When did you go back to work new mummies!

[Epacris]

DS1 – 3 months. I initially worked a 20% load and built back up to FT by the time he was 11 months old. He was cared for by DH and my Mum until I found a wonderful family daycare lady (when he was 11 months). I expressed for him until he self weaned at 14 months.

DD – 4 months. I initially worked a 40% load and built back up to an 80% load by the time she was 14 months. But it was too much with DH working full time (he also travels for work) so I dropped back to a 60% load. I expressed for her until she was about 12 months old, we weaned by mutual agreement ( ) at 22 months.

DS2 – Probably not until he is 18 months to 2 years old. Next year, if I go back to work and DS2 goes to daycare we’ll have a triple drop off. I’m a TAFE teacher and have to be in class teaching at 8:30am and because DH often works away there will be days when I’d have to do it all myself, just not possible.

[MissM]

with DD I went back at 15 months I was a single mama and wanted more for my DD

with this DD I plan on going back at in August next year.

[onthefly]

With DS I returned to full-time work when he was 8 weeks old. It was purely out of necessity, but I was working from home so it wasn't so bad. Dh stayed home for 5 months, then we hired a babysitter.
This time DH is earning enough for us to get by, so I will stay home. I do plan to return to work (part time hopefully and something different) when DD is around 2, which is when we're comfortable putting them in daycare (ideally). I might look to do some casual work on weekends or something before then though. Some time when DD is eating more other foods and I'm getting some sleep

[Mildez]

I started uni full time when my eldest was 6weeks old (out of neccessity to get a better life for us. I was 18) when I had DD2 I returned to work when she was 8months which was neccessary to finish my degree (midwifery I was still a student middy and the association only allowed 2yrs to complete the course)

Now DD3 is almost 4 months old and I plan on working casually around my DH work come Nov/Dec when she is around 8-9months old. We wont put her in childcare until she pleads with us that she wants to go. Been a shift worker I can pick shifts to fit around DH work (who is self employed as a tradesman) so no childcare is needed.

[~mamaspice~]

I returned to work both times out of necessity. I returned to work part time (3 days) when DD was 3 months old. Then I went to full-time when she was about 18 months. I returned back to work part time (3 days) when DS was 4 months. My DH doesn't earn enough to support the family on one income unfortunately.

[M D]

This has been a real eye opener to me. I went back to work at when DD was 6 months old and this time around going to do the same. With DD I was ready to go to work and get out of the house, this time around I have another 3 mths to stay home but I am not ready yet to go back to work, that might change in the next three months. I think as I know how busy our life is when I am work, I am not as keen to go back.

I always assumed (why I am not sure) that most members on her were SAHM and often feel a little stressed about going back so early.

I guess it all boils down to doing what will work for your own family and not worrying about what others think.

[fionas]

DD1 was 12 months old when I went back to work part-time (5 days per fortnight). I had complications from the birth, couldn't walk very far, didn't drive and was socially isolated so in hindsight, I went back for my sanity more than anything else.

The job I had was two levels below what I was doing before as a manager even though I was paid the same and I was bored to tears and tearing my hair out.

So, wanting to avoid that situation again, we rejigged our life, sold up in the city and moved to the country to give us more financial flexibility.

DD2 is almost a year old and I'm not ready to go back to work yet. I'm having too much fun at home (whole different ball game this time, I can walk, can drive and am out and about rather than being stuck in the house) and feel like I'm making up for having such a rotten time health-wise first time around.

I'm planning to hire a babysitter and start doing some freelance work from home next year. When she's two, I'll assess where that's at and if it's not looking promising, I'll be looking for a part-time job for 2-3 days per week. Three days is realistic, two days per week in my profession is VERY hard to find.