Mom Returns From 3-Month Maternity Leave With Baby in Tow, and Her Coworkers Love It

Illustration - YAKOBCHUK VIACHESLAV/Shutterstock

From the archives: This story was last updated in February 2019.

Can we have it all? Well, when it comes to careers and babies, it seems the world of work might be finally catching up.

At least one chiropractic business in Tennessee is causing a stir with a recent post on social media.

New mom Melody Jett Blackwell was enjoying a moment of peace with her baby at her office desk, leaning back and cradling the newborn in her arms as she expertly multitasked, when her boss, Dr. Elizabeth Baker, snapped a picture of the adorable image.

Melody returned to her job in a work-from-home capacity after her maternity leave but had recently started coming back into the office. She was pleased about having baby Nora-Jo with her all day, rather than having to break the bank with daycare costs, but was unsure about her team’s attitude towards the newest, tiniest member of the office.

Dr. Baker took a picture of mom and baby in a brief moment of relaxation. It was a cute picture, but Melody was ambivalent: would the photo imply that working moms don’t work hard enough?

Melody’s employers at the chiropractic office had given her a generous maternity package but needed her back in the office. “We were able to give her 3 full months of paid leave (well above the national average), but as a small business with only 3 employees we needed her back!” Dr. Baker posted.

The office team even kindly made some changes to the software and phone systems they used in order to accommodate new mom Melody’s needs.

Since Melody is still breastfeeding, she also takes as many breaks as she needs.

The cute photo was uploaded onto the Maryland Farms Chiropractic Facebook page and immediately garnered a positive reception.

“Workin' mamas. She makes it look easy!” Dr. Baker wrote. “We need more small and large businesses to see this is doable and should be allowed more often! The newborn months are so short. #WorkinMamas!”

Melody’s initial misgivings turned out to be completely unfounded as the comments flooded in in support of both the practice and of Melody’s impressive multitasking.

“More places can be more flexible than they are currently,” read one comment on Facebook.

“Many families find it almost makes more financial sense for one parent to stay home, rather than go to work just to have most or all of their checks pay for daycare,” read another, highlighting a common plight amongst working parents everywhere.

One social media user who praised the boss for her efforts said: “You are just amazing with how you are so supportive as a boss! I now work for the CBP chiropractor I found here in FL after moving. You were an awesome inspiration!!!”

Single moms, even moms with salary-earning partners, often have to return to work after giving birth. Melody hopes that the photo of her with baby Nora-Jo at work will continue to help other employers, perhaps less progressive than her own, see the bigger picture!

Melody, who empathizes with all the new moms out there, said, “I know it’s hard to drop them off at daycare when they’re just 2 or 3 months old.”

“Moms can bring their children to work and be productive,” she insisted. There’s nothing like this photo to provide the very best evidence of that!

Caring for a baby in the workplace is certainly not beyond the realms of possibility. Sure, a team of supportive workmates is paramount. But the more photos like this one circulate the internet, the more we’ll normalize the sight of workin’ mamas in the workplace.

“It makes a huge difference financially because daycare is really expensive,” Melody told NBC affiliate WPTV. “It’s nice to be able to take out that cost and take home more of my check.”

It’s great for business, too. One person responded to the Maryland Farms Chiropractic post by saying: “I wish you all were close! Defending your employees and your understanding makes me want to do business there! I absolutely love this!”

Amazing job, everyone. Life as a new mom doesn’t have to be so hard. A supportive, sympathetic employer changes everything.

Do you support workin' mamas? Like, share, and comment on this uplifting story of support for new moms!