Navigating Maternity Leave & Returning To Work In Singapore: A Survival Guide For The First Month
- 5 min reading time
Stepping into maternity leave and then stepping back to work can feel like living two different lives at once. There’s joy, exhaustion, uncertainty, and that small voice wondering, “Am I doing this right?”.
If you’re a new mum in Singapore navigating this huge transition, you’re not alone. Whether you’re planning your first maternity leave or preparing to return to the office, here’s a gentle, practical guide to help you survive (and maybe even enjoy) your first month.
Before Maternity Leave: Set Yourself Up For Success
Singapore’s maternity leave policies are generous, but the reality of newborn life is unpredictable. Think of your plan as a loose structure, not a rigid schedule.
Prepare your essentials early
Try to gather key baby items before your due date so you’re not scrambling postpartum. Many mums in Singapore keep a simple setup:
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Diapers and wet wipes
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Baby-safe bathing items
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Swaddles and sleepwear
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Comfy pillows and bedding.
HOMIE’s newborn essentials – like ultra-soft Baby Bamboo Pillowcases and Super Absorbent Diaper for later months – can help lighten the load with products that focus on comfort and practicality.
During Maternity Leave: Build Routines That Feel Good
Create small anchors in your day
With a newborn, routine looks nothing like your old life. Instead, create tiny anchors:
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Morning sunlight while feeding
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A warm bath before bedtime
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10 minutes of quiet with a cup of tea.
Even small rituals help your mind adjust and ground your day.
Make rest non-negotiable
If you can’t sleep while your little one is asleep, that’s okay – even lying down for 20 minutes helps. Soft, breathable bedding can make rest feel more comfortable for both you and your baby.
Streamline nights
Night feeds are one of the hardest parts. Prepare a nighttime basket with:
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Extra diapers
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Water for you
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A light, comfy pillow.
Keeping everything within arm’s reach reduces stress and helps you move calmly in the dark.
Preparing To Return To Work: The Emotional Shift
Transitioning back to work after maternity leave can stir up a surprising mix of emotion. Many mums expect to feel ready, then suddenly realise they’re anxious, sad, excited, or even relieved. All these feelings can coexist, and none of them mean you’re doing motherhood “wrong”. They simply mean you care.
Give yourself time to acknowledge what’s coming. Start by mentally easing back into a work mindset:
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Check your emails a week before,
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Look at your upcoming projects, and
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Imagine what your daily routine might look like with a baby in the picture.
This gentle warm-up can make the accrual return feel less jarring.
Next, simplify the logistics. A smooth first week often depends on preparation done quietly in the background. Pack-and-go systems like dedicating one drawer for diapers, wipes, extra outfits, and swim pants help make mornings less stressful.
Finally, talk through expectations with your partner or support system. Who prepares bottles? Who steps in when the unexpected happens? Being on the same page reduces tension later – which is incredibly important when you’re already emotionally stretched. The goal isn’t perfection, but stability and shared understanding as you move forward into a new chapter.
The First Month Back: Survival Mode With Grace
Give yourself a soft landing where possible. A mid-week return, for example, eases you into the rhythm without overwhelming you. The short first week gives your heart and body time to adjust while you figure out realistic routines for mornings, evenings, and pumping breaks.
Evenings with your baby might feel rushed, but they don’t have to feel disconnected. A cosy routine – a warm bath, a fresh diaper, a few minutes of cuddles, and a familiar comfort item like a favourite bedtime accessory – can turn a short window into a meaningful one. Babies don’t count hours; they feel warmth, presence, and security. And that’s something you can offer even on the busiest days.
You’re Doing Better Than You Think
Motherhood has a way of making you question everything. You wonder if you’re giving enough, being present enough, balancing enough. But here’s the truth: showing up every day – even when you’re tired, unsure, or stretched thin – is already an act of love that your baby feels deeply.
Your baby doesn’t measure the value of your motherhood by the number of hours you spend with them or how flawlessly you juggle work and home. They feel your warmth when you hold them at night, your care in the routines you build, and your love in every small gesture, even the rushed ones.
There will be days that feel overwhelming, mornings when you cry before work, and evenings when you collapse into bed. But there will also be moments – a giggle, a tiny hand reaching for you, a quiet cuddle – that remind you why you’re doing this. Those moments mean more than any perfect schedule or a spotless house ever could.
So take a deep breath, soften your shoulders, and give yourself grace. You are navigating one of the biggest transitions in life, and you’re doing it with more strength and tenderness than you realise. And that is enough. More than enough.
