Going back to work after baby: Timelines and tips (2024)

There's no straightforward answer regarding going back to work after having a baby – there are lots of factors that may weigh into when you decide to return to your job. As with most aspects of pregnancy and the postpartum period, there's no one-size-fits-all rule on when to return to work after birth, and every new mom's situation will be different. Some moms return to work just a few weeks after having a baby, while others take up to a year (or longer) of maternity leave.

Every experience is different, but generally, it takes around six weeks to feel relief from most postpartum symptoms after having a baby. While six weeks has long been the traditional timeline for rest and recuperation after a birth, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommends ongoing postpartum care from birth to 12 weeks.

Six weeks is also the standard recovery time allotted for childbirth-related short-term disability leave. Short-term disability is a benefit in which your employer, through your health insurance policy, covers a portion (or all) of your paycheck while you recover from childbirth. Additionally, most daycare centers across the U.S. won't accept infants until they're at least 6 weeks old.

While six weeks is often cited, about 60 percent of Americans qualify for 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected time off after the birth, adoption, or placement of a child through the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). If you can afford to take this amount of unpaid time off work and you qualify for FMLA, your employer is required to let you take three months of parental leave.

Because there’s currently no universal paid family leave program in the U.S., a new mom’s average time away from work after having a baby varies widely. Only 23 percent of workers in the U.S. have access to paid leave through their employer, leaving the rest of working parents to figure out how much parental leave they can afford to take.

For many new moms, financial stress is one of the main reasons contributing to their decision to return to work. But many organizations and politicians support at least 12 weeks of paid parental leave, and proposed legislation to provide at least some of that is in the works.

As anyone who’s ever brought a newborn home can tell you, taking care of an infant is exhausting. In addition to the physical tolls that postpartum recovery takes, you’ll also be dealing with the other aspects of the so-called “fourth trimester” in those first several weeks after birth – fatigue, hormonal changes, and the demands of taking care of your tiny new human 24/7. You’ll be busy with around-the-clock feedings and diaper changes, and you may not be able to function as well as you’re used to – now imagine adding a full-time job to that mix!

Some moms are never ready to go back to work after having a baby, nor do they want to. If your family unit can afford it and if you and your partner are on board with the idea of you staying home even temporarily, being a stay-at-home mom is always an option, too.

Ultimately, the decision of when to return to work is up to you, based on your access to parental leave benefits, your financial situation, and your own personal readiness. Take all of this into account as you're discussing parental leave options with your partner (if you have one) and your family. You'll know what's best for you – and you can start to prepare for what's next.

If you're planning on returning to work sooner than six weeks after having your baby, be sure to talk to your healthcare provider, who can check in on your physical recovery.

How to prepare for going back to work after having a baby

Once you’ve settled on when you’ll return to work, it's a good idea to start thinking about how you’ll do it. Here are a few tips to keep in mind:

• Figure out your childcare situation. Having a caregiver – whether it's a grandparent, a nanny, or a daycare center – whom you trust taking care of your baby while you’re back at work will make the transition a lot easier. Also, be sure to introduce your baby and their caregiver before your first day of work to make sure everyone (yourself included!) is comfortable with the new arrangements.
• Consider returning to work part-time. If you’re okay with the pay cut that may come with it, and if your employer is open to it, easing back into work might make the transition easier, both physically and emotionally.
• Request more flexibility up front. Whether you're hoping to work from home or will need to come in late every so often because of pediatrician appointments or childcare schedules, your manager will likely be more accommodating if you’re honest about your needs and expectations from the start.
• Ask for help. Confide in a trusted colleague or join a parents’ group at work – do what you can to connect with people who’ve also transitioned back to work after having a child. It may make you feel more supported and less alone.
• If you’re breastfeeding, figure out how you’ll pump on the job. Employers are required by law to provide their nursing employees with private, comfortable accommodations where they can express milk, which is a must for breastfeeding as a working mom. Figure out the logistics of this before you return to work (Where is the nursing room? Is there a refrigerator in it?), and make sure to have the right equipment on hand, including a portable breast pump.
• Don't overdo it. If your job requires physical labor, talk to your manager about possibly modifying your responsibilities, which you also might’ve done while you were pregnant. You don’t want to overexert yourself and risk injury while you’re still recovering.
• Be kind to yourself. This transition can be difficult, and you may have a few rough days in the beginning. Remember that your hormones are still in flux, your emotions can feel like a roller coaster, and you may feel overwhelmed – and that's all normal.

Read more:

The baby blues

Signs of a good daycare center

Paternity leave: Here's what you need to know