10 Essentials for a Mom Coming Back From Maternity Leave

Breast pumps like the Elvie Wearable Double Electric Breast Pump, linked here, were not yet a thing when I made my way back to work from maternity leave. What I can tell you is that having something you can wear and sit with hands-free while you continue to catch up on the day's work would have made the whole pumping at work experience so much easier.

Getting dressed up for work again is stressful enough without having to worry about milk stains making their way onto your clothes. These reusable bamboo nursing pads made all the difference when it came to stopping leaks.

A cooler bag is a must for pumping moms. There's no easier way to keep that liquid gold cold than traveling to and from the office with your own cooler.

A good nursing bra will get you from postpartum to back to work and beyond. Choosing one that's high quality, like the one linked here, is important, as this item will be one piece you'll be wearing all the time both at work and at home.

Hydration is ultra-important for new moms, and making sure you're drinking enough water is necessary for both mom and baby. The 40-ounce cup linked here—an Amazon dupe for the super-popular Stanley Cup that's always sold out!—is sure to do the trick when you are office bound and need to stay hydrated at your desk and while on the go.

Snacks that support mom's postpartum hormones, blood sugar levels, and overall energy will do wonders when you're sleep-deprived and having to be back "on" at work. Set up a snack subscription box delivery (like the one linked here!) straight to the office and you'll never have to think about it again.

Treat going back to work like you did going back to school and splurge on a new bag with lots of space to spare. You'll need the extra room to bring pumping or postpartum accessories back and forth and treating yourself to a new accessory can help ease the pain.

Like I said, back to school is the name of the game when preparing to leave maternity leave, and nothing got me more excited to go back to school than a new notebook (and pens!). Besides, a new planner is an absolute necessity to keep your work and home schedules organized and all in one place.

For me, not knowing what my little guy was up to all day was a source of anxiety, and I also felt like I was missing out on so much. Setting up a good communication system with your caregiver is key, and, as always—there's an app for that. Daily Nanny allows two-way communication so you can see keep up with your little one's daily routine when you're not there.

You'll want to have pics at the ready to show everyone who wants to "oohhh and ahhhh" over your new bundle of joy. And having photos of the new baby easily accessible will make your separation anxiety much easier, too. Plus, don’t forget to add in a cute board book of photos of you and baby for them to look at while you’re out!