Sleep. What's that?

Radio host and mom to 11-month-old George, Bailey Schneider, is tired. So very tired.

I was fraught with emotion going back to work after maternity leave. There is the excitement of getting back into a world of adults – one where you aren’t all-consumed by the colour and consistency of poo – and then there is Mom Guilt in bucket loads.

I went back to work when my baby boy was only 10 weeks old, and knowing what I know now, it was too soon. However, since I didn’t know any different or any better, it set me up to get into a flexible routine, because I’ve learned Motherhood definitely needs flexibility, and made me get on with it.

On top of going back to a busy work schedule, I was also expressing every 3 hours. I didn’t make enough milk to store any away, and produced just enough for the next feed.

My baby doesn’t sleep through the night, and is up once or twice a night and then wide awake and full of energy from 6 am. I think my body is just used to being tired and for that I am grateful for coffee.

I couldn’t be a new mom and have my career without support, and since we don’t have a nanny, my husband and I co-parent our baby around our work schedules.

I still don’t have it all figured out, and I’ve realised I never will. It’s the beauty of motherhood – constantly learning and up-skilling.

Here are some tips that work for me and hopefully will work for you, too:

1. Support is everything. It really does take a village to raise a child, so be open when people you trust offer their support. Take them up on it.

2. Prioritize your time. Before I had my baby, I didn’t realise how much time I wasted. I can’t believe how much I can get done in a day, but I now prioritize what needs to be done. Time wasted means less time with my son.

3. Learn to say “No.” It’s an extension of prioritizing. It’s placing boundaries – you’ll be surprised how people actually do respect you for it.

4. Coffee is going to help you after those late nights. Learn to make your own brew at home, so you’re not buying coffee every single day. Nappies are costly.

5. Don’t try to be Superwoman. We can’t be everywhere and we can’t do it all at the same time. I felt guilty for not making organic, sugar-free teething biscuits, creating arts and crafts (found on Pinterest) and trying new weaning recipes whilst taking my baby to the Aquarium, being a good wife, friend and still being on top of my career. Choose three to five things you want to complete in a day and aim for those. To-do lists that have 15-25 items on them are overwhelming and unrealistic. Besides, when you can’t get through everything on your list, it only makes you feel worse.

6. Get over trying being perfect and stop comparing. I found myself forgetting that social media is purely a highlights reel, so when I saw Pinterest-worthy interiors, gourmet meals prepared for baby, and moms with perfectly blow-waved hair, it made me feel inadequate. I realised I was comparing myself to women who weren’t in the same situation as I was and decided to stop. I am the perfect mom for my son, and he’s the perfect son for me. I’m doing the best I can and it’s enough. Being kind to yourself is vital.

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The views, thoughts and opinions expressed in this article/post are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Woolworths or any of its affiliates, directors, officers, employees and/or advisers.