Maternity leave over? I can help!
Okay so with my first born I did not go back to work until he was seven months old AND I was in a different state and obviously a new company. That's what happens when you live a military life (another post another time!).
This time I am returning to work three months post-pardum. I am also returning to the same company and same job. In the state of Oregon FMLA (Family Medical Leave Act) requires your employer to allow you your job back at the same pay after your protective three month leave. For me returning to the same company after a maternity leave is foreign, but the concept is still the same.
Going from Stay and Home Mom to Working Mom I have done before. That's why I am here to offer some helpful tips for all the transitioning moms out there. And please share in the comments if you have any other advice other then what I have shared! And with your approval I can also add it to my list. :) Sharing is caring, right?
1. If you are still breastfeeding and plan to pump at work make sure to let your work know ahead of time. By federal law your employer must provide a private space for the nursing mother to pump, that is not to be accessed by anyone else during the time that the mother is pumping. This space cannot be a bathroom. This same law requires your employer to give a break time for the mother to pump for up to one year. Employers with 50 employees or less are not required to allow break times. (See law HERE). Please don't be afraid to speak up to your employer! If you can provide breast milk for your child that is the healthiest option! (See HERE about the tax write off pumping mother's can receive from the IRS!)
Note: My lactation consultant told me that to help maintain my milk supply and to help baby fight off any sickness (babies saliva through breastfeeding can indicate to your body their need of antibodies, like if they are sick, to help fight off colds, etc...) is to actually visit my baby on my lunch break and nurse her every other day. With my busy schedule I may only be able to do it once or twice a week.
2. Practice and establish your morning routine at least a week before you head back to work. I am currently doing this right now. You need to get your baby, yourself, and older children (if any) in a routine. This makes it for a smoother transition once you start work.
3. Prepare your clothes and lunches the night before. My goal for the next month or until I get my routine down is to set out my clothes for work the night before. Also, if you take a lunch to work or if you prepare your older children's/child's lunch the night before it will not only save time but if you had an unexpected, non routine thing come up, you have spare time!
4. Finding a daycare center or babysitter that you can trust. I am thankful that our baby girl will get to go to the same faith based daycare center that my son has been attending now for two years. We know the teachers and they know our family. Also, its great finding a daycare that gives a multi-child discount, ours does! You can also use a resource for Oregon families like the Central Coordination of Child Care Resource and Referral to help you find a state approved daycare/babysitter!
5. Most importantly spend quality time with your family when you aren't at work. This is a big transition for everyone. If you have more than one child make sure each receives independent bonding time as well as activities that families can do together. Dinner time is a great time to sit and relax and to see how everyone's day was!
Welcome back to work mamas!
This time I am returning to work three months post-pardum. I am also returning to the same company and same job. In the state of Oregon FMLA (Family Medical Leave Act) requires your employer to allow you your job back at the same pay after your protective three month leave. For me returning to the same company after a maternity leave is foreign, but the concept is still the same.
Going from Stay and Home Mom to Working Mom I have done before. That's why I am here to offer some helpful tips for all the transitioning moms out there. And please share in the comments if you have any other advice other then what I have shared! And with your approval I can also add it to my list. :) Sharing is caring, right?
1. If you are still breastfeeding and plan to pump at work make sure to let your work know ahead of time. By federal law your employer must provide a private space for the nursing mother to pump, that is not to be accessed by anyone else during the time that the mother is pumping. This space cannot be a bathroom. This same law requires your employer to give a break time for the mother to pump for up to one year. Employers with 50 employees or less are not required to allow break times. (See law HERE). Please don't be afraid to speak up to your employer! If you can provide breast milk for your child that is the healthiest option! (See HERE about the tax write off pumping mother's can receive from the IRS!)
Note: My lactation consultant told me that to help maintain my milk supply and to help baby fight off any sickness (babies saliva through breastfeeding can indicate to your body their need of antibodies, like if they are sick, to help fight off colds, etc...) is to actually visit my baby on my lunch break and nurse her every other day. With my busy schedule I may only be able to do it once or twice a week.
2. Practice and establish your morning routine at least a week before you head back to work. I am currently doing this right now. You need to get your baby, yourself, and older children (if any) in a routine. This makes it for a smoother transition once you start work.
3. Prepare your clothes and lunches the night before. My goal for the next month or until I get my routine down is to set out my clothes for work the night before. Also, if you take a lunch to work or if you prepare your older children's/child's lunch the night before it will not only save time but if you had an unexpected, non routine thing come up, you have spare time!
4. Finding a daycare center or babysitter that you can trust. I am thankful that our baby girl will get to go to the same faith based daycare center that my son has been attending now for two years. We know the teachers and they know our family. Also, its great finding a daycare that gives a multi-child discount, ours does! You can also use a resource for Oregon families like the Central Coordination of Child Care Resource and Referral to help you find a state approved daycare/babysitter!
5. Most importantly spend quality time with your family when you aren't at work. This is a big transition for everyone. If you have more than one child make sure each receives independent bonding time as well as activities that families can do together. Dinner time is a great time to sit and relax and to see how everyone's day was!
Welcome back to work mamas!
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