Working from home while caring for a baby is not an easy task! With the little nuggets rolling around and living their best lives, it can be challenging for women to balance parenthood with a career and do something they love, apart from adoring their little ones.
Statistics show that men and women have equally worked from home during the COVID period, but employed women are three times more likely than men to be their infant children’s main caregiver. As a result, women have to resort to working from home.
But don't worry, moms; TBS has you covered!
We talked to 10 moms on the TBS team to curate the best work-from-home guide for new mothers. Let’s see how the TBS moms managed to work from home with their little babies.
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Be flexible with your work schedule.
For new mothers, working from home might be a great option. TBS mom Manisha told us that the best way to work from home with a baby was to have a flexible work schedule. She also added that, “You have to be willing to put in odd hours of work in order to be able to do both, otherwise you won't be able to just try to complete your time within the allotted work hours.”
Working after hours will benefit you greatly because you'll need to take regular breaks.
So new mothers need not fear! You'll have plenty of time to do your tasks and take care of your adorable little ones by breaking out of your work hours.
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Turn your home into your office
TBS Mom Radhika spoke to us and said that she would often put on her work clothes. Even though getting dressed and prepared for the day may seem insignificant, it will make you feel more put-together and professional. Dressing will assist you in mentally getting ready for the day, even if you're just going to be sitting at your kitchen table.
If you can, create a discrete workspace in your home where you can close the door and concentrate fully. Try setting up a spot in your living room or bedroom to store all of your work-related supplies if you don't have access to an extra room. You can do this to keep yourself focused and organized while working from home, just like Radhika! This professional attitude also helped Radhika get a promotion!
- Be prepared for a little screen time
If you have a toddler, this advice will definitely prove beneficial. Your children remain at home during this time because they have not yet begun attending school.
Our TBS mom Prerna tried this, and it worked out for her! She said, "We must be ready to allow our youngster some screen time if we need to really focus on our work.”
TBS completely understands the need to restrict screen time for small children, but it is possible to temporarily increase screen time when you have strict deadlines or big projects to close. You won't need to worry about what your young one is watching because there are several TV shows and mobile platforms with kid-friendly content. Put your screens on auto-brightness or try to cover them with blue light filters to ensure your little ones don’t strain their eyes while learning new things on these devices.
- Induce a deep sleep environment for your baby to work better
It is common knowledge that you can complete the most important tasks while your baby sleeps. To make sure your baby sleeps well and comfortably for a long time, TBS is the right choice for you!
Aanchal, a new mom, told us that the first thing she did was buy a baby cot. She chose TBS for premium comfort, and also got a baby mattress with the cot bed. TBS also offers beautiful themes that will attract your baby to their cot bed and make them want to snooze.
We are confident that your baby will take luxuriously long naps and allow you to complete all of your tasks on time, just like our TBS mom Aanchal!
- Try to stay away from social media
With the advancement of technology, it is difficult to avoid wasting time on social media during downtime. TBS mom Anjali said that, “You will have to give up the fun side of the internet briefly as a young mother in order to support your child and your work.” We are aware that 2 minutes on social media may quickly grow into 2 hours! Anjali used apps like Antisocial to track how much time she spent on her phone exploring social media, so she could set a time limit. Her dedication to her work has been appreciated at her workplace.
Maintaining a presence on social media is still important, but try not to let it take your attention away from your daily obligations. You can use the internet during your break once your working hours are over.
Another way to avoid becoming sidetracked is to turn off your phone's alerts. To improve your concentration while working, think about leaving your phone in a separate room.
- Split the baby chores with your partner
While giving birth to a child could be seen as a woman's profession, caring for and nurturing that child is most definitely not! Take some time to unwind; you and your partner are in this together.
TBS mom Shraddha shared her experience with us, saying that it is easy to divide the workload with your partner if both work from home because you can alternate watching the infant. If your partner leaves the house for work, you can breathe a sigh of relief when they return. You deserve a rest after managing the job, the infant, and other domestic duties for so long!
- Keep calm and go easy on yourself
TBS mom Jyoti shed some light on the fact that keeping a calm and composed mind can go a long way. Due to their new circumstances, obligations, and postpartum period, new mothers frequently face heightened stress. Be kind to your newly altered life and to yourself. You can better manage your time if you work with patience. Jyoti also added that remaining calm has helped her career significantly.
Cabin fever can also occur if you spend a lot of time at home. In order to avoid that, try to incorporate enjoyable activities into your breaks and engage fully. It may be as easy as taking a soothing bath or watching seasons of your favorite TV shows, like Friends or Masterchef. Take a nap, go for a walk, or simply go outside for some fresh air. Breaks will help you recharge and come back to work feeling refreshed and ready to tackle whatever comes your way.
- Don’t guilt-trip yourself
Working from home is not as easy as it sounds. It can be difficult and exhausting to care for your child while also working from home. New mothers may be disappointed because they do not get to spend every waking moment with their child. They may also feel as if they are betraying their baby by choosing to spend their time focusing on work. But these are desperate times, and your career is equally important as your partner’s.
TBS mom Rakhi is right in saying that having a baby does not mean giving up on everything else in life. Your baby is the light of your life and will always remain that way. And besides, you are not just working for yourself but also to secure a better future for your child. So just ditch the guilt already!
- Work as your baby plays
It goes without saying that while your baby plays, you can get the most important tasks done.
TBS mom Pooja told us that she used to work the hardest when her baby played. She also added that she would come up with interesting activities and unique play ideas to keep her baby engaged for a long time.
There are tons of videos and articles on the internet that can educate you on how to create fun and safe activities for your child so that you can focus on your work without having to worry about a thing!
- Plan your entire week on Sunday
We loved this one tip from our TBS mom, Chetna! This can really change how women view working from home with their babies. Planning your entire week ahead on Sunday will really take a huge burden off your shoulders. You can plan your meals in advance, including what you will wear each day, complete all necessary chores, and stock up on all of your favorite snacks and necessities!
We are sure that this way you can have a lighter and brighter rest of the week with your baby!
Some last words
Working from home with a baby can be challenging, but it’s definitely doable with some planning and preparation. By following these tips that TBS super moms have shared, you can set yourself up for success while always being there to care for your little ones.