Post your going back to work tips here

Def iPod. I now look forward to my hour of sitting on a bus

peacemaker the drop in supply is normal as far as I can see - DS made up for it by feeding more at night. I think I managed to express a ridiculous amount like 18-20oz on my first day - it was down to 5-6 by the time I stopped expressing (when DS was 10 months). I also found it fluctuated day to day as well. Try not to worry: your LO will learn to adapt

Think about how lovely it will be to have lunch on your own, even if it's at your desk.

If you have any worries in the early weeks, call the nursery or childminder and don't feel bad about it.

Give the commute a try before you go back - I soon realised I hadn't factored in enough time for changing trains and had to cut back my hours slightly to get to the nursery in time to pick dd up.

If commuting by public transport, get some good books in or load up your ipod, and treat it as special 'me' time rather than a chore.

Don't listen to anyone else's opinions on your work/childcare situation.

Do a load of washing per evening so it doesn't pile up at the weekends - soon becomes second nature.

Work really hard in the first few weeks so your boss realises you are just as committed as you were before you went on maternity leave. Then stealthily start Mumsnetting .

Funnily enough EffiPeriene (or not as a the case is) that happened to me a couple of weeks ago, someone walked in on me - and yes, I've had a few tears at the way the amount of milk I'm expressing is gradually going down for no apparent reason

Make plans A,B,C & D for what you will do if when your LO is ill in the first few weeks back.

Plan A - especially if you are going back to the same job/manager - warn them, especially if they don't have DC themselves, that there is a high probability they will get bugs in their first few weeks at childminder/nursery

Plan B - keep some holiday (I tacked too much of mine on to the end of mat leave and was left v. short of options)

Plan C - if it is at all practicable for you to work from home on occasion, get set up for it now so that you can test it out before you have to do it in an emergency.

Plans D,E, etc - line up those emergency childcare favours!! If your LO is really ill then obviously you want to be with them but if they are fine but can't go back to nursery/whatever because (for example) they have to stay home for 48 hours after D&V stops, then grandparents/friends/other relations really come into their own

Other than that - remember to enjoy all the good things about working and try not to talk about your LO all the time to your colleagues

your not you're

Enjoy the time you will have to have a coffee/go to the shop/sit down in peace

If you're expressing, make sure the door is lockable or get a sign to hang on the doorknob - you do not want the post chap to walk in on you when you are swearing and sniffing cos you're milk supply has gone down

Again, if you're bfing you don't HAVE to express loads of times a day - see what you can manage

Make sure you get plenty of rest in the early days/weeks to adjust

Make the most of your time at home - don't rush around doing housework

Remember to spend some of your hard-earned cash on YOURSELF

And yes, it can be easier than you think.

Wear a dressing gown over your work clothes until you leave the house.

Allow an extra 10mns for that last-minutes pooey nappy that your young one will produce.

i went back when DS was 6 months old to work fulltime

The anticipation of going back is usually much worse

the best thing i found was being really happy with DS's nursery - if you aren't happy with your childcare then you won't be happy at work as you will be worrying about it

make sure you have arranged a settling in period with your childcare provider so you are all happy and know what to expect

pack bags for everyone the night before

arrange (if poss) to go in a few mins later than normal to work on the first day back so you don't feel too under pressure

give yourselves at least 3 months to really settle in and get into the routine of getting out of the house

be kind to yourself those first few days and weeks - it is ok to either feel totally joyous or crappy or a mixture of those feelings!

oh and ignore raised eyebrows and snotty comments about your choices because they are the right ones for you and your family

Remember, work time is time paid to mumsnet without the distraction of a baby

If still breastfeeding take a spare shirt in case of sudden leakage. It happened to me on my first day back, I thought I was doing so well til I spotted the two damp patches.

Practise leaving your baby with people so the first day back at work isn't the first day you've been apart for more than 5 minutes.

Pencil in some positive things about going back to work - lunch with friends, or a shopping trip on the way home, or just a coffee at your desk. Then enjoy them.

I also found it a pleasure going back to work, quite early, each time.

dont presuem it will be bad.
i didnt cry at all
and was so surised. everone said "oh poor oyu that will eb tough" apaprt from my sister hwo said" oh youll love it and baby will eb fine"

and i did, and he was.
so BE POSITIVE to mums hwo ARE goin back.