Quick answer: Returning to work after maternity leave often brings guilt, worry and tiredness at the same time, and that is common. It helps to plan a gentle first few weeks, share night duties, talk openly with your manager and know your rights: up to 26 weeks of maternity benefit, nursing breaks and a creche in larger workplaces. If low mood lasts, speak to a professional.
Why does going back to work feel so hard?
For months your days have been shaped by your baby. Now you are switching back to meetings, deadlines and commutes, while your body is still recovering and your sleep is broken. It feels like a big change because it is one.
Many mothers feel pulled in two directions. You may miss your baby badly and also enjoy adult conversation again. Both feelings can be true on the same day. Neither makes you a bad mother or a poor employee.
How do you deal with mum guilt after returning to work?
Guilt often comes from a picture of the “perfect” mother who is always present. No real parent matches that picture. A more useful question is: is my child safe, loved and cared for? If yes, your child is doing well even when you are not in the room.
- Keep small rituals. A song at drop-off, a fixed cuddle time in the evening. Consistency matters more than hours.
- Do a trial run. Leave your baby with the caregiver for a few short stretches before your first day.
- Say it out loud. Guilt grows in silence. Tell your partner or family what is hard and what help you need.
- Lower the bar at home. Simple meals and an untidy room are fine for now.
How can you cope with broken sleep at work?
You cannot fully fix night feeds, but you can share them. A partner or family member can take over burping, nappy changes and settling so you get back to sleep sooner, and you can take turns to sleep in on weekends. At work, keep your hardest tasks for the hours you feel most alert, write things down so your memory does less work, and take your breaks.
What rights do you have when returning to work after maternity leave?
Knowing your rights will not remove the emotional strain, but it can ease some worry. The Maternity Benefit Act, 1961 was amended by the Maternity Benefit (Amendment) Act, 2017, which came into force on 1 April 2017. Key points:
| What the law provides | Details |
|---|---|
| Maternity benefit | Up to 26 weeks, of which not more than 8 weeks before the expected delivery |
| Two or more surviving children | Up to 12 weeks, of which not more than 6 weeks before the expected delivery |
| Nursing breaks | Two breaks of the prescribed duration in the course of your daily work, until the child is 15 months old |
| Creche | Required in every establishment with 50 or more employees; you are allowed 4 visits a day, including your rest interval |
| Work from home | If your work allows it, the employer may let you work from home after your maternity benefit, on mutually agreed conditions |
| Protection from dismissal | An employer cannot lawfully discharge or dismiss you during or on account of your absence under the Act |
Work from home is something your employer “may” allow by agreement; it is not automatic. For how the law applies to your own job, check with HR or a legal professional.
How do you talk to your manager before you return?
A short, planned conversation a week or two before you return can make the first days easier. Cover your first priorities, your timings for nursing breaks or creche visits, a private place to feed or express milk, whether some agreed work from home days would suit your role, and a check-in after the first month. You are not asking for favours; you are planning how to do your job well during a demanding phase.
Is it just stress, or could it be postnatal depression?
The NHS says the “baby blues”, feeling weepy or anxious after birth, usually pass within 2 weeks of the birth. Postnatal depression is different: its symptoms can begin during pregnancy, soon after birth, or up to a year after your baby is born, so it can show up around the time you go back to work.
The WHO says about 13% of women who have just given birth experience a mental disorder, mainly depression, and 19.8% in developing countries. You are far from alone. Signs the NHS lists include:
- low mood and finding it hard to enjoy anything
- feeling hopeless, or that you cannot cope
- feeling guilty or worthless, or that you are a bad parent
- difficulty sleeping, even when you get time to rest
- difficulty concentrating or bonding with your baby
If these last, speak to your doctor or a mental health professional. If you have thoughts of harming yourself or your baby, get help now: call 112 (India’s emergency number) or go to the nearest hospital emergency department.
When does counselling help?
Counselling can help when the return feels heavier than you expected, when guilt or worry keeps you awake, or when arguments at home about childcare keep repeating. A counsellor offers a calm space to sort through feelings, set realistic expectations and plan practical steps. You do not need to wait for things to get very bad.
Frequently asked questions
Under the Maternity Benefit Act, 1961 as amended in 2017, you can get maternity benefit for up to 26 weeks, of which not more than 8 weeks before the expected delivery. With two or more surviving children, the limit is 12 weeks.
The amended Act says every establishment with 50 or more employees must have a creche facility within a prescribed distance. The employer must allow you 4 visits a day to the creche, and this includes your rest interval.
Not automatically. If the nature of your work allows it, your employer may let you work from home after your maternity benefit, on conditions you both mutually agree. Going in with a clear, practical proposal usually helps.
Yes. Many mothers feel guilt, sadness or worry when they return, and these feelings often ease as a routine settles. If guilt turns into constant hopelessness or feeling worthless, it is worth speaking to a professional.
The NHS says baby blues usually pass within 2 weeks of birth, while postnatal depression can start up to a year after. Ongoing low mood, losing interest in things and feeling unable to cope are signs to talk to a doctor or counsellor.
Yes. At Manas, sessions are available in person in Bhopal or online by video across India, and each session lasts 60 minutes. Online sessions can be easier to fit around feeds, naps and work hours.
Talk to someone about your return to work
If going back to work after your baby feels overwhelming, you do not have to handle it alone. You can book a counselling session in person in Bhopal or online from anywhere in India. If the strain is showing up at home, the family counselling page explains how sessions can include the people who share your childcare. You can also read more guides on the Manas blog.
Sources
- Ministry of Labour and Employment: The Maternity Benefit (Amendment) Act, 2017
- India Code: The Maternity Benefit Act, 1961
- NHS: Symptoms of postnatal depression
- WHO: Maternal mental health
Plain-language guides on mental wellbeing, based on published research. Counselling at Manas Center is led by Dr. Priya Dubey Sharma, Founder & Consulting Psychologist.
