Returning to the workforce after time off to have a baby is not only physically exhausting but it’s also an emotional time. Leaving your baby or kids in care can be tough, but so is having to return to a work environment after being at home for months.
You’ll have to be extremely organised but you’ll also have to cut yourself some slack, a lot of things have changed since you left work. Here are a few tips to make heading back to work after maternity leave a little easier for you. 
1. Dress for success
Cut yourself some slack and please don’t try to squeeze yourself into your pre-kid clothes. Your body changes in so many ways once you’ve had babies and it takes awhile for things to settle down. Treat yourself to a few comfy clothes so you aren’t feeling self conscious at work.
Tip: Let your fingers do the hard work and shop online, you’ll get some great advice from clothing websites and blogs such as Styling You. 
2. Stock up on essentials
Once you’re back working out of the home you’ll have less time to prep for meals, especially dinners. Buy a few healthy meals to have in the freezer for when you run out of time to avoid munching on junk food. Prepare a week’s worth of healthy snacks to take with you so you’re not tempted to raid the vending machine or fundraising chocolate stash.
3. Fake it til you make it
Walk in to your place of work with those shoulder back and high and a huge smile on your dial, this will let everyone know your back and ready to roll. If things get a little too much don’t forget you can duck out for a quick breather to call whoever is minding your baby, better to check up than be worried all day.
Hint: Treat yourself to a mani and pedi if you have time before you head back to work – you totally deserve it!
4. Write yourself some notes
Remembering all the things in the morning won’t be easy when you’re dealing with broken sleep and a hectic schedule. Have a set of notes on the kitchen bench, in the car and at work. You don’t want to get all the way to work and have forgotten to drop off your baby because they fell asleep in the car and were quiet – this is actually a common occurrence!
5. Learn to say no
When you’re asked to take on extra work or stay late don’t say yes straight away, say ‘let me get back to you’. This will give you breathing space for you to figure out whether you do have time or if it’s not possible. Don’t feel obligated to make up for those months off and remember you’ve got nothing to prove. You don’t want to end up like this mum…
6. Do a practice run of your day
Before that first day do a dummy run of exactly what you’ll be doing. You will get an idea of what the traffic will be like, how long it takes to give daily instructions for your baby and what time you need to wake up in the morning. A little extra breathing space is always a good thing.
7. Take your boss for a coffee
On your first day back, or during the first week, have lunch or a coffee with your boss, make sure it’s out of the office so you’ve got privacy from colleagues. Find out what’s changed while you’ve been away and ask your boss what their top priorities are for you. Now is the time to suss out if flexible working arrangements are possible.
Don’t forget: If you’re breastfeeding don’t forget to invest in a good breast pump, nursing pads and any other essentials. Oh and get a framed photo of your precious bubba to tide you over until home time.
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