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Important Points
- Understand the concept of the “mommy penalty” and how workplace flexibility can help reduce the impact it can have on your career.
- Take the time to research and choose the right childcare provider for you and your child, taking into account factors such as location, reputation, and staff qualifications.
- Prepare your baby to go back to work by transitioning to bottle feeding, including your loved one during this time and planning feeding tools and routines in advance.
Taking time off from work to be with your child is one of the most important things you can do. Unfortunately for most of us, there comes a time when we have to go back to the office. Modern changing arrangements are making it easier than ever for parents, but babies are not always affected by these changes.
Returning to work means switching to bottle feeding, finding childcare and negotiating new arrangements with your employer. All these things may seem complicated, but if we break them down into several tasks, it will be easier to deal with the change. Fortunately, there are many online resources such as our breastfeeding guide that cover breasts, formula and different breastfeeding techniques.
Mother’s Punishment
Stories that emerge in the media show that women suffer from the ‘mother punishment’ of having to retire from work to have children. Often, they return to a job that has changed significantly or no longer exists, forcing them out of the workforce. This issue can be improved if businesses are open to change their performance.
Currently, the number of women participating is 59.5 percent in Australia, while the number of male participants stands at 71 percent. People often think that mothers are not important workers because they are more careful when their children are sick.
But this is changing due to the changing functionality. The ability to work remotely, or work from home at times, allows more parents to balance the needs of their family with their work. Flexible working arrangements aren’t just good news for parents – they come with huge benefits for businesses:
– Reduced turnover, which means your business spends less time hiring new employees to replace women who quit.
– Employees feel valued and they can work hard and be loyal to the company
– Customer satisfaction increases because employees are happy, which affects how they interact with customers
– Work/life balance leads to healthier employees who take less sick days, and women can take time off without worrying about the boss noticing
– Finding the best talent in the market
– Reducing office rental costs
– Fewer chances of employees laughing at ‘sickies’ because they feel overworked
– Motivating top employees
Make smart decisions about your child care options
The next big problem you have to deal with is childcare. Many new parents receive help from grandparents and relatives to care for their children, but many others need to rely on childcare. Choosing the right babysitter is a big task. There are many options available, but not all childcare is the same, and it’s up to you to find a place that fits your schedule and your child’s development:
– When choosing a childcare center you should do your research and ask other parents about their options. Talk to your partner about what you both feel is important to you and your child.
– Be sure about the benefits of childcare. No matter what the reasons, feeling bad about childcare can only make the job more exhausting.
– Follow your gut if you have one. Many parents only get “feelings” of what is best when making a babysitting trip. Look at the interaction between the caregiver and the children and if the children seem to be well cared for. Think about how you feel and talk to your supervisor and caregivers.
– If your child is old enough, ask them what they want. Talk to them about childcare, read books together and answer their questions honestly. Take care of your thoughts if you are worried. Children know very well how their parents are feeling.
– Include information from the Government in your research. This should be impartial and evidence-based. See Here also Here for more information.
How to transition to bottle feeding when you return to work
Finally, you need to prepare your baby to go back to work by transitioning to bottle feeding. Making sure your baby is used to bottle feeding before returning to work is important. Some babies take longer than others to accept a bottle, especially if they have been breastfeeding happily. Allow plenty of time and patience.
Expect some hesitation as your baby transitions to another feeder. Make an appointment with your babysitter to discuss your baby’s feeding preferences and preferences. Breastfeeding times and roles may vary between babies. Have a few practice sessions to get used to it.
Ask the caregivers to try to follow your baby’s breastfeeding schedule. Routines should be flexible, but there are real benefits for babies to have a regular routine when it comes to feeding and sleeping.
If you are combining breastfeeding with a bottle, don’t think you have to stop. You may want to consider expressing your breast milk at work and saving it for bottle feeding. See here for more information on the safe storage and feeding of Expressed Breast Milk (EBM). And talk to your employer about your leave entitlements to clarify.
Be prepared with plenty of bottles, nipples, nipples and enough milk to get the amount of food your baby needs. Think about how you would like bottles and feeding equipment to be washed, cleaned and watered while your child is in childcare.
Get an insulated nursing bag or esky to keep your baby’s bottles cool. This is especially important if you are carrying EBM or pre-made formula (not required).
Create a formula for labeling your baby’s bottles. Daycare centers and home daycares often have more than one child. Make sure your baby’s food and bottles are clearly labeled to avoid confusion.
Get your partner involved in planning and decision making. Different perspectives and sharing of work is a good way to avoid disappointment.
Top Five Tips for bottle feeding and returning to work
1. Remember that your baby needs breast milk or formula until they are 12 months old. Do not give straight cow’s milk as their main drink before they are 1 year old.
2. From about six months your baby can be given a sipper cup to try drinking alcohol. So carry a cup of cold boiled water to make it liquid between their milk bottles.
3. Be confident in your choice of babysitter. Doing as much research as possible early on and helping with the early stages of childcare will help you make the transition.
4. Be prepared. Avoid the early morning scramble of packing the nappy bag and choosing the bottles. Don’t underestimate the value of putting in the time and energy the night before to make the morning go smoothly.
5. Expect some challenges as you and your child adjust to the daily transition. Feeding is a big part of a young child’s life and often reflects other things going on in his life.
About the Author: Jane Barry – Your Health Professional
Jane Barry is a registered nurse, midwife, and child health nurse with an interest in combining medical technology with writing. She has nearly 30 years of experience in pediatric health nursing and holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Applied Science (Nursing). Jane is interested in maternal health, parenting, pregnancy, child and maternal care, children’s health, diet, nutrition, dental care, and dental health.
An active member of AHPRA, The Australasian Medical Writer’s Association, Health Writer Hub, and the Australian College of Children and Young People’s Nurses, Jane Barry delivers health-related content professionally and clearly.