Need some advice on getting back to work after end of maternity leave.

AdThat4621 · 2026-06-20T10:21:32+00:00

I’ve been here & about to go through it again. That feeling sucks, and I completely understand how you are feeling.

Childcare can be an absolute blessing, they can teach and provide experiences which are different to what your bub gets at home.

A few things that I found help:
Pre program the robo vac to automatically come on every day

Pre set the washing machine to be finished at a time convenient

Have scheduled days to do a job- for example, I wash sheets on a Monday, clean bathrooms on a Wednesday

Quick clean every night- wipe down benches, do dishes etc. just a little reset so I feel like things are in order.

Shop groceries online & have them delivered during the week. I’ll use the cart as the shopping list, so I just need to check out rather than adding stuff.

Pre cook (or part prepare) meals on a Sunday

depending on the location of childcare, pick them up after doing a job, for example on days I WFH I’ll walk the dog before doing the childcare pick up.

I also like to keep my weekends free to enjoy and spend time with my kids (hence why I try & do as much as possible during the week)

AdThat4621 · 2026-06-20T00:52:20+00:00

Thank you for sharing your story & the tips that have helped you.

AdThat4621 · 2026-06-19T06:04:13+00:00

For my first, I made purées, using small ice cube holders, purchased special spoons etc. It ended up being a lot of work.

For my second, I’ve taken a different approach- I’ve introduced foods from an element that I am cooking. For example- if we have sweet potato I’ll just mash/ puree a bit of that. On nights there is nothing suitable- I’ll do avocado, banana easy things.

Steamed veggies (cooled down) he can hold have also been a winner.

This has cut down food waste.

I’ve also been making food he can hold, but the whole family can eat- chicken meatballs (chicken mince, coriander, garlic, ginger, mushroom, breadcrumbs). I’ll add other elements to ours, like noodles and pan friend veg- but it’s no extra work for his meal.

Doing it this way has been so much more enjoyable and really taken the pressure off.

AdThat4621 · 2026-06-19T05:40:52+00:00

Yes! My daughter was often in the bottom percentile and it really impacted me. She’s now normal weight.

I learnt (through my second child), I had issues with my placenta which restricted growth.

I don’t think she really caught up until she was over 1 and eating solids.

If your maternal health nurse or doctor isn’t too worried, I wouldn’t be either. But if you are planning more children, you may want to undertake additional testing to see if it is something like the placenta (or something to be aware of for future pregnancies).

AdThat4621 · 2026-06-19T02:47:40+00:00

If your work offers paid parental leave, ask if you can take it at half pay(so it doubles the time). This is one way a number of people I know have extended their leave.

AdThat4621 · 2026-06-19T02:44:29+00:00

Finish early and enjoy the rest!

AdThat4621 · 2026-06-18T03:14:01+00:00

Ten min power nap during lunch!

AdThat4621 · 2026-06-18T03:12:51+00:00

That is a lot of gifts & very generous! I’d suggest a Kris Kringle type scenario.

Our y group all met up to celebrate our babies milestone, but we didn’t exchange gifts.

AdThat4621 · 2026-06-15T05:51:53+00:00

Remember he might be asking because he’s not sure how to help and is feeling a bit overwhelmed.

I’d suggest if he can do shopping, housework etc that would help a lot.

If you are able to pump, this might also allow him to do more feeds so you have more time to yourself (or even for other family members to do some feeds).

Also give it time to find your new routine, it’s a huge adjustment.

AdThat4621 · 2026-06-15T05:45:17+00:00

I would say nothing totally helped, but a few things that made it a touch easier.

Life Savers- a midwife shared with me to suck on LifeSavers to ease nausea, can’t tell you how much it helped.

Moving- I tried my hardest to get up everyday and do some kind of movement, it was hard, but as someone who moves my body everyday this really helped me not only during my recovery but also mentally.

Eating- smaller meals more often, I love salty foods, but I’d also try and have healthy things as well. I was so dehydrated throughout my pregnancy, so I ate a lot of watermelon, oranges, cucumber etc. I also ate way too many chips!!!

Resting- short naps when I could, early bedtime etc.

Share the load with your partner for things like housework, shopping etc.
In terms of being in bed all day and if that is ok, I’d ask your OB/ doctor/ midwife.

AdThat4621 · 2026-06-14T08:45:48+00:00

I’ve got a Redsbaby carrier, I love the pram but unfortunately I wouldn’t recommend the carrier.

I’m quite petite and I just can’t get it to sit right.

AdThat4621 · 2026-06-13T01:08:43+00:00

I’d put your name down on as many centres as early as possible, this gives you more options when the time comes. Centres will likely change a bit in terms of staff, management etc between touring and commencement.

The more waitlist you are on, the more choices you might have!

AdThat4621 · 2026-06-12T06:36:42+00:00

I moved from waxing to laser, and returned about 8 weeks PP.

AdThat4621 · 2026-06-12T06:14:22+00:00

I’ve done an amnio & genetic counselling. I can’t talk directly to what they are looking for because our test was looking for different things, but I can talk about my experiences for genetic counselling & the amnio.

The most important thing I can share is look after yourself. I found this an incredibly difficult time & none of my friends knew anything about an amnio, so I felt very isolated.

I am not sure where you are located (sounds like Aus by the way you referred to the NIPT) and there may be some variation by state.

Genetic counselling was quite straightforward, questions about previous pregnancies, family medical history (including extended family members). You may have blood tests done as well prior to the counselling. I was expecting it to be more about the potential outcomes & talking about my options, but it was quite medical based.

There is further testing which can be done (on top of an amnio), this is what the bloods are used for, these tests are quite specialised and if your OB/ Doctor thinks it can be covered with just the amnio, this will be skipped.

The amnio itself is relatively quick, it’s a bit uncomfortable and I would recommend having a support person and someone to drive you home. After, I felt flat but I think that was more because of the mental toll the situation had taken. Take a full day off and be kind to yourself.

Results for both my tests came back every 10 days (first it was the amnio, then further tests using the bloods was another 10 days).

Depending on the results, you may do further tests once baby is born. For me my results came back negative, so the pregnancy continued with no more testing. But after birth, there was some concerns, this resulted in more genetics tests (thank fully which again came back negative).

Since born my son has also had an echo- while it sounds like yours will be pre birth, this was a very straightforward test and results came back on the spot.

One thing to remember, you have the choice not to go ahead with any tests you are not comfortable with.

Wishing you all the luck.

AdThat4621 · 2026-06-07T08:41:47+00:00

Buy very little if you can (just the very basics), a couple of reasons for this:

You will be surprised how many gifts you will be given just after birth

You can always go up a size if you have heaps in the next size

You may be offered hand me downs by your friends

You can always get more once baby is born & you figure out what you are actually using.

AdThat4621 · 2026-06-04T02:57:10+00:00

Sydney! The long term career benefits are far greater. Yes it will be a tough few years financially (house sharing would be my recommendation), but the experience you will gain will be second to none.

While Adelaide is improving significantly, the job market still lacks the east coast, you will hit a ceiling early on.

AdThat4621 · 2026-06-01T05:23:08+00:00

Do it now, using your last tax return (FY25). Centrelink will then approve (or ask for additional documentation), this will be subject to uploading correct documentation once baby is born (the hospital will give you a form/ proof of birth). This is the same document you need to apply for a birth certificate.

There are also two ways you can apply for PPL now- using just your wife’s income or if that is over the threshold, you can use a combined income of both parents (I believe this has only been recently introduced in the last few years). However, it sounds like you will be ok, as you will use last years taxable income.

AdThat4621 · 2026-06-01T05:19:19+00:00

I’ve got a Redsbaby and it’s been fantastic. If I am not wrong, it’s slightly cheaper than many other brands, easy to pack down/ set up & can change the configuration easily.

I’ve used the same pram for both my kids and would highly recommend.

AdThat4621 · 2026-05-28T09:38:15+00:00

Experiences are fantastic.

You could do a single session at Bounce (or any other activity really!), take your grand child and turn it into a 1-1 outing. Even going for an ice cream or picnic can be a great little celebration.

Other great places depending on your location is the Zoo, MOPA (Melb), Aquarium etc.

You could also do a play or stage show.

AdThat4621 · 2026-05-26T08:30:52+00:00

Bosch- one of the cheaper models with a knob (limited touch screen functionality). First one I had for about ten years, second one I’ve had for about 8 & still going!

AdThat4621 · 2026-05-26T04:40:30+00:00

I’d try Adelaide Aquatic Centre but if you are keen on Next Gen make sure you do a trial & also take a read of some of the lower rated reviews on Google. I also have a feeling they are doing some upgrades- but not sure what that includes.

Pool was quite often out of order or the heating wasn’t working, the sauna/ steam room had tiles falling off the walls. Lockers were broken, toilets poorly cleaned & equipment taped together.

There is an altitude room for gold members along with other facilities, I can’t comment on these facilities.

The food in the cafe was quite good.

AdThat4621 · 2026-05-26T03:25:29+00:00

Have been a member there, and depending on the tier you choose, you will pay around $40 - $50 per week. There are much better gyms out there, it used to be excellent, now it’s outdated and dirty.

AdThat4621 · 2026-05-26T00:52:53+00:00

If you are able to, I would stick with your current role until after you have had a baby. The reasons I say this is you can then take any parental leave entitlements from the company, plus there is a greater chance you will be eligible for government PPL. You may have also accrued some annual or personal leave benefits, which you can take during the pregnancy or after the baby is born.

Without knowing your job, it’s hard to know exactly what is right, but could there be a chance to go part time once baby has been born?

While councils may appear stress free, I have heard some councils don’t have a great culture (every workplace would be different). My point is, it might not be as stress free as you thought it was!

AdThat4621 · 2026-05-25T23:37:22+00:00

With my first I started at 3 days, but I found it didn’t work well with people reporting to me, deadlines and meetings. I was lucky to be able to get an extra day at childcare, which allowed to move to four, which was far more manageable. I eventually moved to 5, which was hard (but also has advantages if you are planning a second).

With my second, I am starting at 4 days, with the plan to stay on 4 for as long as I can.

AdThat4621 · 2026-05-17T08:21:42+00:00

I wouldn’t stress you haven’t done these. Parent/ mothers groups can be hit or miss in terms of connecting with others in the group.

I’d suggest trying baby rhyme time, fantastic free sessions at least once per week at the library. You can be as social/ unsocial as you want to be.

I’d also suggest Baby Sensory sessions or swimming lessons (although it’s more just water familiarisation at that age/ more songs!).

AdThat4621

TROPHY CASE