Going back to work - baby 11 weeks old

[Bex2110]

Hi all.
DS was born end March and will be 11 weeks old next week. I am currently on mat leave and had planned to return to work in January. However, due to COVID (bloody COVID) my husband has been furloughed and is now on 80 % wages and I’m only receiving statutory mat pay. We aren’t sure what will happen with DH job in the long run.

I am now thinking that it may be best for me to return to work (part time, 30 hours) in order to build up some ‘reserves’ just in case the worst happens with DH job. My job would allow me to work from home until baby was at least 6 months old. He is exclusively breast fed at the moment and I’m reluctant to stop feeding him.

Do you think it is feasible for me to return to work next week?

I should have said pay, not hours

I am very pro-breastfeeding, but I think in these circumstances having a stable income is going to benefit your kid more. However I know for a fact I wouldn't have been ready to return to work at 11 weeks postpartum. I'm due back any day now and I still don't feel ready and my 1 year old nurses like a newborn still.
If your employer can guarantee you time to nurse on demand, to hold your baby and establish the physiological relationship between you both, and understands your workload may need lightening then I would consider it, however you need to talk to your husband about the options he can look at such as immediate start, no skilled jobs too. Returning to work too soon is a big factor for postnatal depression and he needs to be offering support where possible.

I went back to wfh full time when DD was 14 weeks, with my husband becoming primary carer. Shes 7m now and still breastfed, the situation has worked really well for us.

I have no idea whether financially/job security wise this is the right call for your family, but practically it is absolutely doable.

It sounds ideal. Part time, wfh for another few months and your DH at home. I’d do it. Just think of an alternative care plan as backup if your DH gets returned to work sooner than you think