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January 9, 2024

Rocking Parenting and Professional Life with a Newborn

Having a baby is one of the most joyful moments in life, but it can also be one of the most stressful times, especially when you’re trying to juggle both parenting and professional commitments. Working remotely with a newborn baby can be challenging, but it’s possible with the right approach. Below we’ve provided some tips that we hope help you navigate this new and exciting time in your life:

Create a Flexible Schedule

Flexibility allows you to adjust your work hours based on your baby’s needs and your own energy levels. This may mean working in shorter, more focused bursts during nap times or late in the evening when your baby is sleeping. By designing a schedule that works for both your work and parenting responsibilities, you can find a balance that allows you to be productive while still being present for your little one.

Communicate with Your Team/Manager

Clear and open communication with your team and manager is crucial when working remotely with a newborn. Be transparent about your needs and limitations, and discuss how you can effectively manage your workload. Set realistic expectations and establish clear boundaries to ensure everyone is on the same page. Regularly check in with your team and keep them informed of any changes or challenges you may be facing. This will help foster understanding and support from your colleagues and manager.

Prioritize and Delegate Tasks

Identify the most crucial and time-sensitive projects, and focus your energy on completing them first. Delegate non-essential tasks to colleagues or outsource them to freelancers or virtual assistants. By prioritizing and delegating, you can ensure that your workload remains manageable and that you have time and energy to devote to both your baby and your professional responsibilities.

Take Advantage of Naptime

Naptime can be a valuable opportunity for productivity. Use these quiet moments to tackle important tasks, catch up on emails, or attend virtual meetings. Prioritize your workload and make a to-do list so you can make the most of the limited time. Be prepared to work efficiently and focus on tasks that require uninterrupted concentration. If your baby naps on a schedule, that is also a great time to schedule meetings if you need to have them. Of course, there is no guarantee that your baby will nap or stay asleep during those meetings so be upfront with whomever you are meeting with or have a backup plan for someone to help out with the baby during those times. 

Take Care of Yourself Too

Taking care of yourself is crucial when balancing parenting and professional life with a newborn. Don’t forget to eat nutritious meals, get adequate sleep when you can, and ask for help from family and friends. By nurturing your own physical and mental health, you’ll be better equipped to handle the demands of remote work and parenting. Remind yourself, this is a season and it won’t last forever but you do need to make sure you are not overextending yourself when you have a newborn to care for.

Seek Support from Other Parents

Connecting with other parents who are also navigating the challenges of working remotely with a newborn can provide valuable support and encouragement. Seek out online communities, forums, or social media groups where you can share experiences, ask for advice, and gain insights from others who are going through a similar journey. By building a network of fellow parents, you can find comfort in knowing that you’re not alone and gain helpful tips and strategies for managing the demands of both parenting and professional life. We have a dedicated Facebook group for our audience that you can use to find new jobs but also connect with fellow moms.

If you have any tips for your fellow moms, share them with us!

 

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Written by
June 25, 2015 0 Comments

Working Moms: Avoid These 4 Common Mistakes During Baby’s First Year

Your maternity leave is over, and it’s time to go back to work. In one arm, you have a newborn baby to care for; in the other, you have a laptop. First realization: You will be living a double life from here on out.

If you are fortunate enough to work from home, it will be (slightly) easier to strike a balance and remain (somewhat) in a state of harmony. Take a look at four common oversights many working moms make in their baby’s first year, so you don’t make the same mistakes.

1. They Don’t Swaddle

A fussy baby will take the wind right out of your new mom sails as persistent exhaustion sets in. Swaddling is a time-honored technique that creates a safer sleeping environment for babies. Swaddling gently supports the baby’s natural position with legs and hips flexed inside a snugly fit blanket. The many advantages of swaddling include:

  • Supine swaddling (swaddling and placing babies on their back) can help reduce risk of SIDS
  • Swaddled babies sleep better
  • Swaddling reduces colic and fussiness
  • Swaddling can help when baby is learning to breastfeed

Not all swaddles are made the same. Choose blankets that are large enough to swaddle properly and are made from soft materials like cotton flannel and cotton muslin. Swaddle blankets made by SwaddleDesigns come with instructions sewn right on the tag, so you’ll never be left scratching your head. These designs are available online or at Target stores nationwide.

2. They Don’t Preserve Enough Memories

Sixty-one percent of mothers return to work at some point in baby’s first year, according to a Child Care Aware of America study. Because parenthood, work and life in general consumes so much time, many parents are not able to preserve the memories they’d like to. Then later on, feelings of guilt crop up.

If you work remotely, you have a better chance of catching and preserving milestones. For a little help to that end, check out this Parents article featuring creative ways to preserve memories.

3. They Don’t Let Others Help

The African proverb, “It takes a village to raise a child,” still rings true in many ways. If you are fortunate enough to have family and friends nearby, take advantage of your personal village. Here are some tips to help reduce stress:

  • You can’t effectively do it all. Ask your family for help.
  • If your spouse or other children ask to help you out, say yes. You may not realize it, but when you accept their help, they feel good about themselves. This can create a stronger family bond and reduce the stress on everyone.
  • If budget permits, get help from outside sources. Let the dry cleaners do your ironing or call a home cleaning service to dispel the dirt.
  • Delegate the things you don’t like to do.

4. They Rely on Motion to Get Their Baby to Sleep

Many parents will go to great lengths to help their child fall and stay asleep, but some of these methods are mistakes. Put an end to aimless driving through the neighborhood at midnight because your baby can’t sleep without being put in motion.

A child misses out on a deep, restorative sleep with motion-induced sleep. You don’t completely have to give up the idea of a musical swing, though. It’s okay to sooth an ornery baby with motion, but once sleep hits, stop the action and let him sleep soundly.

Being a working mom with a newborn is hard. But if you avoid these common pitfalls, it can be the most rewarding time of your life. And by swaddling, preserving memories, letting others help and teaching your baby to fall asleep without motion, you can sit back and feel a little less stress and a lot more connection.

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