If you are expecting a baby, you may be wondering how baby’s arrival will affect your ability to do the work of your home – based business. Each baby is different, and there are other factors to consider such as other children in the home, the health of your baby, and other things which will affect whether and when you can return to work. The good news is that newborn babies and home – based work are not entirely incompatible.
During the first week or two with your new baby, you will be learning a lot about your new little bundle of joy. Baby will give you your first lessons about who he or she is, what his current schedule is, and what she likes and does not like. At some times you will be elated, and at others you will frustrated. It is not likely that any work will get done during this time and that is okay.
Once you and your baby have gotten acquainted, you will find that you are beginning to crave a return to a somewhat normal existence. Of course, “normal” now means doing whatever it is that you want to be doing with your days while simultaneously taking care of your baby. You may have a desire to see if you can get some work done. The easiest time to do it, of course, is when baby is sleeping. There are other possibilities, though. Babies are fairly easy to work with. Their biggest needs are for love, food, sleep, and clean clothing and diapers. Depending upon what you do for work, you can meet some of these needs while you are working, especially if your work involves sitting at a desk or working on a computer. For example, babies love to be close to you. If you place a nursing pillow on your lap, baby can lounge there and nap or make cute faces at you while you work. My littlest guy Blake is napping contentedly on my lap right now. Also, babies do sleep a lot. You can make phone calls and do other things while wearing your baby in a sling or carrier. Whatever your home – based work is, as you get to know your baby you will figure out the best ways to get work and other things done while caring for him or her. It may not seem like you will figure those things out, especially during the first few weeks, but have faith that it will happen.