First-time mom going back to work — looking for support and advice

Hi moms, I’m a first-time mom and I’m going back to work in just a few days after being on maternity leave for a year. The past few weeks have been incredibly hard and emotionally draining. I’ve been feeling so low and keep questioning whether returning to work is the right thing for my child. We’ve started daycare recently and my one-year-old is still struggling to adjust. Some days are okay, but on other days, he refuses to eat, won’t take his bottle, or struggles to sleep. It breaks my heart to see him like that, and it just adds to my guilt and anxiety. What makes it harder is that my partner hasn’t been very understanding. When I try to talk about how I’m feeling, he either brushes it off or changes the subject, and it feels like he doesn’t see it as a real issue. I’ve tried talking to my family, but we’re immigrants and they live far away — they can’t be here to help or support me physically. There have been many nights where I’ve cried myself to sleep, feeling alone and overwhelmed. I’m just praying and hoping that things will get better, for both me and my baby. I would really appreciate hearing from other moms — any advice, words of comfort, or just knowing I’m not alone in this would mean the world to me. Thank you for reading.

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I went back to work 12 weeks pp. The first few weeks were an adjustment for both baby and I, but eventually everything settled and we had our new routine down. Changes in routine can be hard for anyone, but especially kids who aren't quite old enough to understand it yet. However, change is a part of life and they'll settle into it in their own time!

How recently did he start daycare? Did he get socialization in a similar setting with other kids during his first year? I ask these because it takes time for kids to adjust. I used to work daycare, and sometimes, unfortunately, it takes weeks for kids to adjust. It's a new routine for him, it will take time but I understand how heartbreaking it can be. Especially if daycare started suddenly or if he's got some separation anxiety from you, it can take longer. He's very used to being home with you, so this is a big change.