Who returned to work ASAP?

CageyMack

We're due in March and I'm carrying.  I am trying to line up a new job that may or may not give me much leave.  Might be as little as 3 weeks or as much as 8.  DW has FMLA and other time available, so she will definitely be taking a month off, either at week 4 or week 9.  What have you all done?  Any carrying moms go back to work really quickly and non-carrying moms stay home with baby?

Thanks, ladies! 

2moms2b

I am not sure if this is helpful but I am returning to work within 8 weeks.  It could be as soon as 6 depending on when I go out. 

In order to qualify for my comp plan bonus, I have to be an active employee the first day of the quarter (and active for 80% of the quarter) so I will need to be back active by April 1st.   I did not want to forfeit two quarters bonuses as I will go out too soon the first quarter to be eligible. 

M will not be taking any time off outside the first week we are home so the boys will transition to the nanny when I return to work.

I think it is do-able, not fun by do-able, as my sister returned 3 weeks after going out.  If you plan on breast feeding, my sister just pumped at work and breastfed when home and was able to do it until my niece was 18 months.  She was exhausted as she was still up most of the night but she will tell anyone she did what she had to do and in the long run that was better for her family.  She had a friend watch her daughter for the next 4 weeks as most day cares in her area won't take them until they are 8 weeks.

I think if DW is taking time off after you go back to work then you will be fine as you will be able to sleep at least a few consecutive hours at night.  I think it will be stressful but very doable especially if it is what you have to do. 

EratMama

We are foster parents, in the process of adopting our kids. I had planned to take a week off, and work reduced hours/flex time for a few weeks.

It was a crazy time at work and I ended up barely taking a few days off, then working 55 hours the next week. It was tiring, and hard to leave my peanut. But L was home with him, and I was kind of on a baby high. It gave me more compassion for what we ask of dads, and many moms without FMla or who can't afford unpaid FMla

It is doable.

2mommiesinoh

I went back to work at 7 weeks pp. Ky stayed with family and friends until she was 18m. We could not afford for me to be off of work without pay and I was only guaranteed pay for the 7 weeks.

I worked 2-11 at the time and I did all of the night feedings so I was sleeping maybe 5 hours tops? Ky was usually up around 1 and 5 to eat an then up for the day at 8? She went down for a nap around 12 which was my time to get a shower and get ready for work...

ssg73

I returned to work 6 months after E was born about 11 weeks adjusted.  3 months after she came home and dw stayed home with her until she was 14 months.  DW got laid off 6 weeks before dd was born and I was the only one bringing home a salary and had the insurance.  E was on lock down from October 1-May 1 for RSV and was not allowed to leave the house other than doctors appointments and our parents' house.  She was also unable to attend daycare until 1 year.  So we "chose" for my wife to stay home with E and I work.  It was not pretty I was pumping full time and E was up multiple times a night for feedings still at that point.  We got through it but it certainly took its toll on both dw and I.