Having a baby changes your life and is incredibly rewarding, but you may want to return to work to continue your career. It's a big decision, so let us help you consider the options. If you're considering returning to work, you're not alone. The latest figures collected by Labour Market Trends show that two-thirds of women in employment while pregnant now return to work at the end of their maternity leave. Half of all mothers with pre-school children now work, with one-third working full-time and two-thirds working part-time. Getting back into the routine of working can be a balancing act and there are new issues to deal with.
Going back to work while your baby is still very young is a big decision. If you're finding it hard to make that choice, try to be clear about your situation, aims and objectives, bearing in mind that no decision is everlasting or unchangeable. If you want to return to work, don't feel guilty. You may want to go out to work to share the financial responsibility of running your home or for other reasons such as social contact, mental stimulation, or resuming your career. Remember, there's no such thing as right or wrong when it comes to staying at home or returning to work, so talk about your feelings with your partner or a trusted friend to help clarify your thinking – you want to feel confident about your decision. There are lots of other mums who have been through the same experience, so don't be shy about asking for their reassurance, advice and top tips, too.
There's no such thing as right or wrong when it
comes to staying at home or returning to work,
so talk about your feelings with your partner or
a trusted friend to help clarify your thinking
There are various childcare options to consider. If your parents are still young and live locally, they might like to get involved – it's a cheaper and often more reassuring option. A few big employers, such as hospitals and government offices, offer workplace crèches, which are good value for money and have the added benefit of enabling you to pop down to see your little one during your lunch break. Childminders and daycare nurseries are cheaper than nannies but may not offer one-to-one care, which you may feel your baby needs, particularly when so small. Once you have decided what childcare arrangements suit you best, spend time with the new carer before you have to leave for work so you get used to another person looking after your baby. You could leave the baby for an hour or so with the new carer while you go shopping or pamper yourself by having a massage or a beauty treatment.
The parents of every child born on or after
15 December 1999 can now take up to 13
weeks of unpaid leave per parent per child
You are entitled to maternity leave if you are an employee. There are two lengths of maternity leave depending on how long you have been working for your employer: Ordinary Maternity Leave (OML) and Additional Maternity Leave (AML). OML lasts for 26 weeks. It doesn't matter how long you have been working for your employer or how many hours you work, all employees are entitled to OML from day one. AML lasts for 26 weeks and starts at the end of ordinary maternity leave. You are entitled to take AML if you have worked for your employer for 26 weeks by the 15th week before your baby is due.
When you decide to return to work, if you would like to work part-time, or work as a job-share, you have the right to ask your employer. Legally, your employer must consider your request and cannot simply refuse without reason. As the figures above show, most working mothers of pre-school children work part-time; this is often a good compromise between being at home and working full-time.
Parental leave
The parents of every child born on or after 15 December 1999 can now take up to 13 weeks of unpaid leave per parent per child, up until the child's fifth birthday. This can be taken to cover emergencies such as a child's illness, a childminder's illness, or a 'luxury' if you want to spend more time with your child. However, legally, you must give 21 days written notice before you plan to take parental leave.
For more information go to
breastfeeding and returning to work
Expressing breast milk is a useful skill to learn, especially if you anticipate being away from your baby for more than a few hours in the first few months. It can mean some forward planning and extra organisation on your part, but it does mean your baby can continue enjoying breast milk when you're at work. To maintain your milk supply, feed your baby first thing in the morning and when you get home from work in the evening. Also, depending on your baby's age and needs you may also need to express milk during the day. New developments in expressing products, including portable briefcase-sized pumps with insulated bottles, mean that expressing at work is easy and convenient.
you may also be interested in these products...
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Medela City Style Breast Pump Bagwas £ 49.99
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Medela Mini Electric Breast Pump£ 69.99
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Tommee Tippee Insulated Bottle Bags - 2pk£ 10.20
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