So, you’ve survived childbirth, learnt how to breastfeed (kind of), and figured out how to decipher the many noises your baby makes.
You may have even managed to fit in some much-needed self-care a few times a week.
But now comes the part you’ve been dreading: going back to work.
Re-entering the workforce after maternity leave sounds simple on paper.
In reality? It’s a weird emotional cocktail of excitement, guilt, panic, and the kind of exhaustion that makes running a marathon seem like a breeze.
And it turns out a lot of us are feeling the same way.
Let’s spill the tea on going back to work as a new mother and all the trials and tribulations that come with it.
The Emotional Whiplash of ‘Coming Back’
One minute you’re Googling, “my baby has colic; what do I do?” at 3 a.m.
The next, you’re back in meetings pretending to care more about quarterly projections while wondering if your breast pads are holding up.
Expecting someone to come back from a major life change and immediately perform like nothing happened is… kind of bananas. Let’s be real.
Depending on how soon or how late you return to work, your body might still be adjusting even if it’s been months since you gave birth.
Contrary to popular belief, your postpartum period doesn’t just end on a whim. It actually takes approximately one whole year before your body returns to functioning as it did pre-pregnancy.
Sitting around 8 hours on a stiff office chair is not doing anything to speed up your recovery. In fact, it might just jeopardise it.
And let’s be honest, some offices aren’t exactly mum-friendly places.
The support just isn’t always there. You might have a desk, but no place to pump. You’ve got KPIs, but no idea how to function on four hours of sleep.
It’s Not Just You (It’s the System)
Let’s get one thing straight: working mums aren’t struggling because they’re not trying hard enough.
They’re struggling because the system wasn’t designed with them in mind.
A 2024 Monster Malaysia study of 2,600 respondents highlighted major issues:
- 75% of Malaysian mothers quit their jobs because there wasn’t enough flexibility
- 60% cited childcare concerns
- 55% felt unsupported by their boss or workplace environment.
- Only 28% said their employer offered any flexibility or adjusted workloads
- Only 12% had access to dedicated lactation rooms
- Only 10% had workplace daycare
What you get is mums who seemingly quit within months of starting back in the workforce. And companies continue to wonder what they did wrong.
But here’s the twist: most mums who leave their old companies don’t stop working. They may just go somewhere that treats them better.
They found new roles that offered flexibility, support, and more empathy.
So, maybe the problem isn’t that mothers are flaking. Maybe companies just aren’t doing enough to make the return feel worth it.
So, What Actually Helps?
It’s not that mums don’t want to go back to work.
But the old way of doing things is no longer going to cut it.
So if a full-speed-ahead approach is not the right way, what is?
Many parts of Europe practise what is known as phased returns.
This is a flexible work arrangement that is afforded to those returning to work after a long period of absence (such as due to an illness or childbirth).
In other words: a little grace. The kind you’d give anyone after a huge, life-altering event.
Phased returns can ease stress, improve retention, and make new parents feel like humans instead of cogs.
Here are some other tips that you can follow to ensure a smoother transition back to the office:
- Start slow: A phased return or flex schedule gives people time to adjust without drowning.
- Train your team: Biases against “mummy brains” or reduced hours are real and damaging.
- Demand support: A lactation room no one knows how to unlock isn’t helpful. Real support is lived, not just printed in an HR handbook.
- Normalise flexibility: If dads, pet owners, and marathon runners can work remotely or adjust their hours, so can mums.
Making a Career Comeback
Let’s stop pretending like returning from maternity leave is just another Monday. It’s a huge moment.
Part celebration, part identity crisis, part logistics nightmare.
But with better workplace support, some cultural unlearning, and a bit of compassion, the return can be a chance to grow into a stronger, wiser version of yourself. One who knows how to bounce a baby with one hand and type an email with the other.
And honestly? That’s the kind of multitasking the workplace could use more of.
You’ve got this, my fellow mums!
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