Going back into FT work fairly early

[GinkgoBiloba]

Hi everyone, first time poster here. My partner and I are about to start TTC for the first time. I was wondering what your experiences were going back into FT work a few months after having a child. Did anyone go back after only 4/5 months? If so, when did you go back and what was it like for you?

My situation: I am self-employed (so no maternity leave, only maternity allowance which is quite low). My contracts tend to be full-time and lasting between 2-5 months. It’s difficult to get part-time contracts in my area of work, so it’s either all or nothing.

I’m obviously planning to take time off for the first months, but depending on what happens, I might be looking at going back into work before 6 months have gone by. I’m the main breadwinner, I love my job, and my partner should be able to take a few more months off if I decide to go back to work fairly ‘early’.

I’m aware that it’s different for everyone, and that I might completely change my mind about everything once/if we have a baby, but I was just curious to know how realistic it is for a new mother to consider the possibility of going back into full time work when the baby is quite small i.e. 4/5 months old...whilst dad takes longer leave or works part time.

Really appreciate your thoughts x

Personally I couldn't do it but many people do. I currently have DS2 who is 3months. I freelance and had a weeks work booked in for when he would be 4months. I cancelled it just recently. I just don't think I can leave him all day for a full week. I'd had this work booked in just before DS was born and thought "no problem" but drastically changed my mind now he's here.

Would you breastfeeding? That might make quite a difference.

Thanks for your reply @HumunaHey - like you, I have various contracts lined up and one of them would be starting either a year after giving birth, or only a few months after - totally depends on how quickly we conceive! I'll have to play that one by ear depending on how things go.

I'm hoping to breastfeed for a few months but probably not that long, as I'll have to get back on some medication that isn't compatible with pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Both my partner and I are keen to share the time we spend with the baby in the first few months so that he/she gets used to being with dad as well as mum, so that if he/she stays mainly with dad when I go back to work it won't be such a big issue - but not sure how realistic that is, as we've never had babies :)

Went back to work at 6 months with both my babies-my husband took 6 months leave though so there wasn’t the ‘guilt’ of sending them into paid childcare…. It worked well for us, my job is important to me and the family as I am the higher earner, husband got some proper hands on time with the babies not just bath and bed as he came in the door of an evening. Currently pregnant with #3 and planning 3 months of leave while DH takes 9 months but much wfh now which will make a huge difference compared with being out of the house. I bf the first two til they were 2 so being at work full time didn’t impact that! I think you have to do what feels right for you and your family

Thanks for sharing your experience - I think we'd be aiming to do something similar. Good luck with baby number 3!