When to return to work

It looks like I will have to return to work for financial reasons. Is there are ideal time to do this?

Like almost every decision you will have to make concerning the welfare of your baby, it really depends completely on your situation. The criteria that is most discussed is that you should wait until you have established a strong bond with your baby. So of course this will vary enormously from person to person. Some babies and their mothers make an instant bond. However, babies who have colic or struggle in other ways to adapt to life outside the womb, may take up to six months or a year before they really attach themselves to their mothers.

If the decision to return to work is chiefly financial, then the maternity leave pay may be the deciding factor. Your employer is only obliged to give you four months’ maternity leave and to hold your job for this period of time. Although your employer is not entitled to pay you, you can claim a portion of your salary from the Department of labour for a period of 17 weeks. So this may limit the time that you are able to spend at home. Your employer may offer other options, but this will be at their discretion so it is important for you to speak to the Human Resources manager and get the full picture.