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How can I go back to work after having a baby?

We all know the hardships of looking for a job. Going back to work after a baby is no different – you’re currently working a full-time job and trying to find the time to look for another, let alone applying and finding the time to interview. For those of us who have been privileged enough to take maternity leave, like myself, the prospect of going back to work can be both exciting and daunting.

How can I go back to work after having a baby?

Sadly, there is still a stigma around mums returning to the workplace. I was reminded of this after having a conversation with my partner about when and how I would return to work after being made redundant just before giving birth (yes, that’s legal). He affectionately said “Don’t worry, it will be easy”, but deep down I knew otherwise.

Questions dart around my head on a daily basis, such as:

  • Have I forgotten how to interview/work after extended maternity?
  • Will future employers worry I’m going to leave to have more children?
  • That I won’t be as dedicated to my job?

Of course, the answer to all of these on my part, and hopefully my future employers, is no.

As wonderful as my maternity leave has been, I still can’t help but feel anxious about the time I’ve had away from work — the pause I willingly placed on my career.

Read more of my pregnancy and parenthood related posts.

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Hair & Skincare for New Mums

Hair & Skincare for New Mums

If you’d told me a year ago that I would need a new beauty routine once I’d given birth, I’d have laughed in your face and assumed it was a marketing gimmick. Clearly I was shocked when I found that my skin and hair had indeed changed once again (check out my pregnancy skincare tips here). As a new mum I really didn’t need another thing to worry about, but it happened nevertheless – spots, dry skin, reactions I’ve never had before, treatments not lasting as long as they did before pregnancy… the list goes on.

Skincare for New Mums

  • You might find that your skin is more sensitive since giving birth and it can be useful to add products specifically for sensitive skin to your routine – I switched my daily microfoliant to a daily milkfoliant instead.
  • For those that are breastfeeding, you will still need to avoid certain ingredients such as retinol, salicylic acid and hydroquinone.
  • Nipple balm is a must – I’ve tried a few and found the Lansinoh nipple cream to be the best, especially since you don’t need to remove it before breastfeeding.
  • If you find your skin is drier than usual, I swear by Palmer’s cocoa butter lotion for the body, and Drunk Elephant miracle butter for the face.

Haircare for New Mums

With all the changes happening in your body, you may have noticed your hair looking thicker and shinier during pregnancy. This is because of the hormone changes taking place, leading to less hair shedding. Unfortunately this doesn’t continue after birth; in fact you’ll probably notice you lose more hair than you did before pregnancy and it’s not as thick as it was. Thankfully this hair lose is only temporary and there are things you can do to help.

  • Use a volumising shampoo and conditioner/one made for fine hair.
  • Rosemary oil is a great ingredient – look for products that use it rather than applying the oil directly. I use the Aromatics Rosemary Root Enhancer.
  • Avoid over brushing your hair – contrary to some old wives tales, brushing your hair does not promote growth, it actually pulls at the hair.
  • Consider getting a new hair style that makes your hair appear fuller/thicker – I went for the pixie cut I’d always dreamed about. Plus shorter hair is a lot less hassle when you don’t even have time for a shower.
  • Eat a balanced diet and take post-pregnancy supplements. I’m currently taking Vitabiotics Pregnacare.

Check out more of my beauty and pregnancy articles.
Words and pictures are my own.

  • a selection of skincare for new mums, including nipple cream and body lotion, stands on a bathroom windowsill
  • a selection of skincare for new mums, including nipple cream and body lotion, stands on a bathroom windowsill
bloomzy /

Pregnancy Skincare Routine Tips & Recommendations

  • pregnancy skincare routine tips
  • pregnancy skincare routine tips

Pregnancy Skincare Routine Tips & Recommendations

Did you know you need to change your skincare routine if you’re pregnant?

This was something I found out recently during my first trimester. Thankfully I was too tired or ill during this time to actually carry on with my regular skincare regime, as it turned out it was full of pregnancy skincare routine no-no.

Pregnancy Skincare Routine Tips

You may have heard of “the pregnancy glow”. Well, I’m here to tell you that this is a myth. During pregnancy, you’re skin changes, a lot. You may find that certain products and procedures don’t work like they used to, you have greasier, spottier skin, or dark spots popping up out of nowhere.

That doesn’t mean you can’t help combat it with a skincare routine though. Here are my top tips for your pregnancy skincare routine:

  • Stop using retinoids & salicylic acid – this is because they are absorbed into the skin and could reach the bloodstream and travel to the fetus
  • Moisturise, a lot – Dry skin and itchiness are common in pregnancy. Moisturising can help combat both of these
  • You can still exfoliate – Just because you can’t use certain ingredients doesn’t mean you can’t exfoliate – use products with glycolic acid or lactic acid instead. Exfoliating is also great for combatting those pesky pregnancy dark spots
  • Less is more – Try to keep your skincare routine simple during your pregnancy. You’ll probably find that your skin’s wants and needs change throughout these 9 months

Pregnancy Skincare Routine Recommendations

It can be tiring trying to figure out what to do with your skincare routine whilst you’re pregnant. And the last thing you need to do is buy a whole bunch of products you know nothing about.

Here are some of my recommendations for pregnancy-friendly sites and products:

Thanks for reading!

Check out more of my skincare saviours and tips here.