To think I can return to work 3-4 weeks after giving birth?

[RoguePudding]

As in title, really. I'm pregnant with my first, self-employed, and if I pass on this assignment because of the baby, I may be without income for much longer than we could afford. What is probably important to know:

• my job is intellectually challenging, but involves no physical labour whatsoever
• I can work from home
• It would be for about 16 hours a week
• 3 weeks would be the worst case scenario. The assignment starts five weeks after my due date
• my husband works fulltime

Is this feasible? Anyone else return to (parttime) work or perhaps studies very quickly?

Again, my comments were directly in response to Starheart who said she thinks you should spend the first few months enjoying your baby. I was just pointing out that it’s possible to enjoy, and bond with, your baby while still doing other things. Otherwise no second/third/subsequent children would have a bond with their parents.

Forgive me for not having RTFT but here is my controversial tuppence worth:

It is do able and as a PP said its when babies hit week 12+ you really need to tune into them so you’re fine for this early stage.

The controversial things I’m suggesting (and it’s only if you really really want and need this work) are as follows:

1. Unless you take to BFing like a duck to water consider mix feeding/expressing breast milk/FF only. The challenges and struggles of BF can really smash some women’s brains up, the pressure is immense and can be FOR SOME all consuming... IMVHO not compatible with working.

1. Get baby into a feeding / napping routine within around 3 weeks of birth so you can to a degree plan your day. Babies don’t really manage “routines” as such until around 8 weeks but you’ll be able to know what you’ve fed and when so you won’t have that preying on your mind when trying to concentrate.

For me, I think if I’d had the opportunity to do what you’ve got on your plate it would have swerved me falling into PND after DD1. Of course every woman’s situation is different and I’m normally well risk averse about anything too close after the birth of a child but in this specific set of working circumstances I’d say do it.

It's doable if you have childcare and support. If you are doing all night time wakings it will be harder to concentrate well though.

SoyDora
Yes I do get what you’re saying, but being at home with your family is not the same as doing paid work & being accountable to a boss.
It’s just extra pressure.
But fwiw, I think what the op is considering is doable. But. as most of us are saying, she’ll never know until the baby is born.

OP of course you can do it. I know plenty of mams who have had exams/ gone back to work within weeks of birth.

I would just have a plan set out for yourself!

Is it possible to have a friend/ family member on back up in case baby is uneasy for an hour or two?

Get some help with housework and holding baby so you can compete some.work.during day.
If it s you alone 7 am.to 7 pm it will be hard to work as well. And you aren't gping to want to spend evenings working.

DS was a full term baby but was in hospital for his first month, and I had crushing mental health problems and cried for his first 9 months. You don't know how things will work out.

Unless you take to BFing like a duck to water consider mix feeding/expressing breast milk/FF only.

Have you ever exclusively (or mostly) pumped? It is quite literally the last thing I’d recommend OP do. Before I pumped I thought it couldn’t be that hard, wouldn’t be that much trouble - I was very much wrong. Pumping longterm was a huge burden for me and a massive factor in developing PND

If I were her I’d try mixed feeding (if she even wants to BF) so that others can feed the baby while she’s working, or bottle feeding but I’d rather put my boobs through a wood chipper than pump longterm again.

Have you ever exclusively (or mostly) pumped? It is quite literally the last thing I’d recommend OP do

As my baby is 15 days old and cannot March for toffee that’s what I’m doing right now @SinkGirl

I only said exclusive pumping not to worry the OP that if she doesn’t EBF that it’s necessarily goodnight vienna for her baby getting bm at every feed.

Agree it’s a fecking hassle.

March?

Latch

Good luck with the pumping! I apologise- I get wound up by people who suggest exclusive pumping like it’s a piece of piss when it was (for me) utter hell. I hope it’s better for you!

I kept up two hourly pumping for 7 months as I didn’t produce enough for both twins. I wish I’d stopped earlier. If you’re struggling with latch then I would definitely spend the money seeing an IBCLC to help her latch and move away from pumping - I wish i had done this!

I went back to work 10 days after having my son and I was absolutely fine. I would say you'll be ok.

I discovered today that Germany introduced 4 weeks maternity leave as a legal requirement in the early 1880s ...

Random fact ...

I started working at home at 2 weeks with my first. It was fine. My baby was quite easy, and was happy breastfeeding while I typed.