5 Tips for Working from Home with a Newborn

First I want to say, if anyone has any additional advice PLEASE add to the conversation!

Boy oh boy this is not for the faint of heart. I'd say if your job is production based, I would not recommend attempting this. If your job is more laid back and flexible it can be a very beneficial set up. In retrospect I would not attempt this in an hourly based position if you are the only one home with your baby while you work.

1. Integrity

First things first. Be honest with your employer. You wouldn't want to be in their shoes with an employee taking advantage of you. Always make sure it's clear that they are okay with you caring for baby while you work. Many employers require childcare. If they are okay with it, that's a huge kindness! If you have to step away fully and focus on baby, make sure your time sheet reflects that and you communicate with your boss. Remember, they are paying you for a service.

2. Routine

As much as you can, find a groove. Eat breakfast before your shift. Make sure you have an easy lunch set up so you can quickly grab that when you get a chance. Get baby used to the sounds of you working, especially if you are talking on the phone for work. The last thing you want is baby waking from every little noise. Wash your face and do your hair (even if its just simply brushing it). I suggest this to help you feel human and like you have your shit together a little bit! Most people would say to get dressed too, and maybe you should! But to me, I'm just going to get spit up all over my clothes and don't need the extra laundry. I have limited amount of nursing-friendly options and highly value being comfortable. You do what works best for you!

3. Soothing Methods

I very much hope you have taken at least a little bit of a leave! I know it can be hard to figure out just how much time you should take. I took 6 weeks and it felt pretty ok for me but I also had a lot of help at home and work part time. If you can afford to, I'd advise to go ahead and take the 12 weeks. Baby's patterns will change a lot, and motherhood takes a lot of pivoting. Their eating will better regulate closer to that 12 week mark than the 6 weeks. Take whatever time you have to learn what little things baby likes. My boy loves the yoga ball, so I know that if he's super fussy I can employ the yoga ball. I will strap the carrier on, get him in and bounce away. I would wager that working from home with a baby is easier when you are breastfeeding as its a quick way to soothe them most of the time. You also don't really need your hands to feed them when you breastfeed so they are still free to work.

4. Gear up

I use this keyboard when I have to bounce or stand and sway. It's been a life saver since I don't have to keep a steady hand to use the mouse.

I use these earbuds. I have small ears and nothing stays in them no matter what. So I literally just twisted a piece of soft rubber coated wire around it to hang on to my ear! If you can afford something a bit nicer, these are my all time favorite.

I have a desktop with two screens. Now that he's more observant, I will often put Hey Bear on for him on one screen while he sits on my lap and he loves it. I like options, so I also have a laptop plugged in to my TV in my bedroom and a nice bed desk tray. Buy nice or buy twice on this one, I suggest the bigger of the two. This is where I mainly use that keyboard so all I have in bed with him and I is that sweet little keyboard. I'd also suggest using an angled wedge pillow so you can stay propped up at least a bit.

5. Have someone you can call

You will have moments where you want to pull your hair out. Put that baby down and walk away for a few minutes. A crying baby is a breathing baby. It helps so much to have someone you can call to hold that baby, maybe do a feed for you or get them to sleep. With that in mind you may want to line up your schedule with your help's availability a bit. I have my mom Jane come every Friday at whatever time she wants to give me a little relief. This has been so important!

Being a stay at home mom is HARD. Being a working mom is HARD. Being both at the same time... OOF. I am also actively looking for advice on this too, so if you have anything to add I would LOVE to hear it!