You are getting ready to embark on one of the greatest adventures of your life! While this major transformation will bring many surprises, there are ways that you can begin to prepare for the start of life with a new addition to your family and home. These tips could also be helpful in planning for paternity leave as well.

Preparing for Maternity Leave at Work

You can make your transition from working to maternity leave as smooth as possible by prioritizing what needs to be done before you leave and making a list of tasks that can be completed in your absence. This will put your mind at ease while you are home with your little one. Here are some steps you can take to prepare:

• Discuss maternity leave with your supervisor and your human resources department. If you are the boss, you might want to discuss your plans with those employees who report to you. Find out if anything needs to be submitted ahead of time to make sure you are receiving maternity pay.
  
• Decide what work needs to be completed before you take leave. Prioritize finishing important tasks in advance of your scheduled maternity leave, as you never know if your little one will decide to arrive earlier than expected.
  
• Document the responsibilities that need to be continued in your absence. You can create a checklist of tasks or a calendar that outlines project deadlines.
  
• Meet with the person who is going to cover for you while you are away. Take time to train them on your tasks and allow them some time to begin handling some of the responsibilities before your leave so that you can help them navigate any challenges that might arise.
  
• Create your "Away Message" for your emails. Inform others of your leave and the time they can expect you to be away. Provide contact details for someone to reach out to in your absence. Assure them that they are in good hands. For example:

  I’m currently on maternity leave and will return on [Return Date]. I will not be checking emails during this time. For assistance, please contact [Colleague’s Name] at [Colleague’s Email].

  Or for a warmer feeling, you could do something like this:

  I’m currently out on maternity leave as my family and I welcome our new little one! I’ll be away from [Start Date] to [Return Date] and won’t be checking emails regularly. For immediate assistance, please reach out to [Colleague’s Name] at [Colleague’s Email]. I look forward to reconnecting when I return!

Preparing for Maternity Leave at Home

Nesting will likely begin to kick in as you get closer to your due date. Use this energy to get organized at home. Here are several areas to focus on in preparation:

• Financial Preparation: Depending on your job, you may receive full, partial, or no pay during maternity leave. Be sure to budget for your regular expenses, as well as medical bills and baby-related purchases. Consider setting aside funds in advance.
  
• Prepare Your Home: Create a space for your baby. In addition to furniture, ensure you have all the essentials like diapers, clothing, bath items, and more.
  
• Self-care: It's important to have a support system in place. Family, friends, or hired help can be invaluable during this time. Take care of yourself by getting the rest, movement, and nutrition your body needs. Even small acts, like getting your hair or nails done, can improve your emotional well-being.
• Hospital Bag: Don't forget to plan for the essentials you'll need at the hospital. While the hospital will handle medical needs, you'll want to bring:
  
  • Comfortable clothing for yourself
    
  • Baby gowns or clothing
    
  • Toiletries for comfort
    
  • Blankets for you and your baby
    
  • An outfit for your baby to wear when going home

How Can You Maximize Your Maternity Leave?

All of your hard work and preparation will pay off, and now you can enjoy time with your new bundle of joy! While you are home with your baby, here are ways that you can use that time wisely:

• Prioritize spending time with your newborn. Productivity will come in the days following recovery from labor and delivery, but some other things can wait. This time is important for creating bonds and building neural pathways related to attachment in your baby's brain.
  
• Practice self-care. The best way to support your baby's growth and development is to ensure you care for yourself. Remember the saying "Rest when the baby rests" - it is not just a cute quote but essential to managing these early days well.
  
• Check in with work if you would like. You're not obligated to, but if you do feel like checking in, it might give you peace of mind knowing things are running smoothly.
  
• Create a plan for work-life balance. While you may not have a clear picture just yet, the early days with your baby will help you figure out how to balance everything moving forward.

Make the Most of Your Maternity Leave

Your maternity leave is a special and important time for bonding with your precious little one and preparing for all the changes that are ahead. Planning and preparation can make the transition a little easier and stress-free as possible. By focusing on both the work and home aspects - such as organizing your work tasks, setting up your home, managing finances, and practicing self-care - you will be in a better position to fully embrace this exciting new chapter in your life. Most importantly, give yourself grace and enjoy the valuable time with your baby. If you are looking for ways to connect with your baby during your maternity leave, Curious Baby Cards offers a variety of newborn development activities to bond with your baby and to help them grow.