10 Things I Wish I Knew Before Going Back to Work After Baby

💼 Returning to Work After Baby Is a Whole New World

Going back to work after having a baby isn't just a calendar event — it's a full-body, full-heart transformation. Between healing, hormones, sleepless nights, and a brand-new identity, you're trying to find your footing in a world that no longer feels familiar. Oh, and don't forget to remember your email password or fit into your pre-pregnancy pants.

I wish someone had told me what to expect. I wish someone had said, "You're not doing it wrong — it's just hard."

So, if you're a mom getting ready to return to work — whether it's been a few months or a few years — this list is for you.

✅ 1. You may not feel "ready" — and that's okay.

You'll wait for the magical moment when everything feels aligned, but it may never come. That doesn't mean you're not ready. It means you're normal.

Go anyway. Start small. Starting before you feel 100% prepared is common — and your confidence will grow with every step you take.

✅ 2. Your brain will feel foggy at first.

Mom brain? It's real. The shift back into "professional mode" can feel like trying to run a marathon on four hours of sleep — because, well, that's exactly what it is.

Be patient with yourself. Use tools that help: to-do lists, calendar alerts, and Post-it Notes. You'll get back into your rhythm.

💡 Need help easing back in? Download the Career Comeback Kit, which includes a printable checklist, mindset prompts, and time-saving tips.

✅ 3. You'll miss your baby, but you'll also enjoy the break.

Both can be true. You might cry during daycare drop-off and savor the silence in your car. You might long for baby snuggles and feel refreshed in adult conversation.

This doesn't make you a bad mom — it makes you human.

✅ 4. The mental load doesn't go away just because you're working.

Working doesn't erase your role as snack tracker, appointment scheduler, and keeper of the daycare backup onesie. The invisible labor still exists — it just shifts.

Looking for tips to manage it all? Read: The Realistic Morning Routine for Moms Who Don't Have Time

Recognizing the mental load is the first step to sharing it.

✅ 5. Your priorities may shift — and so might your ambition.

You may return to work with fire in your belly, or you may feel like your goals have changed. Neither is wrong.

If you want more flexibility, slower mornings, or a different kind of challenge — that's growth, not failure.

✅ 6. Childcare decisions are emotional — and imperfect.

There's no perfect setup. Whether you choose daycare, a nanny, family help, or some combo of all three, it's going to come with trade-offs.

Trust your gut. Let go of guilt. The best childcare is the one that works for your child and you.

✅ 7. Meal planning will save your sanity.

Returning to work means weekday evenings become short, loud, and messy. A few go-to meals can make your life a whole lot easier.

Keep it simple:

• A protein + a veggie + a starch = dinner.

• Batch cook on Sundays (even just one meal).

• Keep grab-and-go snacks on hand.

Read next: Sunday Reset: A Simple Routine That Keeps Me (Mostly) Sane.

✅ 8. Outfits that are pump-friendly AND professional are gold.

If you're pumping at work, invest in outfits that multitask with you. Think button-downs, zip-front dresses, or nursing-friendly blouses with high-waisted pants.

Look good. Feel like yourself. Don't underestimate the power of a great outfit when you're sleep-deprived and trying to figure it all out.

✅ 9. You may cry in the car. And that's okay.

Whether it's on the first day or the fifteenth, those tears are valid. They don't mean you're weak. They mean you're adjusting. It's emotional. It's big. And yes — it's allowed.

Feel the feelings. Then fix your mascara and keep going. You've got this.

✅ 10. You're not alone.

Seriously. You are not the only one who's wrestled with guilt, cried over daycare pickups, or second-guessed your decision 12 times before lunch.

There's a whole community of moms navigating the same mess. Find them. Talk to them. Share your wins — and your worries.

Bonus: Many of them have taken the Resume Reset course — created for moms like you who are ready to re-enter the workforce with confidence.

💬 Final Thoughts: There's No Right Way, Only Your Way

The return to work after a baby isn't just a logistical change — it's an emotional transformation. You're not just clocking back in. You're redefining who you are and how you show up in this new chapter of life.

Whether you're returning after 12 weeks or 2 years, it's going to be messy, meaningful, and totally yours.

And the next time you doubt yourself, I want you to remember this:

You're not starting over — you're starting from strength.

🎁 Grab Your Free Back-to-Work Kit

Need a confidence boost?

The Free Career Comeback Kit includes:

• 10 Things to Do Before Sending Your Resume

• 5 Mindset Shifts for Working Moms

• 10 Common Interview Questions to Prepare For

• 5 Power Phrases to Rescue a Rough Interview Moment

👉 Download it here

More Resources for Your Career Comeback:

• How to Update Your Resume When You've Been Out of Work

• What to Say in a Job Interview After Maternity Leave

• How to Ask for Flexibility or Remote Work as a New Mom