https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Mon, 13 Apr 2026 15:41:00 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/after-birth-when-would-you-have-ideally-gone-back-to-work/page/2#post-1879170 Fri, 26 Sep 2014 16:21:08 +0000 Astro Bee 1879170@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm planning 9-10 months, with DH taking 2-3. Maternity leave is actually very reasonable in Canada - we will both get full salary, and get to share 12 months. Lots of bonding and breastfeeding time. We are also planning a vacation in there somewhere later on, either with or without baby. Sweden's maternity leave is actually much better, I think I heard 18 mos? Still, the very least I could consider that I'd be comfortable with is 6 mos. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/after-birth-when-would-you-have-ideally-gone-back-to-work/page/2#post-1879120 Fri, 26 Sep 2014 15:41:55 +0000 mrsjyw 1879120@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I was off for three months w ds. I also worked from home the last five wks of pregnancy. I went back to a flex schedule of wfh and woh and the transition was smooth. Next time I plan on taking an extra month off. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/after-birth-when-would-you-have-ideally-gone-back-to-work/page/2#post-1879000 Fri, 26 Sep 2014 14:06:29 +0000 Mrs.Someone 1879000@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I don't have a good answer for you, but I can tell you where I'm at at 6w PP.</p> <p>It would be impossible for me to go back to work now, unless I wanted to exclusively pump (or use formula)... Baby is having trouble getting enough milk out of the breast, so I have to continue getting him to work on it, while also pumping after each feed. We're also having visits with an LC and a therapist to fix the problem ASAP. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/after-birth-when-would-you-have-ideally-gone-back-to-work/page/2#post-1878976 Fri, 26 Sep 2014 13:52:22 +0000 yoursilverlining 1878976@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Ideally 6 months. Anymore than that and it would have been much harder on me to go back to work, as she became easier and so much more fun after 6 months. It was easier for me to go back to work when things were rougher; if that makes any sense! lol</p> <p>In reality, I went back to work after 13 weeks off which was fine. I was itching to get back to doing something mentally stimulating during the day. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/after-birth-when-would-you-have-ideally-gone-back-to-work/page/2#post-1878966 Fri, 26 Sep 2014 13:48:44 +0000 Mrs.KMM 1878966@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Ideally: NEVER!</p> <p>That's why we delayed TTC until we'd been married over 4 years. We wanted to make sure that DH was making enough that we could lose my salary and have me stay at home :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/after-birth-when-would-you-have-ideally-gone-back-to-work/page/2#post-1878918 Fri, 26 Sep 2014 13:05:38 +0000 gilmoregirl 1878918@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I started to feel ready-ish at 4 months, which is when I would have gone back had I not taken the semester off. I'm going back at 9.5 months instead. </p> <p>I am at 6 months right now, and this would be a great time to go back. He's more independent and less high maintenance (ie, he allows people other than me to feed him and put him to sleep, hurrah), but hasn't developed any real stranger/separation anxiety yet.</p> <p>I'm also starting to go a little crazy being home. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/after-birth-when-would-you-have-ideally-gone-back-to-work/page/2#post-1878827 Fri, 26 Sep 2014 12:02:46 +0000 Adira 1878827@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@daniellemybelle: Agreed! </p> <p>When I was pumping during my maternity leave, I was only able to get 0.5 - 1 oz after nursing. I built up a decent freezer stash (~70 oz), but that was over 12 weeks. And I also had to use some of that stash during those first 12 weeks when I had nipple trauma that I needed to let heal and couldn't nurse (I pumped instead, but never pumped as much as Xander drank). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/after-birth-when-would-you-have-ideally-gone-back-to-work/page/2#post-1878796 Fri, 26 Sep 2014 11:42:09 +0000 daniellemybelle 1878796@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MrsKoala: @mdf106: It's tripping me out that you both have koala pictures! :) </p> <p>If you are able to pump significantly more than your baby needs at work and build a stash without extra pumping sessions, you technically do have an oversupply! Not that that's a bad thing but it is uncommon to be able to pump extra with just a couple pumping sessions at work, so @Adira: had a really good point. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/after-birth-when-would-you-have-ideally-gone-back-to-work/page/2#post-1878771 Fri, 26 Sep 2014 11:28:14 +0000 blackbird 1878771@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>12 weeks is ok and I'll do it again but as much as I was ready, 6 months is ideal because of sleep! So tired </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/after-birth-when-would-you-have-ideally-gone-back-to-work/page/2#post-1878727 Fri, 26 Sep 2014 10:57:15 +0000 mrs. tictactoe 1878727@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I went back when Liam was 4.5 months old and I wanted more time. It was really hard at first. Ideally, I'd like a year, but 6 months would be good, too. With breastfeeding and pumping, before 6 months is hard when you are their primary source for nutrition. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/after-birth-when-would-you-have-ideally-gone-back-to-work/page/2#post-1878715 Fri, 26 Sep 2014 10:46:07 +0000 Rainbow Sprinkles 1878715@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I went back to work at 16 weeks after W (PT) and at 5 weeks with M (about 28 hours a week). 5 weeks was a complete nightmare. In fact, enough of a nightmare that i quit my job when she was 5.5 months old.</p> <p>16 weeks felt a lot better, but 5-6 months would have been ideal! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/after-birth-when-would-you-have-ideally-gone-back-to-work/page/2#post-1878708 Fri, 26 Sep 2014 10:43:59 +0000 MrsKoala 1878708@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mdf106: Agreed. It is possible. I went back at 6 weeks without any freezer stash and I didn't have an oversupply either. I've been able to build my stash to 200 oz and we are still going strong breastfeeding/pumping at almost 8 months without ever supplementing. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/after-birth-when-would-you-have-ideally-gone-back-to-work/page/2#post-1878702 Fri, 26 Sep 2014 10:39:22 +0000 LuLu Mom 1878702@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>12 weeks is what I take, ideally I would stay home 6 months. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/after-birth-when-would-you-have-ideally-gone-back-to-work/page/2#post-1878699 Fri, 26 Sep 2014 10:38:09 +0000 mdf106 1878699@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I was able to successfully breastfeed after going back to work at 6 weeks, and I never had an oversupply, although I did have a good supply. Until 12 weeks, I nursed LO at lunch and pumped twice a day. I transitioned to pumping three times a day, and shortly to twice a day. In my early days I was pumping significantly more than LO was eating, so I built a good stash. I was able to use that stash when my supply declined later, and I never had to supplement. My stash ran out on LO's first birthday. It was something I was worried about, but it is possible. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/after-birth-when-would-you-have-ideally-gone-back-to-work/page/2#post-1877883 Thu, 25 Sep 2014 18:12:56 +0000 californiadreams 1877883@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Maybe I'm not being realistic but minimum I want 18 months and ideally 2 years. I had a year and wasn't at all ready to go back. At least not full time. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/after-birth-when-would-you-have-ideally-gone-back-to-work/page/2#post-1877862 Thu, 25 Sep 2014 18:00:25 +0000 Charm54 1877862@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I loved having a year. The first six months were slow but after she became more mobile and engaging it was really really fun. I didn't think I would enjoy it as much as I did! But I realize I am lucky to get a year. Minimum would be 16-20 weeks..earlier than that and I was still a hormonal zombie. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/after-birth-when-would-you-have-ideally-gone-back-to-work/page/2#post-1877856 Thu, 25 Sep 2014 17:56:36 +0000 Adira 1877856@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I don't know if you're planning on breastfeeding at all and pumping once you return to work, but it seems like it usually takes women 6+ weeks just to get the hang of nursing. I can't imagine trying to figure out nursing and pumping enough to have a stash before returning to work at 6 weeks. That sounds next to impossible unless you have a serious oversupply.</p> <p>Wishing you all the best. &lt;3 </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/after-birth-when-would-you-have-ideally-gone-back-to-work/page/2#post-1877837 Thu, 25 Sep 2014 17:47:02 +0000 mdf106 1877837@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I went back at 6 weeks, which worked out fine. I actually felt better after going back, it was really a return to normalcy, although I was dreading it beforehand. I realize I may be an anomaly, and I have several factors which made it easier for me. I also think it would have been harder to go back to work the longer my leave was, because LO keeps getting more fun.</p> <p>I also highly recommend a conversation about finances. At the very least, you should have access in case of an emergency, especially with an LO. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/after-birth-when-would-you-have-ideally-gone-back-to-work/page/2#post-1877732 Thu, 25 Sep 2014 16:36:23 +0000 Anutka 1877732@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@HolisticMama: I second @rachiecakes: have a conversation with DH and your health care provider about realistic expectations for recovery. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/after-birth-when-would-you-have-ideally-gone-back-to-work/page/2#post-1877730 Thu, 25 Sep 2014 16:35:55 +0000 AmandaB8 1877730@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I took 8 weeks off.</p> <p>By 4 weeks, I was going stir crazy. I really would have gone back to work much earlier. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/after-birth-when-would-you-have-ideally-gone-back-to-work/page/2#post-1877710 Thu, 25 Sep 2014 16:27:46 +0000 HolisticMama 1877710@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I really appreciate everyone's feedback. I also agree that I need to talk to my husband more about the finances. I originally was the one who asked him to take care of them a couple years back, but now I haven't seen the numbers in quite sometime... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/after-birth-when-would-you-have-ideally-gone-back-to-work/page/2#post-1877602 Thu, 25 Sep 2014 15:30:25 +0000 rachiecakes 1877602@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@HolisticMama: I'm with @Silva: you have no idea how you're going to recover never mind adjusting to life with a baby. I had a vaginal birth and it took my almost a year to "recover" and still 2+ years later have issues (pain, nerve damage, etc.) that bother me from it.<br /> That said, I went back at 7 weeks but my job was really flexible. I pumped 3x a day, could go home for lunch with DS. </p> <p>If your DH hasn't already, he should speak with your midwife/OB about recovery. It's physical/emotional/the whole shebang. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/after-birth-when-would-you-have-ideally-gone-back-to-work/page/2#post-1877557 Thu, 25 Sep 2014 15:02:24 +0000 Silva 1877557@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@HolisticMama: If possible, I would take some extra time unpaid. I cannot imagine going back at 6 weeks. It would be really, really hard. And I'm concerned that you don't have a say because your husband controls all the finances....seems like an issue that should be open for debate. I realize not everyone can afford this, but you should at least have as much say in the matter as he does (if not more- recovering from childbirth is tough, and if you are planning to breastfeed the first few months are often challenging).</p> <p>I took 16 months off. Next time I may take a little bit longer (but we will be in a very different financial position at that time). We barely made it financially, and had to dip into savings during the final months, but it was worth it for us. When I did go back, I went part time. Obviously whats right for each family is different, but I think its appalling that we don't offer, at minimum, 12 weeks of maternity leave in the US. I would encourage anyone for whom it is at all possible to try to make 12 weeks work if they can. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/after-birth-when-would-you-have-ideally-gone-back-to-work/page/2#post-1877547 Thu, 25 Sep 2014 14:59:05 +0000 snowjewelz 1877547@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I already had my huge rant earlier about how maternity benefits suck in the US... I get no benefits whatsoever except being able to take 12 weeks FMLA, and make $170 a week from NYS for 6 weeks :meh: </p> <p>Right now I'm planning on maybe working from home at 6 weeks, and going back between 8-10 weeks. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/after-birth-when-would-you-have-ideally-gone-back-to-work/page/2#post-1877518 Thu, 25 Sep 2014 14:47:35 +0000 yellowbird 1877518@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Minimum 12 weeks and idea 6 months. I wouldn't like to be out of work for longer than 6 months and I was getting kind of bored at home around 10 weeks but wasn't really ready to leave baby yet. I wish I could bring baby to work for 6 months! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/after-birth-when-would-you-have-ideally-gone-back-to-work/page/2#post-1877432 Thu, 25 Sep 2014 14:23:39 +0000 Ginabean3 1877432@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I was scheduled to go back after 5 months (combination of maternity leave and PTO) and thank god I had that time because the first two months she was in the NICU. I ended up not going back because we moved. But if I was working again, my ideal would be 1 year.</p> <p>That's when I felt the most comfortable leaving her with someone. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/after-birth-when-would-you-have-ideally-gone-back-to-work/page/2#post-1877422 Thu, 25 Sep 2014 14:19:48 +0000 daniellemybelle 1877422@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Aimed: It doesn't sound terrible. The older and cooler my daughter gets, the harder it is to leave her.</p> <p>I know someone who went back after 7 weeks I believe and intended to take the other 5 weeks of her FMLA when her child was older, like you said. I don't think she ever really did it.</p> <p>I know someone else who went back at 10 weeks, but she took the last 2 weeks of her leave one day per week over the next few months. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/after-birth-when-would-you-have-ideally-gone-back-to-work/page/2#post-1877401 Thu, 25 Sep 2014 14:08:04 +0000 Espion 1877401@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm not sure about ideal, but I'll be going back four weeks after this one is born. I just can't take that long off of work. I am lucky that I have a fairly flexible job. With my first, I took three months off, and I think that was just right. But I had the luxury of being between jobs and simply delayed my start date. No such luxury this time around!</p> <p>ETA: We also saved like crazy for a 3 month maternity leave. Is saving money now to accommodate some extra time a possibility? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/after-birth-when-would-you-have-ideally-gone-back-to-work/page/2#post-1877391 Thu, 25 Sep 2014 14:04:37 +0000 Corduroy 1877391@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I went back at 16 weeks. LO was pretty high maintenance and colicky so I didn't come out if my wrecked zombie postpartum state until 14 weeks or so. I could have gone back earlier but we didn't bond until those last two weeks. Plus LO didn't take a bottle the first two days at daycare. I don't think I could have put a smaller baby through that. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/after-birth-when-would-you-have-ideally-gone-back-to-work/page/2#post-1877388 Thu, 25 Sep 2014 14:04:19 +0000 ShootingStar 1877388@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Minimum for me is 10 weeks, ideal is 4-6 months. </p>