How do I decide when to return to work?

Going back to work after having a baby or taking parental leave is an individual decision. It can depend on many things, including:

• the type of work you do
• your family arrangements
• your finances
• how your child copes with change

Parents often use flexible work arrangements when they have young children. Many children have some experience of childcare before starting school. Studies show that good quality early education helps children do well in school and in life later on.

The decision to return to work and the timing is your choice. There is no "right" timeline — it's about what works best for you and your situation.

What should I ask my employer?

Talk to your employer about how you might best balance the demands of your work and those of caring for your family. You might talk about:

• working part-time
• working from home
• flexible hours that fit your childcare arrangements

You may also be eligible for paid or unpaid parental leave, so you can have time off to look after your child. Read more about your rights to parental leave.

If you have problems that can't be resolved by talking to your employer, contact the Fair Work Ombudsman.

What childcare options are available?

When choosing childcare, consider your family's needs and the care options that best suit you and your child. The financial cost might also be a factor.

Possible childcare options include:

• friends or relatives
• family day care — care given in the educator's own home
• long day care — offers early education and care for children from birth to 6 years
• preschool or kindergarten — care for children the year before starting school
• occasional care in a childcare centre — casual care for children from 6 weeks to 6 years
• outside school hours care (OSHC) — for school aged children

Check whether you are eligible for financial help to cover the cost of childcare through the government's Child Care Subsidy program.

To find out more about childcare services near you, see StartingBlocks.gov.au and their Find Child Care tool.

Practical tips for going back to work

It's often helpful to talk to others who have recently gone back to work after parental leave. Ask them to share their experiences with you.

It's also a good idea do a short trial of childcare before you start work. For example, you could take your child to day care for just a few hours for the first couple of days before starting full days in care.

Sharing responsibilities

If you have a partner, you might want to discuss what will happen when you go back to work. You may want to talk about practical matters. Here are some examples:

• Who will pick up and drop off your child?
• Who will take time off if your child gets sick?
• How you will share tasks at home, such as cooking and cleaning?

Meal planning

Planning ahead can help avoid problems with food preparation when you are back at work.

For example, if your child eats solid food, you can make meals in advance.

Planning meals helps you budget, makes grocery shopping easier and helps to make sure you have a balanced diet. The Australian Guide to Healthy Eating can help with planning meals.

Breastfeeding

You might choose to return to work while you are still breastfeeding. If you are breastfeeding, ask your employer to support you by:

• providing a quiet place at work to express breast milk
• allowing you time to do this — this is your legal right

If you are breastfeeding, try and set up a breast pumping routine before you go back to work.

The Australian Breastfeeding Association is a great resource for learning more about breastfeeding and returning to work.

Feeling emotional

Returning to work after becoming a parent can be a big step. As this time approaches, you may feel many emotions. You might feel anxious about going back to work or guilty about leaving your child in someone else's care. Or you might be excited about the idea of returning to work and the chance to catch up with colleagues. These are all normal feelings.

You might also have to deal with your child's separation anxiety when you leave them to go to work.

Return to work involves a period of change for everyone, but things usually settle down.

Resources and support

There are lots of resources that can help you with the transition back to work:

• The Centre of Perinatal Excellence (COPE) has a wide range of information and support services for new parents.
• Services Australia has tips for re-entering the workforce after time away.
• myGov has more information about support after having a baby or taking parental leave.
• The Australian Human Rights Commission has more information about your legal rights when returning to work.

If you are feeling overwhelmed, you can talk with your doctor or early childhood nurse.

For advice and to get connected to local mental health services, call Medicare Mental Health on 1800 595 212. Check the operating times.

Call MensLine Australia on 1300 78 99 78 for telephone and online counselling services for men.

Looking for information for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people?

Visit Birthing on Country for information on projects that support Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander babies and their families.

SMS4 Deadly Dads helps First Nations Dads connect with their bub, support mum and look after themselves.

Looking for information for sexually and gender-diverse families?

The Centre of Perinatal Excellence (COPE) has resources and tips for LGBTIQ+ parents and rainbow families.