New mothers, how to make a smooth return to work

If you decide to go back to work after having a child, give yourself time to adjust. It’s natural to miss your baby and even feel sad at times. Small steps like these can make it easier:

• If possible, return gradually by slowly increasing the number of days you work per week.
• Do some tasks at home during your maternity leave such as answering e-mails or online research.
• Before you return, visit the office to catch up on company news and introduce your baby to your co-workers.
• If you’re still nursing, talk to your employer about a private room where you and other new moms may be able to pump breast milk.
• Allow at least two weeks to prepare for the time when you’ll first be away from your baby. You can start alternating breast and bottle feeding when your baby is three to four weeks old.
• Try to find child care near your workplace and arrange to leave your child there once or twice before you start work. Ask the caregiver to feed the baby while you’re gone.
• Get support from other working moms at your workplace or through organizations like the La Leche League (www.lalecheleague.org) or the National Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies Coalition (www.hmhb.org).

Source: American Academy of Pediatrics