20+ Fun Things to Do While on Maternity Leave

For a new mother looking after a newborn, the first few weeks at home will be accompanied by a flood of emotions, a gamut of queries, and unconditional love for your baby. These initial days are plagued with lots of fun, learning, and anxiety as you find you’re bearing to being the best mother.

If you are a working woman, your maternity leave is one precious sabbatical and paid holiday. You want to make the best of your limited time with your little one in your hands. There are plenty of maternity leave activities that one can do to make the most of every minute. Below are a few things to do on maternity leave, and make optimum use of them so you will not regret it when you return to work!

Amazing Things to Do on Maternity Leave Before Your Baby Arrives

Maternity leave could be the time when you bond with the baby and sort your home life to make sure that your transition back to work is smoother and easier. However, it need not be restricted to just the main elements like fixing your nursery, visiting the paediatrician, immunisations, or making childcare arrangements when you return to work. Apart from the essential things to do during maternity leave, there are some other amazing things one can do to make the best of maternity leave.

1. Take Rest

Make sure to rest and get enough sleep whenever you can. Rest and sound sleep will help boost your health and your baby’s. Sleep will be less sound as days go by, and you need to make up for that. Try to get an afternoon nap after lunch.

2. Educate Yourself

There is a lot to catch up on. One of the best things to do on maternity leave is to educate yourself about everything. Invest in a course, watch videos about aspects of your job, parenting, or anything you like to enhance your knowledge. Read loads of books on parenting as that is one skill to learn about continuously.

3. Pray and Meditate

A powerful tool, meditation and prayer could make a world of difference to your life post-delivery. It will help relieve the stress of handling a newborn and help cope with the additional responsibility.

4. Maintain Routine

While it is crucial to catch up on your sleep, it is equally important to maintain a routine. You could squeeze your reading, sorting out finances, cleaning, and other chores within the usual work hours. It is more important to stick to the 9 am – 5 pm routine (just like when you would be working). This will bring stability and a sense of achievement and satisfaction. It will help you stay physically and mentally active.

5. Walking and Deep Breathing

Walking and deep breathing are something you could start even before your baby is born. Indulge in walking for at least half an hour daily to keep your vitals in check and your baby’s growth. Deep breathing for about 15 minutes would help provide oxygen to your baby. It is a practice that you can continue post-delivery, too. It will serve as an exercise and de-stressor.

6. Pursue a Hobby

If you have been nurturing a desire to pursue a hobby for a long time and have been unable to do it because of a busy work schedule, this is the time to start. Whether reading, writing, taking Zumba lessons, cooking, or cycling, earmark a particular time to continue with it.

7. Check on Finances

With the arrival of a new baby, your finances will undoubtedly dip. Whether buying clothes for your newborn, decorating the nursery, or purchasing daily essentials (nappies or shampoo), your finances quickly deplete. It is an excellent time to check your income and expenses and try totalling your balance sheet.

8. Speak to Insurance Companies

It is not a fun activity, but it is an essential task. You may need to speak to your insurance company about including your child in your policies. There is plenty of paperwork that needs to be completed.

9. Arrange for Daycare

Without a doubt, if you intend to return to work, you would need to sort out child care. Start doing your homework about the options available and how much it will cost. This would help you prepare your finances when you return to work.

10. Prepare for Return to Work

If you have decided on a date to return to work, start getting into a strict routine closer to the date. Reduce your hours of sleep, prepare your child for a different routine and start making arrangements to balance your work and personal life.

11. Spend Time With Friends

Maternity leave is the best time to spend with your friends. Having a baby does not mean giving up your social life. Reach out to your friends and meet them for a night or coffee.

12. Sort Your Essentials List

Your new addition to your family will drastically change your shopping list. It is an excellent time to add and delete things from your staple shopping list. You would need to account for the stock of nappies, baby food, and toilet essentials you would need every week. Make a list that will serve as a ready reckoner each time you shop.

Exciting Things to Do on Maternity Leave After the Baby Arrives

Maternity leave is not an easy time. With the anxiety of the baby’s arrival, maternity leave could be a time that would never seem enough. What to do after maternity leave? What should one do during maternity leave once the baby arrives? There are some exciting and productive things to do once the baby arrives:

1. Make Mommy Friends and Groups

Becoming a mother could be an overwhelming time. Postpartum depression sets in, and the stress of brand-new parenthood could make it an isolating experience. If you happen to step out and bump into debutant mothers or mothers with newborns, strike a friendship with them. Try to create a group of mothers with newborns so that you can plan outings, meetings, visits to playgroups, and create a friend circle for your child, too.

2. Arrange for a Professional Photoshoot

Babies grow so fast that it all disappears in a quick flash. You might want to capture the growth phases of your baby on camera. You could get a professional photographer to capture your baby every month and click some nice family pictures to decorate your wall.

3. Take Your Baby Swimming

Your baby is never too young to swim. Sign up for baby swimming lessons. It would be an excellent exercise for you, and your baby will take to it like a moth to a flame. Swimming lessons are also a great way to meet other mums.

4. Keep Updating Your Baby Journal

As you grow old, you will find it hard to remember the milestones your baby achieved. The first time they held hands, the first time they walked, the first time they waved, and so much more. Milestones like rolling over, babbling, and cooing sometimes do not pop up when you are trying hard to remember. Be on top of recording the journal so you have something to look back on and smile at when your baby is all grown up. It could be a wonderful gift, too.

5. Plan a Romantic Date With Your Partner

Taking care of your relationship is as important as looking after your newborn. Between changing diapers and sleepless nights, you might miss out on the romance and affection you once shared as partners or husband and wife. Rekindle the lost magic by getting someone to babysit for a few hours and enjoying your time as a couple.

6. Music Lessons

Music has a profound impact on babies. From the time you start singing those lullabies to sleep to tuning them to nursery rhymes, music can be very engaging for babies. Sign up for tiny tot music lessons and get your baby to groove to fun tunes.

7. Travel

Do not stick to the stigma of the “no travel with babies” rule. The sooner you expose your baby to the outside world, the faster they adapt. Plan a two-day break for a getaway and enjoy some fun moments with your partner and baby.

8. Binge-Watch Movies and Favourite TV Shows

With OTT platforms streaming different movies and shows, you can sit back and binge-watch the genre you love. You could even catch up on your favourite films you have not watched for a long time.

9. Pamper Yourself and Give Yourself a Makeover

Get your partner to babysit and carve some me time for yourself. Book a day at the spa or an appointment with a beauty salon to get your nails done or a haircut. It is incredible how you can feel confident and fabulous when you treat yourself to look good.

10. Prepare Meals

This is an excellent time to try out new recipes ideal for the baby and family. Once you return to work, you might have to conjure up delectable meals that do not take long to prepare. You would not want to spend all your time in the kitchen after returning from work. Search for recipes that are nutritious, healthy, and easy to prepare.

11. Build a Time Capsule

From storing first clothes and toys to accessories, you can build a time capsule that has things that will rekindle your memories. A memory for life, it will be fun and heartwarming when you visit it after long.

FAQs

1. How can I balance rest and productivity during maternity leave?

Balance rest and productivity by setting realistic goals, taking short naps when your baby sleeps, and prioritising essential tasks. It’s important to listen to your body and avoid overexertion.

2. What are some ways to document my baby’s early months?

Document your baby’s early months by creating a journal, taking monthly photos, or making a memory box with keepsakes like hospital bracelets and first outfits. These can be cherished memories in the future.

3. How can I prepare for returning to work after maternity leave?

Prepare for your return to work by gradually adjusting your baby’s routine, arranging childcare, and catching up on work-related updates. It’s also helpful to communicate with your employer about your return plan.

From fitness and food to frolicking with new mum friends, there is a lot you can do on your maternity leave. There are things you can do before having a baby when you have just started your leave, like planning your nursery, shopping for baby clothes, or packing your hospital bag. Then there are things you can do after the baby arrives– socialising with new mums, signing up for lessons, pursuing a hobby, and simply settling into a routine to get back to work.

The possibilities are endless. Remember, what to do on maternity leave is all about embracing the journey and making it uniquely yours. You need to find your feet before you deliver, and after, you are set to go. There is no bespoke or one-size-fits-all maternity leave itinerary. Feel free to explore what you think suits you best and try to maximise your time off from work. Ensure you have enough before personal and professional lives hit you like a ton of bricks!

Also Read:

Maternity Insurance Policy
Buying Maternity Clothes
How to Apply for Maternity Leave