Monday Musings: How to Love Working from Home with a Baby

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Happy Monday! It’s time to kick off Monday Musings – touching on working from home with a baby. As a bit of backstory, Ana June was born back in September of 2020. I took rest of 2020 as maternity leave (which was, without a doubt, some of the best months of my life) – and returned to work fully January 2021. Due to COVID-19, I chose to stay home to start, and it went so well I ended up opting to become a fully remote employee. Luckily I work for a very supportive company that worked with me to make this happen, and I have truly never been happier in my career.

I was lucky to have my husband home with me during the last nine months of work from home. For the first 3 months back, Ana and Rick were home with my full time. I was still breast feeding, and worked to balance that, being around for my baby, and also carrying a very full workload. My process wasn’t perfect, nor would it work for everyone, but I wanted to share a few ways we made it work.

Have your Support System

This is a biggie-and the biggest one. It would be extremely difficult, if not altogether impossible, to work from home full time and care or your under-one full time. You NEED a solid support system – whether this is your partner, help in the form of a full time or part time nanny, outside family, etc. For at least a portion of the day, you need to be able to focus on your job tasks, knocking off to do lists, etc.

Be Prepared to Work some Funky Hours for Awhile

Because I was breastfeeding, I needed to be available at certain times to step away and do that for 15-30 minutes. Personally, I was never a pumper (hated it with a passion) so this was what worked best for baby + me. Because I knew I would need these breaks 3-4 times a day, I would plan to start my day earlier to make sure I got my work/hours in. Being flexible was key to making this part work.

Have a Separate WorkSpace

I think this could be set for working from home in GENERAL, but it was such a game-changer when we finally got the spare bedroom converted into my office. Especially now that Ana is on the move, being able to be In a separate area is a must. I work in sales, and need to be able to have private phone calls, work with numbers, and be able to think. Whether it’s a corner in the bedroom or a separate office space (I really recommend a separate office space if you’re trying to make this a permanent move) try to have a zen-like atmosphere where you can really focus at the task at hand, and keep everything you need in arms reach.

Work for a Supportive Company

There are SO many companies that are supportive of women and moms with careers. We are truly the backbone of not only our companies, but many corporate structures as well. We all know – mamas get shit done! If you’re working for a chauvinistic company or one that does not support working moms/makes your life more difficult, come up with an exit plan. Life is too short and your family is too important – and there are SO MANY excellent companies, in every industry, that support the working mom.

Have a Morning Routine

SUCH a must. Create a morning routine and stick with it! If I’ve learned anything over the last year, babies THRIVE with routine. Have your designated wake time-frame, bottle/feed space, and wake-time activities planned and followed through with. Try your best to get yourself ready for the day – but we know that is easier said than done. My priorities were always getting sleep and making sure Ana’s routine was on the right track, the rest came later – IF there was time! I spent many a day in pajamas working in the beginning, and always managed to produce just fine.

Give Yourself Grace

The month I started back to work was also the time Ana hit the four month sleep regression. The first five weeks back were a severely sleep deprived blur of late night wakings, pacing around the house for hours, thinking about everything that had to be done in a few hours. It was HARD – even harder than the first month home. Please, if this is you, just remember This Will Pass! Give yourself grace to do the best you can. Progress – not perfection. If you need help – ask for it! If you need sleep – find help. As moms (especially business moms) put too much pressure on ourselves to have a perfect routine and schedule, and babies are ANYTHING but perfect. Lean into this time, focus on moving forward one day at a time, and I promise before too long you will be onto the next developmental stage and leave the sleep deprivation nights behind.

Don’t Forget the Most Important Thing

ENJOY WORKING FROM HOME! Take your breaks with your baby. Appreciate the extra snuggles, and one-on-one time, he interruptions. Not every mom is lucky enough to have this time, and so many wish they could. It’s easy to only focus on the annoyances, the breaks, the cries – but remember, being home so much during your babies first year is a huge blessing. Enjoy it!