When you return to work after having a baby, you’ll likely be compelled to make some adjustments. Though having a new baby is an exciting time, it’s also incredibly demanding and exhausting.

It’s a fact that 43% of women leave the workforce within three months of childbirth. This statistic might be rather startling; it hints at the difficulties many new mothers face when they try to balance their work and family lives.

Unfortunately, too many companies are still behind the times when it comes to supporting employees with families, so the burden falls mostly on new moms. The lack of support for women in the workplace is frustrating, but it’s a reality that must be faced.

While the extra burden that will likely be placed on you is frustrating, you can take steps to empower your choices and make use of existing networks and support systems. As you transition back to work after maternity leave, you might need to look for support from others around you.

Your employer should have strategies or initiatives in place, and you should make sure to ask about potential options. But the adjustment may still be stressful. If you need tips on what support might be available to you, or how to work with your employer to receive lactation care benefits, read this guide. 

Set Up Good Communication and Boundaries in Your Job

As you return to work, it’s vital to speak to your boss or manager about your new situation. We hope you were able to get a reasonable amount of time off for maternity leave.

In the best-case scenario, your management will understand that the transition back to work may take further time. Try to explain if you need to adjust your schedule.

The sooner you can communicate your particular needs, the better. Open communication will give your employer and/or manager extra time to work with you and change things around if necessary.

Ask About Policies That Support Working Parents 

Many mid-to-large companies already have some policies or initiatives in place to support working parents. If you’re a new mother, this is a good time to ask about them and make good use of them.

You might be unaware of the options if they weren’t apparent before; try to take advantage of any available benefits. For example, see if your workplace offers healthcare assistance for parents, such as professional lactation support. To get the conversation started, you can share your common pain points with your HR team. Let your employer know that parents miss work more than twice as often when their babies aren’t breastfed and introducing a lactation care program can boost post-maternity leave retention from 59% to 92%. 

It’s also wise to ask about workplace policies for issues like family emergencies or sick children. 

Seek Out Support Networks

Being a new mom can be isolating, especially at first. Taking care of a baby is demanding work and often thankless, but don’t let yourself go through it alone. Speaking to a lactation consultant can help you feel more comfortable and confident with your breastfeeding journey and help address any breastfeeding challenges you may have questions on.

Another tip is to rely on support networks around you as much as you can. These may consist of your close friends and family, but you could also look online, locally, or at your job for support groups. 

Talking to other parents with similar experiences is good for mental health. You may find solid support from your coworkers. Just remember it’s essential to prioritize your emotional and mental well-being, too. 

Advocate For Yourself

Though you are probably making many significant changes to your life already, it’s worth putting energy into advocating for yourself as both a mom and a career person. It’s not often easy to balance these two roles, especially when workplaces and laws are not as supportive as they could be. Ask your employer if a lactation program is currently offered at your company, and if it isn’t, let them know that you’re interested in getting access to expert lactation care, essential products, and vital resources for new parents.

You’ll feel better if you seek support when you need it and advocate for the balance you deserve in your career. Finding those essentials and communicating your needs to your workplace will go a long way in helping ease the transition back to work after the birth of your child.