End of maternity leave: 5 tips for getting back to work.

The end of maternity leave is a turning point for many young mothers. Going back to work after several months of caring for your baby can be stressful and apprehensive. To make this transition as smooth as possible, it's essential to be well prepared. In this article, we offer five practical tips to help you tackle this new phase of your life with peace of mind. From preparing your baby to organizing your day-to-day life, to tips for managing your mental and physical well-being, discover our recommendations for a successful return to work.

Tip 1: Prepare your baby for separation:

Most of the time, during maternity leave, the parent is with the child 100% of the time. So when it's time to go back to work, it can be difficult for the child who's been used to having you around all the time. So it's important to prepare for the separation a few months before you go back to work, by putting your child in a day-care center gradually, for example. 

Here are a few tips to help you prepare your baby for this new rhythm of life:

• Get baby used to other people: Start by leaving your child with relatives such as dad, grandparents or a nanny for short periods. This will help him familiarize himself with other faces and understand that you'll always come back even if you leave him for a few hours with other people. 
• Establish separation rituals: Develop soothing routines before moments of separation, such as a special cuddle, a song or a comforting comforter. You can also use babywearing at this time to soothe your child. And yes, babywearing has incredible benefits, such as reducing separation anxiety. All these rituals will reassure your baby and make the "goodbyes" sweeter.

Tip 2: Choose suitable childcare and gradually prepare for your baby's return to school:

As soon as your pregnancy begins, start looking for and choosing your childcare arrangements. For daycare centers, register your child at the guichet unique. Daycares, CPEs, family daycares and in-home babysitters fill up very quickly, so it's a good idea to get started as soon as possible and register your child.

Choose the right childcare for you and your baby by taking the following factors into account:

- Evaluate available options: Visit daycare centers, home environments and in-home babysitters to understand how they work.

• Check qualifications and safety: Make sure staff are qualified and the environment is safe by asking for references and consulting reviews.
• Consider proximity and hours: Choose a childcare facility close to your home or work, with hours that suit your needs.
• Evaluate costs: Compare costs and check available subsidies or tax credits.
• Trust your instincts: Follow your intuition to choose an environment where your child will be happy and well cared for.

Once you've made your choice, we recommend that you introduce childcare gradually. If possible, start with short periods and gradually increase the amount of time your baby spends with his or her caregiver in a home environment or daycare center. Bring along familiar items from home, such as a doggie, blanket or favorite toy. For more tips on this subject, read our article "4 steps to a successful start in daycare". 

Tip 3: Plan your daily routine in advance

Planning ahead is the key to success! That way, you'll be able to face the future with greater serenity, and manage your professional life and your time with your little family with a master's hand. 

Here are a few tips to help you organize your daily routine:

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  Establish a routine for you and your baby: Plan fixed times for meals, naps and playtime. A well-established routine helps your child feel secure and adjust to separation.
• Prepare yourself and baby the night before: Save time in the morning by preparing everything the night before, such as your work bag, baby's clothes, diapers and meals.
• Organize meals for the week and prepare them in advance for busy days. Balanced meals will keep your energy up. 
• If you're breast-feeding, prepare a supply of milk before you go to work. You can then give the breast milk to your day-care center so they can feed your child in your absence. 
• Delegate and ask for help: Don't hesitate to ask your partner, family or friends for help. We know you're a great mom, but that doesn't mean you have to work yourself to exhaustion. Delegating means taking care of yourself, and when you're in shape, you have the energy to spend quality time with your family and feel good about yourself. And that's priceless!
• Make sure you have the necessary equipment to help you in this preparation phase. We recommend two: a diary or time management app, and a baby carrier or sling. The former will enable you to keep track of all your appointments and tasks, so that nothing escapes you. The latter will make life a lot easier when you need to be active and get things ready, but at the same time, you're with baby. Just slip on your baby carrier, put your little one against you and your hands are free for your daily chores.

Tip 4: Take steps to better organize your logistics at work:

Now that you're well prepared for your working day, it's time to think about how best to organize your time at work. Your employer can help you get back into the swing of things.

Here are a few tips to help you do just that:

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  Discuss possible adjustments to your schedule with your company: For example, discuss the possibility of teleworking or flexible working hours to better reconcile work and family life.
• Plan pumping sessions: If you're breastfeeding, arrange to pump your milk during your breaks at work. Provide a private, comfortable space for this activity. Talk to your employer about arranging specific breaks for pumping if necessary.
• Resume gradually: If possible, consider resuming part-time or flexible working hours to ease the transition. You could also ask for a staggered return to help you adapt.

Tip 5: Take care of yourself.

The change of pace and the resumption of your professional life with a young child requires a readjustment and can be a source of stress. Be indulgent with yourself and, above all, don't forget to allow yourself time for a break, so that you can approach this new schedule with serenity.
Here are some recommendations to help you through this transition:

• Give importance to your mental well-being: Take time to relax and manage stress through soothing activities such as meditation or breathing exercises. Devote a few minutes each day to these practices to stay calm and focused.

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  Maintain good physical health: Yoga is a great way to stay in shape while relaxing your mind. Stretching and yoga postures can help reduce muscle tension and improve your posture. For more tips, check out our article on getting fit after pregnancy.
• Set realistic goals: Don't try to do everything perfectly. Set priorities and achievable goals to avoid feeling overwhelmed. Be indulgent with yourself and acknowledge your progress, however small.

Returning to work after maternity leave is a tricky business, but by following these tips, you can make the transition a little easier. By preparing your baby for the separation, choosing suitable childcare, organizing your daily routine in advance, taking care of your mental and physical well-being, and adapting your work logistics, you'll be better equipped to manage this period. Don't forget that every little step counts and that you need to be indulgent with yourself. With the right preparation and support, you can successfully reconcile work and family life.
Whether it's to free up your hands when you need to prepare your week and do your household chores, or when you need to transport baby to your day-care center, or whether you want to spend a soothing moment and develop your connection with baby after the working day, babywearing is very useful to help you in this new phase.

For advice on babywearing and motherhood in general, check out our various resources:

• Read our other blog posts on starting daycare, the benefits of babywearing and "5 tips to simplify your life as a parent".
• Chimparoo's YouTube channel is packed with demonstrations of babywearing positions and discussions of baby development.
• You can also visit our Frequently Asked Questions page, which addresses questions commonly asked by our customers.