Finding my Rhythm: The Realities of Returning to Work Postpartum
In January, I returned to work and officially stepped out of the beautiful postpartum bubble I had been living in at home. They say all good things come to an end, and that’s exactly how I felt as maternity leave began to wrap up. I am so grateful for the time I had with my little love - it was truly the most special season of my life I’ve experienced thus far - and I cherished every moment away from work. I knew the transition back to work would be tough, and I did my best to prepare myself and my family for the change. But as a first-time mom, there’s only so much you can actually prepare for. Now, five months in, I finally feel like I’m starting to find my rhythm - balancing work, motherhood, and slowly easing back into the things that make me feel like me again, like writing in this space.
Returning to work brought on a whole whirlwind of emotions, logistics, and lessons learned, and I wanted to share a bit of that journey here. Whether you’re a new mom about to return to work or a fellow mama in the thick of it, I hope this post offers some encouragement, practical tips, or simply reminds you that you’re not alone in the transition.
Let’s rewind a bit to before I actually went back to work.
As my return date started creeping up, I knew I needed to do more than just emotionally brace myself - I had to actually plan for this new chapter. From conversations with my employer to figuring out what our new daily routine would look like, who would be caring for our baby, and how I would juggle pumping during the workday, there was a lot to think through.
As much as I hate to admit it, I was fully in denial that I’d actually have to leave our baby in the care of someone else. Throughout my entire maternity leave, I was incredibly attached and hadn’t spent much, if any, time away from her. I had a feeling the transition would be harder on me than her - so I started small. I asked my sister-in-law to watch her for an hour while I went on a daycare tour. That first hour was gut-wrenching, and I couldn’t stop thinking about her the entire time.
A few days later, I dropped her off with my mom for a few hours while I ran downtown to meet a dear friend for coffee. I remember sitting there with her, trying to be present, but all I could think about was getting back to my baby. Those short practice sessions apart ended up helping both of us ease into a little bit of separation - and I’ve since recommended the same to a few friends in similar situations.
Once I got past those initial separations, I turned my focus to pumping logistics. I wanted to make sure I felt confident using my equipment and knew exactly how I’d be storing milk during the workday. Thankfully, my office has a dedicated mother’s room with a private space and a fridge, but I also bought a small cooler to keep my milk stored with me so I didn’t have to leave it in a shared space.
Beyond the practical planning, there was also the emotional prep - mainly working through the mom guilt and separation anxiety. We found a local daycare that felt like the right fit for us, and we’ve landed on a nice blend of daycare and family support during the week. That peace of mind made a big difference as I started to transition out of full-time mom mode and back into work life.
No one really prepares you for the emotional rollercoaster that comes with going back to work after having a baby. You’re not just figuring out logistics, you’re figuring out how to be this new version of yourself. the working mom version. I struggled a lot with guilt in the beginning. Guilt for leaving her, guilt for not feeling “ready”, guilt for moments at work when i actually felt okay. It’s such a weird headspace to be in.
One thing that helped was letting go of the pressure to feel a certain way. I stopped expecting myself to be 100% dialed into work and also 100% emotionally present at home every single day. Some days I’m more focused on work, other days I’m distracted and missing her more. That’s okay. I’ve learned that balance doesn’t mean everything is perfectly equal - it just means you’re adjusting and showing up the best you can, day by day. I also found it really helpful that our daycare has an app where they keep us updated on everything she does throughout the day, sends us photos, and we can message at anytime. When family is watching her, they always send photos and this truly helps me get through the time when I’m away.
Once the initial shock of returning to work wore off, the next big hurdle was figuring out a rhythm that worked for all of us. I’ll be honest - those first few weeks felt chaotic. I constantly felt like I was forgetting something but over time we started to fall into a groove. Mornings were probably the wildest part of the day. Between getting myself ready, packing bottles, prepping the diaper bag, and feeding the baby - it’s a lot. As my husband always reminds me, proper preparation prevents poor performance and this is so evident today! Anything I can do the night before makes a huge difference. Packing bags, laying out outfits, prepping breakfast and lunch it all adds up and helps our mornings feel more meaningful and not as rushed.
Evenings hare all about connection and calm. We keep things simple; dinner, bath, cuddles, playtime, and then bedtime. I try not to overcommit during the week because I’ve realized how valuable those hours are between getting home and putting her down for the night. It’s such a short window and I want to soak up every moment of it. The biggest shift for me was realizing that routines don’t have to be perfect to be working. Some days everything flows, and others feel a little messy, but both are okay. Over time, we’ve landed on a rhythm that feels manageable, even if it’s still evolving.
Looking back, the transition back to work was every bit as hard, emotional, and overwhelming as I expected - it stretched me in ways I wasn’t ready for, but also showed me just how capable I am, even when I don’t feel like it. This transition back also opened my eyes to my own mother and how effortless she made motherhood look! Four months in, I still have hard days. I still miss her deeply when I’m away, but I also feel proud of the routine we’ve built, the support we’ve leaned on, and the little wins we’ve collected along the way.
If you’re a new mom facing the return to work, just know that it’s okay to feel all the things - grief, excitement, guilt, relief, and everything in between. You’re not alone, and it will get easier with time. Be gentle with yourself, ask for help when you need it, and give yourself permission to redefine balance in your own way.
And if you’re further along in your journey and have tips or stories of your own, I’d love to hear them. This space is all about sharing and supporting each other - because we weren’t meant to do this alone.
