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Moms going back to work while nursing describe real exhaustion - dizzy spells, near-fainting, racing heart, and working a 'second shift' after the baby sleeps. The shared advice: don't push through worrying symptoms, get them checked, ask HR/your team for flexible or phased arrangements, protect sleep and nutrition, and don't carry the baby on long commutes when you feel faint.
⚠️ Caution:Fainting, repeated dizzy spells, chest symptoms, or a persistently racing heart after delivery are not 'just tiredness' - see a doctor promptly to rule out anemia, blood-pressure issues, or other postpartum conditions, especially before resuming a long commute while caring for a baby.
Moms feel there's little consideration for them once maternity leave ends - they're expected to commute, work full days, and nurse through the night while physically depleted, and they're frightened of collapsing while holding their baby. The shared message is that these symptoms deserve medical attention and workplace flexibility, not silent endurance, and that asking for help is reasonable, not weakness.
Here's what moms in our community shared based on their own experience.
You're not alone - I blacked out once and now get anxious about falling while carrying my baby. Working from home while nursing, I'd keep extending work after he slept, which was exhausting on another level. Please get the dizziness and heart-rate spikes checked by a doctor rather than powering through, and don't carry the baby on a long commute when you feel faint.
I finish office work from 9pm to 2am after she sleeps because that's the only quiet time - it's basically two shifts and it wears you down. What helped me was being honest with HR and my team about needing flexibility; many are more understanding than we expect. Phasing the return (flexible hours or some WFH) before a full commute makes a big difference.
Physically I became very weak with random dizzy spells despite supplements. Getting bloodwork done (iron and other levels), eating and hydrating properly, and protecting whatever sleep you can are basics that get missed when you're stretched. If the commute is long, see whether a phased return or interim arrangement is possible while you recover your strength.
The information shared on this page comes from real experiences of mothers in our community. While we strive to provide helpful insights, this content is for informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult with your pediatrician, healthcare provider, or other qualified medical professional for any questions regarding your child's health or development.
Last reviewed: June 23, 2026
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