THINK POSITIVEWhether you're going back to pay the mortgage and/or because you love your job, look on the bright side, such as the stimulation and self-esteem your job brings, the contribution you make, the camaraderie of colleagues and the work ethic you are instilling in your child.
PHASE IN THE CHILDCARE
Whether opting for a creche, childminder or nanny, you should research, choose and book your childcare early. Then introduce your baby to it at least three weeks before going back to work, building up the hours gradually.
ESTABLISH A ROUTINE
It might seem crazy to start a work morning and evening routine one day earlier than you have to, but it will help you and your baby to become used to the new time schedule.
PREPARE TO PUMP
If you are breastfeeding, make sure your employer knows in advance that you need a clean and private room for expressing once or twice a day, as well as access to a fridge to store the milk.
BE ORGANISED
When still on maternity leave, you wonder how you will ever find time to work as well. But organisation is the key: it is amazing how efficient you can become when you have to. Also delegation: make sure you're asking, and allowing, your child's father to do his share. Pay someone to clean the house once a week if you can, so weekends are not all about catching up on chores.
MAKE 'ME' TIME
Combining career and young children leaves little time for anything else. If you're lucky, your work will be your hobby and social life as well. But it's still important to have time for yourself, when neither a child nor an employer is making demands.
So even if you're exhausted, it's worth making the effort to go for a walk, or to keep up some other leisure activity, and grab opportunities to spend time with extended family and friends.