Get out of her face for a few days. Be nice, be gentle, READ THE ROOM and see how she is doing before you pounce.

Cookies and a nice note are always appreciated, left on her desk so she can read the note in private. DO NOT do anything public.

Going back to work is tough for any new mom, and as someone previously said, I was a zombie those first few weeks. I think flowers are nice. I think a basket of her favorite snacks or gift cards to some downtown lunch places could be awesome. One thing I did for myself when I was sad going back to work was to throw dieting (and frivolous spending) out the window. I treated myself to all my favorite breakfast and lunch spots as a reward for raising a human and getting to work looking like an adult. Maybe helping her enjoy being in the office in that way could be nice?

If it were me, snacks and a clean transition of workload would be great! Anything "funny" is a very dicey proposition for an already overwhelmed new mom and could go poorly.

I like the flower idea! A cow? Seriously?

I think humor is good, but could it be related to your workplace rather than to maternity leave or pumping? So, is there some kind of dreadful part of your jobs that you could make a joke about her having to return to? (My colleagues could have made jokes about me being nominated to certain dreadful committees while I was out.) Or is there a symbol of your job, and maybe you could give her a picture frame (for a pic of her baby) with that symbol? (Stethoscope, fire hat, mortar board?) If you work in a library, maybe you could make a library card for the baby--or whatever the equivalent is in your line of work?

I do agree with PPs that you have to walk a fine line here, but if there's a way to make it humorous about your work place and work culture, I think that could be appropriate.

Anonymous wrote:Is this at work? She returns as a respected professional. Do not do something silly that undermines her worth as a professional.

This. My male coworkers, whom I was close with, got me flowers and a nice note. It was perfect.

Otherwise, offer to go on walks with her, be an ear when she needs it, stand up to any crappy co-workers who complain about time spent pumping, etc.

Is this at work? She returns as a respected professional. Do not do something silly that undermines her worth as a professional.

The last thing I wanted when coming back from maternity leave was something with a cow on it. Holy crap, that would have been embarrassing.

Anonymous wrote:What? No. Geez, keep everything normal and professional.

This.

Whatever you do, don't plan it for her first day back. I was barely functional my first week as I was so swamped with work and pumping.

What? No. Geez, keep everything normal and professional.

is she pumping? Maybe something cow reference...like a basket of storage for her breastmilk

thats nice of you guys, I didnt get anything but out of order files

Nothing cheesy or specific. Just do lunch or whatever you used to do before she had kids. Remind her about the good/fun things of being a working adult.

Why is she having a very hard time?

Any funny ideas for a coworker/good friend coming back from maternity leave who is going to have a VERY hard time? We are all good friends--goal is to make her laugh, feel appreciated, and not cry (too hard).