5 Tips For Working From Home With Baby

work-from-home

I had no clue how hard it was going to be when I went back to work. When I tell people I work from home I get the “Oh you’re so lucky look.” or the “How in the hell do you do that with a baby look?”. Working from home has it’s upsides and it’s downsides like anything else. Throw a baby in the mix and yourself a real juggling act. I thought I would share some tips for anyone who may be going through the same thing.

1. Work When Baby Sleeps..  I know they say sleep when the baby sleeps, but when you’re back at work you’ve got to reach for the laptop instead of the pillow. There are only so many working hours during the day so you have to take advantage of them when you can!

2. Get Help…   Designate time when your husband or another family member can watch the baby while you dedicate time to work. This is huge. You can’t do everything alone!

3. Multitask While Breastfeeding/Pumping…   Answer emails while breastfeeding. Return phone calls while pumping. I highly recommend a hands-free pumping bra if you want to get work done while pumping. This is the one I have.

4. Keep Nearby In A RocknPlay…   The RocknPlay has been a lifesaver in more ways than one. My little guy loves to sleep in it at night and also takes naps in it during the day. I can move it into my office during the day and just reach over to give him a little rock if needed. I seriously don’t know what I would do without it.

5. Stay Calm…   This is easier said than done. My first few days back were so stressful. I felt like I wasn’t doing anything good enough. I made mistakes from working too fast. I felt frustrated whenever Noah would cry. I stressed myself out way too much. It’s gotten easier everyday. Just remember that it will get easier and do your best. You’re doing better than you think!

Have any other tips? Leave them in the comments!

21 Comments

  1. Betsy on May 4, 2015 at 4:04 pm

    These are great tips! I’m not a mom yet but I’m saving these for when I am!

    • leeannefoltz@gmail.com on May 4, 2015 at 4:04 pm

      Awe thanks Betsy! They will come in handy 🙂

  2. Bruce on May 4, 2015 at 4:09 pm

    Those are some cute baby feet in the pic!

    • leeannefoltz@gmail.com on May 4, 2015 at 4:13 pm

      Hehe, thanks 🙂

  3. Natalie on May 4, 2015 at 7:37 pm

    These are all great tips! I’ve worked from home since I was pregnant, and balancing work and my daughter can be a full time job in and of itself. I’m slowly learning how to work as she grows–it’s a never ending balancing act!

    • leeannefoltz@gmail.com on May 4, 2015 at 7:41 pm

      It sure is! Especially when they start needing more entertainment!

  4. annabelt on May 5, 2015 at 1:21 am

    Working from home with a toddler is a challenge as well! I’ve found it helps (a bit!) to put in some playtime first, for less of a tug of war later!

    • leeannefoltz@gmail.com on May 5, 2015 at 9:03 am

      LOL, good tip!

  5. ashley on May 5, 2015 at 8:26 am

    Great tips! I currently work from home without a baby, but we’re hoping to grow our family soon and I know I will need all the help I can get!

    • leeannefoltz@gmail.com on May 5, 2015 at 9:02 am

      Awe 🙂 I worked from home before baby as well and it was quite different afterwards ha! Good Luck! 🙂

  6. Cheryl Shireman on May 5, 2015 at 10:40 am

    One more tip – forget trying to “catch up” because it will never happen. You will always be a little behind (or at least feel as if you are). That’s just part of life as a parent.
    And just one more – enjoy every second. Soon you’ll be dropping him off at some university (and driving away sobbing!). 🙂

    • leeannefoltz@gmail.com on May 5, 2015 at 11:05 am

      True 🙂

  7. Nikki on May 5, 2015 at 11:00 am

    It’s almost like I wrote this 😉 I know exactly how you feel.. Just add numerous cups of coffee to my list!

    • leeannefoltz@gmail.com on May 5, 2015 at 11:05 am

      Oh, yes… how did I forget coffee??

  8. Brittany Deal on May 5, 2015 at 1:37 pm

    I needed to read this! I am newer to the blogging world (long time reader, more recent blogger). I have really started to try to take my blogging more seriously and I am finding it so hard to juggle my 9 month old and blogging at a professional level. My daughter is now into everything so I am forced to only work when I have someone to watch her or nap times. However, on the bright side it has made me crazy efficient at getting things accomplished!

    • leeannefoltz@gmail.com on May 5, 2015 at 3:01 pm

      Awe! I bet a 9 month old needs even more attention than my 3 month old! Stick with it girl!

  9. Jess on May 6, 2015 at 4:15 pm

    Great tips! Just shared it with my friend who is having her first baby in June, this will be so helpful to her! 🙂

    • leeannefoltz@gmail.com on May 6, 2015 at 4:20 pm

      Awe, thanks for sharing Jess!

  10. Anita on May 8, 2015 at 12:04 am

    Great tips! I totally agree with #2…as a new mom you’re so determined to show that you can do everything that it can be hard to admit you could use a hand! I definitely needed someone to help watch my baby when I really needed to focus for a couple hours on work!

    • leeannefoltz@gmail.com on May 8, 2015 at 9:01 am

      Thanks Anita! 🙂

  11. Tif @ Bright on a Budget on May 13, 2015 at 9:04 pm

    Love these suggestions! I had 9 weeks of maternity leave, but I did have to do some work from home during that time (I have similar pics of Kane by my computer). And I pumped for 13+ months at the office, and I would always do work while pumping so I didn’t have to use break time.

    Tif
    http://www.brightonabudget.com

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