To go back to work 3 months post partum

[winningeasy]

Maybe not reasonable or unreasonable but realistic or unrealistic.

DC1 who will be 22 months when my DC2 is due - she is in nursery 3 mornings a week (just started) but that will likely increase as soon as there is space. We also take her to a childminder one full day and have a nanny in house for another full day.

I was a SAHM for a year with toddler, it was really hard. I work about 25-35 hours a week now which is good as get a bit of time off with her and have time to do housework, but am earning cash and using my brain in different ways. Tbh work feels like a break compared to full time parenting. I enjoy it, am good at what I do, I work from home for my husband's business (so he is understanding - if something comes up I can easily switch hours or work less), he's here 3 days a week and in London the rest of the time.

I would like to start going back to work from 3 months PP, I plan to breastfeed for at least 6 months so thought a wearable pump would help, then nanny come to the house and take baby for 3-4 hour stints (whilst toddler in nursery), feeding with pumped milk or bringing to me upstairs if not able to settle. Then spend the afternoon with toddler (who naps for 2.5 hours usually from 1-3:30pm) and baby, nap with baby whilst toddler naps, catch up on house work, make dinner etc - so aim to work 15-20 hours a week.

Also potty training toddler and renovating a house (just interior work, not too many structural bits)

If anyone has any tips or advice that would be appreciated. Thanks!

Worth adding I had a straight forward vaginal birth with first.

I went back full time five months so I think with a supportive husband and sounds like you’ve no commute and a nanny - it’s doable (I had two in just over 14 months so I was pregnant)

The country I live in gives very little leave, so I went back at 3 months, as do most people. It is tough but doable as long as you're militantly organized and have a good routine going.

What you describe sounds like a lovely set up! I’d go for it.

I went back when my eldest was 4 months and thats just how it worked then. Personally I hated it but I was working full time out of the home, your set up sounds much better!

I took the full year with the other 2 as the rules chanced then.

I went back after 3 months as a very young mum as they were short staffed. Was fine. Quite enjoyed getting out.

It sounds like you have plenty of flexibility so give it a try and see how it goes.
You will get answers on here ranging from someone that was back at work at weeks and others that could barely leave the house at 3 months. All.you can do is try and see how it works for you.

Given you are working for your DH business & have plenty of flexibility & lots of support and no pressure, absolutely.

I went back at 12 weeks with a FT nanny and working from home for three months so I could breastfeed up to 6 months. It worked fine. Can't say I missed Monkey Music or Baby Sensory one bit 😂

yes, many women do, the only thing I would say is your toddler sleeps an extremely long time, and this wont last forever. It might change a lot any day.