Among taboo mama topics is that of how a mama feels about her maternity leave. Polarized responses such as “I’m so sad for my leave to end!” and “I can’t wait to get back to work!” are common.

Regardless of how you feel during leave time, it’s probably safe to say that all mamas feel some degree of guilt if and when they return to work. A Mayo Clinic article offers some helpful tips on how to ease transition, cope with guilt, and continue to breastfeed. An article from U. Michigan Medical also offers tips on returning to work and description of different types of child-care options.
Among the logistical issues, I suggest working out child-care and pumping arrangements as soon possible. The child-care situation is a major stressor; there just doesn’t seem to be enough supply for the demand. Get your name on wait lists as soon as you can and pursue other options in the meanwhile. And don’t be afraid to ask for space to pump. Take the Mayo Clinic advice that you should never accept to pump somewhere you wouldn’t eat your lunch to heart (I pumped in a bathroom once, and believe me, I will never do that again!).

Among the personal issues, I think the most sanity preserving measures include: self care, not being afraid to ask for help, and letting less important matters slide. The little chores can wait; or if you have the resources, you can rationalize that a sane and happy mama is worth the price of an occasional visit from a housecleaning service.

Okay, how funny is it that a feature on working mamas, appearing in today’s Globe, is written by Joanne Cleaver? I wish the byline just read “J. Cleaver” but it’s close enough. Fed to the Globe via the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, this article focuses on a current trend in the workplace, that of younger mamas negotiating for flexible schedules in order to achieve better work-home balance.

How much leave time should I take? This is a common question for working mamas and one with so many more questions and variables attached to it. What does your workplace offer? What are your job security guarantees (e.g., compliance with the Family and Medical Leave Act, FMLA)? How much unpaid leave time can you afford? Can your partner take leave time? Will you go berserk being home all day?
Everyone’s situation is different and complex, but consensus among some of my mama friends is that if it is at all possible, take more than 3 months of leave. The first 3 months are pure boot camp, all work with very little tangible gratification (other than the little bundle in your arms of course!). I have heard some people say that it doesn’t seem like a biological accident that around the 3-month mark, when you’re near ready to head back and return your delivery to the hospital, the babe starts being more responsive and adorable. It seems a shame to survive the really tough period then go back to work just as things start to get more fun.

I took 4 months formal leave then unexpectedly went back at a reduced schedule (slowly ramping back up to full-time over the course of 9 months) due to other family issues and I felt so fortunate to have so much time with my babe. She just got more fun and interactive as time passed, and as I got better at learning how to take her out and about everything started to click.

Please feel free to share comments on how much leave you took and how it worked out for you.