How to prepare your baby – and yourself – for mom being away

Saying “bye bye baby” for the first time?

Page last updated on: 3/07/25

Whether for work, daycare or yourself, you may start spending the day away from your baby soon. Being away from your little one can come with logistical and emotional challenges. We can help with tips on how to plan ahead to prepare yourself and your infant for this transition.

In this article:

Resources for your support

With your Priority Health Medicaid plan, you have a variety of resources available to help support you during this time. Get help being away from home, and with feeding your baby.

Maternal Infant Health Program (MIHP) 

MIHP is a free, at-home service available to support you, baby and family. When you enroll, you’ll connect with a nurse and social worker who will visit you at home to provide emotional and physical support with breastfeeding or formula feeding and check in on how you’re doing.

Learn more

WIC peer counselors, lactation specialists, classes and parent groups provide education and support to new moms and families. WIC is a nutrition program for you and baby to receive healthy foods, formula and education. It can also help with using a breast pump and the transition to returning to work.

Learn more

Did you know? You can call the WIC hotline for peer counselor breastfeeding support, even if you’re not a WIC client.

Call or text today!

(833) MIWICBF

(833) 649-4223

Doula services

Your Medicaid plan also gets you access to a doula, a worker trained to provide non-clinical specialized support during and after pregnancy including emotional, physical, and informational support to you and your family. 

How can I find a Doula? Call Priority Health customer service at 888-975-8102 to discuss finding a doula near you.

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Teladoc Health Mental Health

Your plan gives you free access to extra wellness support with online courses and activities. Use the platform for guidance and education on a variety of topics for parents including: breastfeeding tips, transitioning back work, helping baby sleep, supporting mental health and more.

Sign up

Feeding tips

Transitioning back to work and breastfeeding

If you’re breastfeeding and plan to continue, here are some helpful tips for planning to be away from baby. If you haven’t ordered one already, make sure you order your free breast pump now through a DME provider.

  • Practice pumping. Get comfortable using your pump at home so you’re prepared when you need it at work. This also gives your baby time to get used to drinking breastmilk from a bottle.
  • Let your employer know your plan to pump, so they can support you at work.
  • Talk to co-workers with children. They can be a great resource for advice specific to your workplace.
  • Ask if there are dedicated lactation rooms and storage solutions for your milk at work, or what to use if there aren’t.
  • During work hours, try to keep to a consistent pumping schedule, every two to three hours for 15 minutes. Setting a timer if you're able to can be a big help. Without planned breaks or reminders, it can be easy to miss a session, which can be painful.

Pro tip: When you’re pumping at work, use the insulated cooler bag we sent to help store your milk and bring it home safely.

Introducing formula into baby’s diet

You may also decide to switch to formula once you return to work.

  • Start to wean your baby from breastmilk gradually, replacing one breastmilk feeding with formula at first, then work up to more1.
  • As you reduce breastfeeding, you’ll produce less milk, and your baby will get more comfortable with bottle feeding.
  • Sometimes the decision to wean is bittersweet. If you’re having strong emotions about stopping, read a book or cuddle with your child to continue bonding in a new way.

Changes for formula fed babies

Even if you’ve been formula feeding from the start, your baby might struggle with feeding time changes.

  • If you’re transitioning back to work, or out of the house more often, try to match your feeding schedule to the new caregivers’ while you’re still at home.
  • Help baby get used to the new routine by having someone new give them a bottle to ease the transition from mom.

Support for a hard transition period

Feedings aren’t the only challenges moms can face when separating from their infants. Take baby steps to emotionally prepare for a full day away.

  • Start by taking small trips without your child, then increase the length so that your first full day at work isn’t the first time you’ve been missing.
  • Use those trips to indulge in some self-care. Remember, taking care of yourself helps you better take care of your child.
  • Ask for caregiver updates while you’re away if possible.
  • Have pictures of your child ready so you can give yourself a boost when you get the baby blues.

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