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Tips for going back to work?

hsbbridehsbbride
in D.C. Area Babies

I'm scheduled to go back to work the week of the 22nd. I'm comtemplating pushing it off until the following week, but I know that is just avoidance on my part. I may still do it, if I decide it will make me feel better. :)

Anyways, any tips, tricks, suggestions for making the transition from maternity leave to working mom any easier?  I'm planning to go back on a Wednesday so my first week is short, but anything other than that? Thanks!

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Re: Tips for going back to work?

  • vtkgirl77vtkgirl77

    My tips are:

    1. Have a conversation with your spouse about the morning game plan in terms of who will do what in the morning and a general time schedule. For example, what time will you both get up, when is each person showering, who will feed the baby, etc. Make sure you have enough time and a general idea of who is doing what.

    2. Make your target time for leaving the house 15 minutes earlier than it should be. For example, in order for me to get to work on time, I have to leave the house with the kids at 8am. So, we make our "target time" to leave the house 7:45 which gives us a little wiggle room.

    3. Do everything possible that you can the night before. I get all of my bottles ready the night before. I put all of my stuff by the door or in the car. Sometimes I also shower the night before.

    I just went back to work on Monday and it went really well. I wasn't late and even with two kids, it wasn't too stressful. Good luck.

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  • clarajclaraj

    I totally agree with everything vtkendra said, especially the part about discussing with your DH who does what in the a.m.

    If you are going to pump at work, invest in an extra set of pump parts. It saves time having to wash pump parts at the office.

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  • preissless1preissless1

    It helped me to have a short list of what needed to be packed in the morning (frozen milk for the diaper bag, ice pack for pumped milk, etc) for the first week or two for me to double check in my sleepy stupor as I left for work.

    When I transitioned, I didn't work on Wednesdays for the first few weeks back.  It allowed me to only be away from the baby for two days at a time.  It was more for me than it was for him, but it was nice.

    Good luck!

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  • DCtoLowcountryDCtoLowcountry

    ETA: Just saw you're planning to go back on a Wed - good idea! GL!

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  • Hey JellisyHey Jellisy
    You got lots of great advice, so I am just going to write with encouragement.  It's hard at first, but once you get settled into the new routine it gets a lot easier.  Give yourself permission to feel sad and also give yourself permission to enjoy work as well.  You'll do great!
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  • slukd79slukd79 member

    I just wanted to let you know that the anticipation of going back to work was awful for me. Once I was there, it wasn't as bad as I had built it up to be. Eventually, day by day, it got better and better. I am back to working and loving it.

    GL!

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  • VTeach06VTeach06 member
    Buy an extra set of bottles, so that you can throw the used ones in the dishwasher that night and not have to worry about cleaning them or finding them!  Also, make and label the bottles the night before and lay out everyone's clothes!
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  • hollacehollace
    I go back the 22nd as well and the one thing I noticed this morning (better today then the 22nd!) was that I didnt have enough collection bottles if Im going to be handing over my milk from the previous day.  I have plenty of pump parts, but only the 4 collection bottles the pump came with and 2 4 oz bottles (I also have separate bottles for the sitter to keep at her home).
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  • SofkaSofka

    can you work P/T for a few weeks? 3 days the 1st week,then 4 the next and then back full time?

    it does get easier and feel free to call your child's care-taker as often as you need to in the beginning, good luck!

     

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  • mssaintmssaint
    I did 2 days back (W and F), then 3 days (M, W, F), then 4 days (M, T, R, F) and then back full time. It felt good to transition slowly. It let me read through old emails and meet with my team and people didn't really feel like I was back yet so they let me off easy :-)

    I second all the advice about having stuff ready the night before. I pack my pump parts and collection bottles for the next day right away when I get home and try to pack my lunch, too. It's good to be able to grab and go.

    LO stays home with DH right now so I am lucky we don't have to juggle getting ready and dropping off the baby. But it can still be hectic.

    I will say that work does feel like a nice break sometimes. It's nice to have adult conversation and have time to breathe! And to feel productive in a way other than keeping a very small person alive.
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