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Going Back to Work After the Baby Arrives

Joyce Morse

September 17, 2015

One of the biggest struggles new mothers face is the decision of when to go back to work.

They may not want to be a stay-at-home mother or be able to afford to, and yet, the worries about leaving their newborn surface.

Another issue that working women must deal with is getting back into the work routine.

Full-Time or Part-Time

Depending on the small business, a woman may have the option of going back to work part-time for a few weeks before increasing her hours to full-time.

This option could have major benefits to both the employer and employee. It allows her to transition slowly and still spend quite a bit of time with her baby.

She may have more options for part-time childcare with family, which will enable her to feel more comfortable leaving the little one.

The benefit for the employer is that the duties of the new mother that were delegated to others can be given back slowly.

She can be updated by others about what has happened in her absence. The transition period may move slower with this option, but it will be less stressful and more seamless.

If the new mother decides that part-time will fit her budget and schedule best for the first few weeks or months, she should approach her employer about the option.

She should present it to him or her and show how it will be beneficial to the company as well.

Dealing with Co-Workers

When a new mother returns to work in a small office, she may have a period of readjustment.

She will feel out of the loop and her co-workers may treat her differently.

Some may resent the work that was put off on them while others may not be sure how to treat her now that her status has changed.

If a new employee has been hired in her absence, the transition may be even more complicated.

Because it is a small office, everyone works closely together. The atmosphere may feel awkward for a few days, as if she were a new employee instead of a returning one.

Depending on the situation, the employer could host a welcome-back lunch or ask everyone to bring in snacks to celebrate the employee's return. This turns the day into a fun event and allows everyone to acknowledge the changes in a positive way.

What are the Expectations?

If the mother will be taking off more days for doctor's appointments, it would be best if everything were planned in advance and put out in the open. This helps everyone know what to expect ahead of time and prevents negative feelings if they have extra work to do or a shift to cover.

As the article, “Top 5 Post Natal Changes No One Ever told You About”, mentions, the new mother will go through physical changes after her pregnancy. She may not always feel her best.

It is important that she prepare for those issues and that her employer supports her as she deals with the changes in energy levels.

Becoming a new mother changes the dynamics in a work environment.

She may miss more days at work because of a sick child or appointments and her mind will always be divided. However, that doesn't mean she can't do her job.

In fact, she may even perform better at work now that she has more responsibilities in her life to focus on.

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