Returning from Maternity Leave: Real Advice for Working Moms

I won’t sugarcoat it for you: coming back from maternity leave is hard. You’ve just done one of the most profound things a human can do by birthing and nurturing a new soul into this world. And then all of the sudden… 12 weeks (if you’re lucky) goes by in a blink of an eye and suddenly you’re asked to return to business as usual. And yet… nothing about life feels usual anymore.

I’ve been there, twice, and I know what those early days feel like: the exhaustion, the identity shift, the constant juggle. If you’re preparing to return to work after adding new life into your familiar (or you’re already back and trying to stay afloat) here’s my two cents for what’s it worth.

1. Take It Slow

Your brain is going to tell you to sprint back in and prove you’ve “still got it.” Don’t. It will feel like you have missed an eternity but the reality is that whether you missed 4 weeks, 12 weeks, 6 months, or even 12 months - work isn’t going anywhere. It will still be the same when you get back. But you know what won’t be? Your baby, their milestones, and your growth as a mom. 

Think of it like this: your bandwidth has shifted. Instead of cramming 100% into work and 100% into home (impossible math, by the way), give yourself permission to go at 60% and build back up.

You don’t need to prove yourself, overperform, or bounce back to your “old normal”. Take the pressure off. Give yourself permission to ease in.

Need to put this into words when transitioning back to work?

“I’m glad to be back! I’m working on intentionally pacing myself as I transition back. It’s important for me to be fully present both here and at home and figure out this new phase of work and life.”

2. Make Your Calendar Your BFF

I used to think my calendar was just for work meetings. Nope. It’s literally how I stay on track of everything when I have SO much going on. My dad always used to tell me “you’d forget your head if it weren’t attached to your neck” YUP guilty. My calendar is quite literally how I keep my head on straight. 

Add everything: feeds, pumps, doctor’s appointments, naps, and eating. I did a terrible job of nourishing myself postpartum, especially once I went back to work. Don’t make the same mistake.

If it’s not on your calendar, it won’t happen. Simply mark “busy”. Protect your time like you protect your baby’s nap schedule.

3. Find Your Village + Ditch the Mom Guilt

I wish I could tell you I’m above mom guilt but it gets to me too. Even though I’m steadfast in the direction I want my career to go and the direction of our family, I still find it showing up in places I’d least likely expect it to. It seems as if mom guilt shows up the second you put your badge back on or open your laptop and it never really goes away (in this economy?! No way)

The cure? Surround yourself with people who get it. Other moms in the trenches, coworkers who understand flexibility, friends who won’t judge when you cancel plans (again).

And about those opinions from people who aren’t living your reality? Let them roll right off. They don’t get a vote.

4. Lean Into the New You

You’re not the same person who left before maternity leave. And that’s okay. In fact, if you ask me, it’s your super power. You’ve changed for the better. You’re more resilient and capable of more. The sooner you stop pretending you’re unchanged, the easier the transition becomes.

Be honest with coworkers about what’s going on. It’s not oversharing, it’s setting expectations:

• “Running on two hours of sleep, so bear with me today.”

• “Baby’s sick (again), I’ll keep the essentials moving but might be slower.”

• “Teething is wrecking my household—thanks for patience while I juggle.”

The goal isn’t to overshare. In fact, I’ve found that when sharing the messy, chaotic bits of my life with coworkers (men included) it actually creates a stronger bond between working professionals. They will usually give me the “yup - been there” sigh and nod. 

If anything, I’d encourage you to start talking about your experiences as a working parent to normalize the reality of being a working parent and to set expectations clearly. 

Coming back from maternity leave may be one of the hardest seasons you’ll ever navigate. It isn’t just about re-entering the workplace, it’s about showing up as a new version of yourself. You’re growing into a new identity, and that will inevitably show up in your professional life.

Balancing a tiny human with deadlines, bosses, clients, and financial responsibilities is no small feat. But here’s what I promise you: you will persevere. You will come out the other side. The chaos won’t last forever. And once you’ve figured out your rhythm, you’ll realize just how empowering it is to navigate this season with grit and grace.

P.S. you don’t have to do it alone. If you’re in the middle of this transition, remember: there’s no gold medal for suffering silently. Take it slow, find your people, and trust that you’re stronger than you think.