Your Back to Work Plan After Having a Baby
Creating a back to work plan and discussing it with your supervisor before your return to work can greatly increase the likelihood of a positive return-to-work experience for both you and your employer.
Be Proactive
Supervisors and co-workers are likely to be more receptive to your suggestions if you have done some research and troubleshooting in advance. If there is not a straightforward location for you to pump, you could:
Investigate creative options like purchasing a screen for your cubicle or a sign-out process for a shared meeting room.
Map out a potential pumping schedule and flag any potential hiccups in advance.
Show your supervisor online resources about the benefits of breastfeeding and the needs of nursing parents can also take the pressure off of you to explain it all. Pumpspotting and the US Department of Health & Human Services Office of Women’s Health are both great resources.
What to Include in Your Return to Work Plan
Your approximate return date
Your schedule upon your return. Some topics and questions to discuss might include:
Are part-time hours or a flexible schedule possible for the first few weeks?
Scheduling your first day back for mid-week instead of a Monday so you don’t have to make it through a full work week right away
Would you prefer an earlier start and departure time? Most daycares close by 5:30pm. Or, will you need to work a shorter day and make up an hour in the evenings after your baby goes to bed?
Where will you pump and store your milk?
Set expectations about your anticipated pumping schedule
We recommend revisiting your return to work plan approximately one month before your return to work date. Email your supervisor, or set up a phone call, to discuss any desired changes.
A template for creating this plan can be found in MSBC’s Return to Work Toolkit.
A Free Toolkit to Help You Return to Work After Having a Baby
Our toolkit includes guidance and checklists to help pumping or breastfeeding/chestfeeding parents navigate this challenging time with more ease.
