Returning to Work
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I have approx. 5 weeks left of maternity leave for my third child. This will be the first time I am returning to work full time in the office (with monthly work travel involved as well). What tips/tricks do you have when it comes to scheduling/managing home and work/childcare hacks/breastfeeding while traveling for work? I’m all ears for anything!
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Well first, just like when you first had your baby compared to now, it takes time to get "good" at something. Those first couple of weeks or months might feel overwhelming because it's a whole new skill juggling your work needs and timeline with a baby. Here are a few of my tips and I'm happy to expand on anything:
- outsource whatever feels painful or is accessible for you financially. get a housecleaner, a mealprepper for 2 nights, a babysitter/mother's helper to help on key nights, etc. It doesn't have to be full time, but you can be strategic. Maybe in those first couple of weeks, hire something like Dinner Elf to make 2 meals a week, just to take it off your shoulders.
- Enact a system that keeps you and your partner on the same page - a paper calendar, a digital to do list, whatever makes sense for you. For me, I have a paper calendar, I write the daily meals, appointments, when my husband or I will be out of town, things that we all need to plan around.
- See if your work will cover breastfeeding shipping if you need that. I've used milk stork when traveling for work and it was great.
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I used to feel guilty for outsourcing until I realized that tasks were getting done WHILE I was in meetings aka when TF was I going to do it?? DUHHHH
I have someone fold and put away my laundry, I Instacart, door dash, my husband and I split drop off/pick up, my kids buy lunch (gasp!), I have a target pick up order about 3 times a week.Put a buffer on your calendar for first thing in the morning. Never start your mornings with meetings bc you just never know what the morning will bring. Try and cluster your meetings, especially by days if you can.
If you can work whichever time zone allows you the most time with your family.
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Also refrigerate your pump parts, def do not wash them every single time. Just refrigerate and wash once every evening. Bring a plastic bag to store them in
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My heart aches for you as I remember the anxiety and physical pain leading up to my return to work. Here to say for me, the lead up was far worse than both returning to work and my first work trip away from my daughter. Some tips that have worked… when pumping, have an album of photos and videos of your little one at the ready for you to watch or if you can FaceTime baby even better. If baby will be home with a caretaker set up some cameras beyond just above crib so you can peak in here and there during the work day. For pumping, keep your schedule as close to your breast feeding schedule times as possible to be the most efficient at milk removal. Don’t schedule too many social engagements // activities on the weekends of your first month.. let your heart heal and soak up your baby as much as you can when you are not at work. It’s tough but you will get through it
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First of all—congratulations on your third baby!
️ Returning to work, especially with travel involved, is a big transition, but with some planning and the right systems in place, it can be manageable. Here are some tips that have helped other working moms in my program with similar situations:Scheduling & Managing Home & Work:
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Time-block your calendar: Schedule dedicated work hours, pumping breaks, and buffer time for transitions between work and home life.
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Delegate where you can: Whether it’s meal prep, housework, or daycare pickups, lean on your support system (partner, family, or even paid help).
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Sunday planning: Take 15-30 minutes each weekend to map out the week ahead—outfits, meals, childcare logistics, and work tasks.
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Streamline the mornings: Prep clothes, bags, and lunches the night before to avoid chaos.
Traveling for Work:
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Set your husband/partner up for success - things like laying out the kids outfits; meal prepping lunches/dinners; reviewing the calendar and activities; solicit help from family or babysitter.
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Find Connection, Even Though You’re Away - Things like making bracelets with your kids and each wearing them while you're gone. When your sad or miss each other you can look at the bracelet. There's teddy bears you can buy on amazon that let you record your voice, and your child can hit the button to hear your voice before bed. Writing notes that you put into the meal prepped lunches. Of course, facetiming in the morning and evening each day so your child can see your face and hear you. Word of advice, depending on the age of your child sometimes Facetime can make it worse if your child is young because they won't understand why you can't hold them.
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Find Connection, Once You Get Home - You can cut out a "flat stanley" and take pictures of your trip and show them to your kids when you get home. One mom even started to draw a comic of her adventure that she read her kids to make it a fun way to learn about different cities/places.
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Ditch the Guilt - Use the time on the flight or in the hotel as a way to catch up on work, so that when you get home you can be fully present and maybe even cut out early to be with your kids.
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Enjoy Time Alone - Work travel is an opportunity for you to get extended periods alone and without interruption. Read, write, pray, mediate, and quiet your soul. Take a deep breathe in and "just be".
Breastfeeding While Traveling:
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Shipping milk: If traveling for multiple days, services like Milk Stork can safely ship your milk home.
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Plan ahead - Find a hotel in advance that has refridgeration options in the room.
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Pack the Essentials - Bring a portable, battery-operated breast pump that fits into your bra directly to ensure you can pump anywhere (ie. the Willow). A manual pump too for a "just in case" item. Pack enough breast milk storage bags, extra pump parts, cleaning supplies, and a cooler with ice packs or a portable fridge.
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Be early to everything - Show up early to airports - so you can pump before take off. Reserve early check-ins at your hotels to facilitate pumping on arrival.
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Be early to everything - Show up early to airports - so you can pump before take off. Reserve early check-ins at your hotels to facilitate pumping on arrival.
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Stay Hydrated - Drink plenty of water and eat nutritious meals to maintain your milk supply.
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Keep a regular pumping schedule - Stick to your usual pumping schedule to maintain your milk supply and avoid discomfort. Aim to pump every 3-4 hours.
Most importantly—give yourself grace. Transitions are hard, but you’re setting an incredible example for your kids.
You’ve got this!
...... and you’re not alone! If you ever need someone to bounce ideas off of or just a little encouragement along the way, I’m here for you. I help working moms navigate these exact challenges—balancing career, home, and everything in between—so if there’s anything I can do to support you, don’t hesitate to reach out.Wishing you a smooth transition back to work!
~Lauren
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So many great answers but definitely outsourcing the home life to-do’s and being brave enough to set boundaries in all areas, with your spouse, with your boss, with friends, etc.
Also remember it’s a season and every single day you do it, the next day gets easier.
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Mom of 2 here -- every transition is hard!!! And you know, time passes and you get used to the new normal but I agree with the commenter above -- the anticipation/lead up is worse than the actual event sometimes!
One of my girlfriends told me she puts her kids in their school clothes the night before (at first I was horrified!). It only works with specific outfits, leggings/soft pants etc. and you still have to take off the pull-up and put on undies. But she removed the negotiation from their morning routine, and ..... mornings are running more smoothly! Which I need more of in my house!!!
Good luck. We're in your pocket!
