How soon after having a baby can you REALLY go back to childminding?

[iMum]

Ive not long registered and have started looking after a couple of children from school after school but as of may I will be looking after my neighbours little boy for 2 full days a week. Ive just found out I am pregnant. I fully intend to work up until I have the baby (if we get that far) as I have my births induced 4 weeks early due to complications after that time. So as I know exactly when baby will be born (unless he or she comes very early) I can plan work around that. Anyway I had thought I'd like to go back to minding about 4 weeks after baby is born as I have no more than 2 extra children at a time and so far they are no trouble.
Ive got to tell my neighbour asap to give her as much time as poss to organise other care if that is what she wants to do.
Just wondered really how soon you lot think I could really go back to minding after the baby is born and if you think my neighbour will be hacked off or not with me for landing this on her?

Hi there, I know we had another c/m on here who went back that fast 4-6 weeks I think (Lunavix you around?). I am pregnant but have a planned c-section and am taking 12 weeks off to recover.

I think it's entirely up to you and what you'd like to do. I wouldn't worry about neighbour these things happen and are happy occasions. Despite me worrying endlessly about telling my mindees parents they were all very happy for me, despite the inconvenience. Notice is everything, so try and enjoy your pregnancy. Congratulations!

Congrats. Same as crace, was worried sick about parents reactions and they were fab. I WAS going to take 4 weeks off but have changed this to 12 weeks because one mindees mum was worried about me going back too early and not happy about it. So 12 weeks it is and I'm actually a lot happier knowing that

Think lunavix went back earlier but just did after schoolers but I may be wrong?

I used to go to a bf support group, one mum that came a few times was a cm who decided not to take more than a couple of weeks maternity time off - she spent all the time at the group gazing at her new baby and the other child was left to his own devices - in fact the other mums ended up more or less looking after him or entertaining him. Heard she did this at playgroups too.
The mindees mum found another place for him quite soon as she wasn't happy at him being virtually ignored all day.

Not saying that you will behave like that but...

Only take such a short time off if you are sure you will be able to give the mindee the same attention as you do now. I think the 12 weeks like looneytune suggested is a lot fairer on all parties. Otherwise its not fair on the mindee, and certainly not fair on the parent paying you to look after the child!

can't believe that, how awful for poor mindee I'm really looking forward to my 12 weeks now MAINLY because it's time just for us iyswim as I know full well my own baby will then get ignored a lot more whilst I sort mindees out once back working. Sounds awful for my family but my mindees have always come first as they are the ones I'm PAID to look after (not that I neglect my own though!! )

when i nannyed i had my charge upto 3hrs before i gave birth (ds was 2wks early) then went back 2 wks later but it was different as i only had the one charge and my own new baby

hi I worked as a childminder up until 38 weeks pregnant, and went back to it when my baby was 8 weeks old. it was very hard but i eased myself back in gradually lol. i started just 1 day a week then increased to 3 days and was full time by time she was 14 weeks. was lucky as the aprents were understanding and flexible with me