If you’re like many new moms, the first weeks at home with your newborn will run the gamut of emotions, from overwhelming love and joy (your baby is finally here!) to feelings of self-doubt and worry — not to mention 1,001 questions.

That’s because the early days with your tiny new family member involve lots of learning — from getting the basics of baby care down to finding your groove as a mom (and learning to get by in a sleep-deprived state!).

If you’re planning to go back to work, you may be keenly aware that your time at home on maternity leave with your new little love is limited, which can make you all the more eager to figure everything out as quickly as you can.

Here are a few ways to enjoy your maternity leave, and make the most out of every minute. To read this article in its entirety, click HERE.

• Get to know your newborn
• Let the outside world wait a little
• Ask for help
• Hire help if you can
• Leave work at work
• Go for walks
• Don’t feel guilty about leaving the house
• Seek out other new moms
• Start exercising again
• Line up childcare
• Prepare for a smooth transition
• Start to think about weaning
• Have a backup plan
• Try not to be too sad

And remember, reevaluate your options if you need to. If for some reason, you find that working outside the home — or working from home — isn’t working out for you, that’s okay too. You’re not the first (and you won’t be the last) new mom to change her mind about returning to work.

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