Your Maternity Leave Survival Guide, Week by Week

Let's get one thing out of the way: maternity leave isn't a vacation. It's time to recover from birth, get to know your baby and adjust to life as a new parent. But what does that time off of work actually look like?

Even if you've been looking forward to stepping away from work, the shift can feel surprisingly big. Your days suddenly revolve around feedings, diaper changes, naps (yes, the baby's, but also hopefully yours) and figuring things out one day at a time.

So we asked Babylist parents currently on leave one simple question: What's getting you through this exact moment?

Their answers ranged from practical (a BabyBjörn bouncer, a Kindle, midnight snacks) to emotional reminders ("This is temporary"). I've also sprinkled in a few lessons I learned during my own two maternity leaves. Together, they paint a pretty honest picture of what maternity leave actually looks like—and what can make it a little easier, whether you're in week one or month six. (Pro tip: looking for what you can expect in your parenting journey as baby grows? Check out our Baby Week by Week articles for even more tips and insight.)

Before baby arrives: Use the time in whatever way feels helpful

Not everyone's maternity leave starts after baby arrives. Depending on your employer, your healthcare provider or how you're feeling toward the end of pregnancy, you may have a week or two (or more) before labor.

If that's you, don't feel like you have to fill every minute with productivity. If resting is what your body needs, that's time well spent, too.

Prep a few easy meals. No one is expecting you to put together a freezer full of homemade lasagna. But future you will probably appreciate having a few meals ready to go—or even just stocking up on frozen favorites and easy snacks.

Take care of the little things. Refill prescriptions. Schedule that haircut. Finish any errands that have been lingering on your to-do list. You don't have to check off everything before baby arrives, but taking care of a few practical tasks now can make those first weeks feel a little less hectic.

Nest...if that's your thing. For some people, nesting looks like organizing every drawer in the house. For others, it looks like putting clean sheets on the bed and calling it a day. There's no right way to prepare. Focus on the things that will make you feel more comfortable when you walk through the door with your baby.

Make time for yourself, too. Whether that's meeting a friend for lunch, sleeping in, reading a book or enjoying one last uninterrupted date night, it's okay to spend some of this time doing things you enjoy. Life is about to look very different—and that's worth acknowledging, too.

Weeks 1–2: Focus on Getting Through Today

The first couple of weeks are all about recovery and getting to know your baby. Chances are, your days don't look much different from your nights—and that's completely normal.

If that sounds...a little monotonous, you're not wrong.

When we asked Babylist parents in a recent newsletter what was getting them through this stage of leave, many of their answers were surprisingly simple and practical, and often they were tiny comforts that made long days and even longer nights less overwhelming.

Keep easy snacks within reach

• Whether you're nursing, pumping or simply awake at all hours with a newborn, having snacks on hand to refuel is always a good idea. Parents told us that having filling, grab-and-go snacks nearby in either a nursing cart or dedicated caddy was a game changer. One parent summed it up perfectly: "This EXACT MOMENT is a middle-of-the-night pumping session. I've been looking forward to snacking on a Perfect Bar."

• Other easy-to-grab favorites parents called out included Uncrustables, peanut butter crackers and chewy granola bars—basically anything you can eat with one hand while your other arm is occupied.

Lower the bar for productivity

If your biggest accomplishment today was feeding yourself, keeping your baby fed and maybe squeezing in a shower, that's enough! 

The early postpartum period is about healing and adjusting—not catching up on housework or checking off your to-do list. Laundry will still be there in a few weeks. It’s also understandable that sometimes looking at the mess can make you feel worse. This is one of those situations when leaning into your village and asking for help is a brave move, not a weakness.

Find one small thing that's just for you

It’s surprisingly easy to overlook your own needs when you're taking care of a baby. Make doing one thing that’s just for you a non-negotiable. Maybe it's watching one episode of your favorite show during a contact nap. Maybe it's listening to an audiobook during a middle-of-the-night feeding. It could be taking five minutes to wash your face and refresh your messy bun. Or maybe it's drinking your morning coffee while it's still hot (a lofty goal, we know). The little rituals add up, and they’re what makes the hard parts a bit easier to manage. 

Keep this mantra in mind

One phrase showed up again and again in our newsletter survey responses, and the gist was: "This is temporary." And this is a sentiment we would like to reiterate a thousand times over. Everything is just a phase, and it will not last forever. The days feel neverending when you’re in them—but keeping how temporary it all is in mind can bring you a bit of solace. It doesn’t make a sleepless night feel shorter, but many parents said remembering that this season is fleeting helped them get through the toughest moments.

Weeks 3–6: Settle Into Your New Rhythm

By now, you may be feeling a little more confident reading your baby's cues—or at least a little more comfortable embracing the unpredictability. But if you're still finding your groove, that's also normal. 

Here's what Babylist parents in this stage said was helping them get through these weeks.

Make the most of your nap-trapped downtime

When your baby falls asleep on you for the third time that day, getting up isn't always an option. Plenty of Babylist parents said they leaned into activities they could do with one hand. One parent shared, "My Kindle has been my lifesaver/boredom buster! I can read with one hand during nursing, rocking and contact naps."

If you’re looking for a few titles to add to your TBR, here’s what parents said they’re reading:

• Famesick by Lena Dunham

• Strangers by Belle Burden

• Rites of the Starling by Devney Perry

Others recommended downloading the Libby app to borrow ebooks and audiobooks from the library. (If you don't already have a library card, now's a great time to get one—most libraries let you sign up online, and you'll get access to thousands of free ebooks and audiobooks.)

And of course, leave is actually a great time to finally start that TV series you’ve been meaning to watch. In fact, binge-worthy shows were the most common answer we received. Here are the top recommendations if you need something to queue up:

• Margo's Got Money Problems

• The Pitt

• Queer Eye

• The Morning Show

• Ted Lasso

• Grey's Anatomy

• Sex and the City

• Modern Family 

…and yes, plenty of Bravo shows also made the list. Our commerce editor, who's currently on leave, is also making her way through The Walking Dead for the third (or maybe fourth?) time. Apparently zombies make excellent maternity leave TV!

Give yourself a hands-free break

As your baby becomes more alert, you might appreciate having a safe place to set them down while you eat lunch, brush your teeth or simply use both hands for a few minutes.

Several parents swore by the BabyBjörn Bouncer, with one joking, "Baby hasn't pooped? Put them in the bouncer! We call it the magic bouncer—usually within minutes, we have a poop situation on our hands." (We can confirm that there may actually be something to the "baby bouncer poop trick"). 

A safe spot on the floor also comes in handy—think a playmat with a few high contrast cards set up or a playgym like Lalo or Lovevery.

Get outside if you can

The walls of your home can start to feel a little closer after several weeks indoors. Even 15 minutes outside can help break up the day. Even a short walk around the block or a trip to grab coffee can help break up the day. Wearing your baby in a carrier or wrap can make those outings a little less intimidating, especially during the newborn stage when many babies prefer being held close. One parent shared, “Lunch dates with my husband during the week when the restaurants aren’t so busy.”

Remember: you don't have to maximize every minute

You may start feeling pressure to "get back to normal" around this point. But your normal has changed—and that's okay. It will take some time to figure out what that looks like now that you’ve got a tiny human you’re responsible for. 

Whether your biggest accomplishment today is washing your hair, finishing a chapter on your Kindle or simply making it through another day, you're doing exactly what you need to be doing.

Weeks 7–12: Find Little Ways To Feel Like Yourself Again

Around the two-month mark, many parents told us they were ready for a change of scenery. That didn't mean taking big trips or packing their calendar—it meant finding small ways to get out of the house and reconnect with the parts of life they missed.

An iced coffee. A walk around the neighborhood. A quick errand. These tiny outings parents mentioned can feel super refreshing and remind you that you’re still in there.

Celebrate the small wins

Getting out the door with a baby isn't as effortless as it once was, but it is doable. (How can one tiny person require so much stuff?) For some parents, reckoning with that feeling of a loss of freedom is tough to swallow. But even a short trip can help break up the day and build your confidence.

One Babylist parent shared that their favorite part of the day was grabbing an iced coffee after daycare drop-off with an older child—a small routine that helped them feel like themselves again. Others mentioned tackling a quick errand between naps. None of these moments stand out as particularly glamorous, but they offer a welcome change of pace that breaks up some of that “groundhog day” feeling.

Lean on the products that make life easier

By now, you've probably figured out which baby gear earns its keep.

For many Babylist parents, a comfortable baby carrier made it easier to leave the house. Others couldn't imagine life without a hands-free pump or a bottle washer that cut down on one more daily chore. You don't need every gadget on the market. But finding a few products that fit your routine can make everyday tasks feel a little less overwhelming.

Momcozy 
KleanPal Pro Baby Bottle Washer and Sterilizer

One less thing to wash by hand, especially once bottles and pump parts start piling up.

Buy

Add to Babylist

Babylist$299.99

BabyBjörn 
Bouncer Bliss and Toy Bar Bundle

A safe place to set baby down while you eat, shower or finally brush your teeth.

Buy

Add to Babylist

Babylist$247.99

Zomee 
Fit Hands Free Wearable Breast Pump

Lets you pump while making breakfast, folding laundry or simply enjoying the freedom to use both hands.

Buy

Add to Babylist

Babylist$189.99

Amazon$189.99

Remember that every leave looks different

Something else Babylist parents made clear is that there isn't a universal maternity leave experience. Some were soaking up every contact nap, while others were juggling an older child or thinking about returning to work. No matter where you are on your leave timeline, try to resist the urge to compare your experience to someone else's. Your routine—and your timeline—will be unique to you and your family.

Month 4 And Beyond: Settle Into What Works For You

If your leave extends into month four and beyond, Babylist parents said these were the routines and reminders that stuck with them.

By this point, you've probably settled into somewhat of a new normal—even if every day looks a bit different. And you’ve also learned a lot about your baby and about yourself as a parent. Of course, babies have a funny way of changing things up just when you think you've cracked the code. But many parents say this is when they start feeling a little more confident navigating the unexpected.

Keep the routines that make your days easier

Maybe it's your morning walk with the stroller. Maybe it's listening to an audiobook during nap time or meeting another parent at the park for coffee and fresh air. The routines don't have to be elaborate. In fact, the smallest ones often become the most meaningful because they give your days a little structure while leaving plenty of room for flexibility.

You know your baby better than you think

By month four, you might catch yourself doing things without even realizing it. You know which cry means they're tired and which one means they're hungry. You can usually tell when they're ready for a nap—or when they just want to be held for a while.

It doesn't happen overnight, but after months of spending so much time together, you've gotten to know your baby. And that's worth remembering on the days when you feel like you're still figuring it all out.

Whatever comes next…

Whether you're heading back to work, staying home with your baby or settling into a new routine, the end of leave can bring a whole new set of questions. The good news is you don't have to figure it all out at once. 

We've got plenty of guides to help you navigate whatever comes next:

• 31 Back-to-Work Essentials for New Parents

• How to Pump at Work: Babylist’s Ultimate Guide

• The Best Gear for Pumping at Work

• Best Websites to Find Childcare Online

• Everything You Need to Know About Choosing a Daycare Center

• How to Hire a Nanny

• 6 Daycare Drop-Off Tips That Actually Work, From Parents Who've Been There

• Your Baby Week by Week: a helpful series on baby’s development throughout their first year.

"You are your child's sun and moon whether you have brushed your hair or not," one Babylist parent shared—and we think this is worthy of writing down and sticking on your bathroom mirror or fridge. It's a gentle reminder, and also an important one. There isn't a perfect way to spend maternity leave. If you spent yours healing, feeding, watching way too much TV, eating snacks at odd hours and getting to know your baby, we'd say that's time well spent.