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I went back to work full time after 3 months. Would be interested in when other mums went back full time as I feel like I went back really early compared to most people. Would be nice to hear others have too!

DD1 = 12 weeks
DD2 = 10 weeks

At the time, it was what I wanted and I was ready to go back. If I did it again now though (dd2 is 14 so v unlikely!) I'd take all the leave I could get.

DS was 4.5 months. No one to cover my work (not the sort of thing you can get a temp for), and closest colleague had twins 7 weeks after ds was born.

I don't regret it - tbh, I hated maternity leave

I went back part time when DD was 7mo. After a year of part time, I am more than ready for full time (have been for a while), and I think she is ready for 5 days of childcare too.

My best friend at work went back after 3 months after both of her children though.

Some families it suits, others it doesn't.

I went back at 7mo and I'm the first in my group. Most went back between 9 and 12mo as you get into the unpaid part of maternity leave.

When my youngest was 11 (years). Had been part time since she was 5.

Yeah it seems to work with us. People always pull a face and ask 'isn't that a bit early? she needs to be with her parents' etc but she's a very happy little baby. Sleeps well, eats well, smiles constantly.... Couldn't ask for more! Thankyou everyone for your replies

Five months. DH was SAHP. In retrospect I wish I'd waited a bit or started back part time, it put a lot of pressure on us as a couple all but I worked in a small team and they were really struggling.

Most Mums I knew waited 9 - 12 months, about 1/2 didn't go back at all so I too got "faces".

Glad it's worked for you OP, ignore people's comment and trust your judgement!

DD1: I left and then got a new job full time when she was 2 and a half
DS1: Went back full time when he was 8 months
DS2: went back full time when he was 6 months
DD2: went back part-time when she was 18 months, and I am still part-time now and she is 2 and a half.

I think full time so early on was hell for me, I found it very stressful for different reasons each time. Part-time has its own downsides but my stress levels are definitely lower. For me it was between leaving work and keeping my career (barely) alive, but then again I do have 4 very young children and no family support, so I think that makes quite a big difference.

If it works for you then go for it, I also had a lot of criticism for going back full time, interestingly the 2 people who were the most fiercely critical of my choice are both back in work full time now whilst I have gone part-time!!

I never went back to work as I couldn't do it. Of course it's up to the individual what they choose to do. For us it was an easy decision as I would never have been able to afford to work. The car, fuel, childcare for two then three children, work wardrobe, a holiday (because we would need one). I thought at first I would miss it but my life is so fullfilled both in and out of the home. I have plenty of adult company as kids are all at school / college now. I shop, have hobbies and various interests and life has never been so good as when I stopped work during first pregnancy. Staying at home doesn't have to be boring life is what you make it and yours for the taking.

Eight months. Dd will be ten months when I go back in June.

I've never worked full time since having kids, thank god

am skint though

I went back 3 full days when DD was 9 mo then back to FT 6 months later.

DS was 3mo, that's the maximum maternity leave in the US. It wasn't as bad as i expected although i still feel horribly guilty dropping him off each morning. Whilst I was on mat leave I was getting his pictures done at a portrait studio and the photographer mentioned she'd had a baby. I asked how old and she said '3 weeks', she wasn't eligible for maternity leave and had just used her holiday (a whole whopping 10 days of it) and the baby was with her mother whilst she worked

14 months the first time, 5 years the next! Have either worked full time or not worked.

I still don't work full time and DC are 15 and 16.

I work 9-3 while they are in school.

I may never work full-time again.

DC1 - 3 months

DC2 - 9 months

Went part time when DC1 started school (working school hours)

5.5 months full time with both DCs. Was planning to go back a bit earlier with each (didn't get maternity pay, only maternity allowance), but had some health issues after DC1's birth I needed to sort out, and then DC2 was such a terrible sleeper that I wouldn't have been able to function at work any earlier (and barely did at 5.5 mths).

I worked until I went into labour and with the first 3 went back after 2 weeks of my holiday full time. With the twins I was dealing with work the next day. It's a lot easier than looking after a load of small babies all day. Much more restful.

DS1: 11 months (was going to be 10 but at last-minute nursery space got delayed)
DS2: 10 months (with worries til last minute whether nursery space avail on Tues and Thurs)

I enjoyed both maternity leaves greatly, DS1 was in nursery while I had DS2 leave so was able to spend one-on-one time with both boys. In both cases though I was definitely ready to go back by end of leave and it's gone fine. I enjoy my work and it's not really one that could be done part-time.

What helped:
- being able to afford a long matleave, otherwise would have been around six months (there's only one nursery in town now taking children < 10months so would probably have needed CM or nanny; two years ago my nursery was still taking 4-month olds)
- home, work, nursery, school, afterschool all within a ten-minute drive - am very lucky in this, don't think it would work otherwise as we have no family support locally and DH works the other side of London on a horrible commute
- when DS1 started nursery DH was still working locally so we were able to share unexpected sickness cover for all the new bugs; DH changed jobs ahead of DS2 but fortunately <touch wood> lots less sick days for DS2 I think he picked up some immunity from his brother
- having done the same job previously and built up a good reputation so transition back in went smoothly - have now moved on to different role

I'm just about to start full-time work again after leaving my part-time job last year. My DCs are 5 and 3, and I am feeling very happy to go back. My life has rather imploded and I cannot rely on my husband for any income, so I am very glad that I didn't take too long out of the workplace and can find a job that will support me and the DCs. Scary times.

In a way, I think the baby stage is an easier time to leave them, childcare is continuous, they are well cared for and given all they need. Mine are now 4 and 6 and I am starting to wish I didnt work as much. I wish i could do friends back for tea, and see all the school things, and chat about school whilst they can still rtemember ( its all a blur by pick up time!). i never really felt like this when they were babes.

I do mange to do friends etc in school hols, but, when my friends are now starting to up their hours, I wish I could reduce mine!! ( Doesnt help that work is rubbish at the mo!) Sorry if this is not an appropriate response, just a personal moan and wish really!

Well, I pick mine up at 3ish and still don't get any information from them!

Thanks ! I cant reduce my hours, so need to stop moaning. They love their cm and dont ask for the things I am missing, I'm just getting a good old dose of mothers guilt. Sorry for whinging on a positive thread!