Going back to work after having a child comes with feelings of excitement and even nervousness. Here are our tips to help your re-entry to the workplace go as smooth as possible.
Tip 1: Dress to distress
Depending on where you work, you may have a particular uniform to wear or dress code to follow. Consider what you usually wear and think about how you can modify it to be more comfortable. For example, maybe you can wear pants with an elastic waist instead of a standard pair. Talk to your employer to see what is okay and not okay, after all, you will have enough to do just getting back into the swing of things, don’t be uncomfortable while doing it.
Tip 2: Try to adjust your schedule
If you’ve gotten used to taking several short naps during the day or any other habit that would be impossible to maintain while working, try to adjust yourself to perhaps just one nap around lunch time that you are already accustomed to your work schedule once it’s time to follow it again.
Tip 3: Stake out pumping locations
Companies are required to give you an area where you can pump in private. Find out ahead of time where that location is and how you can access it. Some places require you to reserve a space while others may give you special access to it. Get all of this sorted ahead of time to avoid last-minute grief.
Tip 4: Try to ease back in
Some companies offer part-time work and will allow you to take advantage of it for a while in order to readjust to working. Or, see if you can come back a couple days before your leave ends to work a few hours while you get things back in order. If nothing else, consider coming back to work near the end of the work week so you aren’t going five days straight.
Tip 5: Bring EVERYTHING
Pack yourself a big bag full of things you think you might need. Here are some things to consider: a picture of your family, a change of clothes, wet wipes, snacks, comfortable shoes, breast pump and nursing pads, small fan. Whatever you decide to bring, have it packed and ready to go the night before.
