Returning to work after maternity leave: how to prepare
Returning to work after months with the baby is often harder than expected, both logistically and emotionally.
Planning the logistics ahead
- Confirm childcare arrangements at least a month before returning, never on the last day
- Test the actual commute and schedule with the new setup
- Build up a stock of pumped milk if you're breastfeeding and continuing remotely
A gentle return
If your employer allows it, a gradual return (part-time the first week, for example) makes the transition much easier, both for you and for the baby adjusting to the new childcare arrangement.
The emotional side
The guilt felt when returning to work is common and normal, it doesn't reflect the quality of your relationship with your child. It usually eases once the new routine settles in.
Negotiating more flexibility
Temporary part-time hours, shifted schedules, or an extra remote-work day are easier to negotiate than you'd think when returning from leave. Prepare your request with concrete points about organisation, rather than justifying it only through tiredness.
If you're pumping at work
- Check in advance whether a dedicated space exists, many countries legally require one
- Bring a portable cooler bag to store pumped milk through the day
- Block fixed slots in your calendar rather than improvising, it makes things easier for your team to plan around
If new gear needs come up with the return to work (a pump, a suitable diaper bag), Kickoala lets you easily add to your existing registry.
