No matter how prepared you think you are for your return to work postbaby, the first few weeks (and even months) back can pack quite an emotional and physical wallop. Our tried-and-true survival guide—with tips from moms who've been there, done that—will help you navigate this challenging transition.

Take baby steps. After weeks of sweatpants, stroller pushing and nursing, jumping back into the world of work clothes, commuting and conference calls can be jarring. Find out if a more gradual transition is feasible, such as slowly increasing the number of days at the office or working part-time for a few months. Try doing a little work from home during your leave—answer emails, conduct online research—which may help you feel more on top of things once you're back, says Kathleen Huggins, RN, coauthor of Nursing Mother, Working Mother. And drop by your workplace once or twice after your baby is born, either with pictures or your little one herself in tow, so you can catch up on company news and allow your colleagues to meet the new addition to your life.

Seek nursing support. If you're breastfeeding, you'll need to pump two or three times every workday to maintain a steady supply of milk for your baby. If you don't have a private office, ask your supervisor if you can use an empty room with a door that locks. Also consider talking to HR about establishing a lactation room for all the new moms in the office. "You shouldn't feel ashamed of providing a meal for your baby," says Andrea Serrette, a former IBM employee and coauthor of The Milk Memos. It's perfectly reasonable to take pumping breaks at work; in 12 states, there are specific laws related to breastfeeding in the workplace. (For more information, contact La Leche League, a breastfeeding advocacy group, at www.lalecheleague.org.) Remember that milk flow is more abundant early in the morning, so try pumping at home after the first nursing of the day. That way, you'll have a few extra ounces to give to your caregiver or to store in the fridge for the next day.To help your baby get used to the bottle, Huggins says, start alternating between breast- and bottle-feeding when she's three or four weeks old. Also, let other family members pull bottle duty occasionally, so your baby gets used to being fed by someone other than you.

Fight fatigue. By the end of your maternity leave, your baby may still not be sleeping through the night, leaving you exhausted. Try dividing your workload into manageable chunks and tackling the toughest tasks in the morning, or whenever you feel most alert, says Serrette.Breastfed babies sometimes react to their mothers' work schedules by sleeping more during the day and waking often for night feedings. If yours does this, try getting your caregiver to offer feedings every two to three hours during the day. If she still demands frequent night feedings, try nursing her in bed (consider a co-sleeper). And keep in mind that this phase won't last forever. Eventually, your baby will outgrow her night-owl ways.If home responsibilities are adding to your fatigue, ask for help. "When I went back to work, my husband and I divided up the responsibilities. Now he gets our two girls ready in the morning, and I take over the nighttime routine," says Tracy Fives, director of marketing development for Everglades Direct, a Florida-based direct-marketing company. For extra support, swap babysitting services with a friend. On weekends, try to rest instead of packing in errands.

Give up work guilt. A baby changes everything, including your work schedule. But you can be a good employee without regularly putting in tons of overtime. "I feel I should be the kind of manager who works late, but I can't," says Emily Allen, who heads the online publishing group at Smithsonian magazine in New York City. "Before I had kids, I didn't rush home at the end of the day. Now I work efficiently right through to 5:30 p.m. I also use my BlackBerry to answer emails during my commute, so technically I'm working close to another hour." Remind yourself that motherhood is honing your time-management skills.

Let yourself miss your baby. Some moms ease their anxiety by surrounding themselves with photos of their baby, checking in with their caregiver a few times a day, even talking to their infant over the phone. Others may feel upset rather than comforted by such reminders, so they immerse themselves in work. Whichever camp you fall into, remind yourself why you came back to your job—whether for personal fulfillment or more family income—and give yourself time to adjust. "Let your feelings ebb and flow," Serrette says. After the first few weeks, the worst of the sadness should pass and your comfort level rise.

Join the club. There are millions of working mothers out there, and most have struggled through some tough weeks back after returning from maternity leave. Just talking with other moms at your workplace or online can make you feel less alone. To connect with other new mothers at IBM, Serrette put a journal in one of the firm's lactation rooms so users could share their stories and advice. Consider setting up one in your own office, or join the authors' forum at www.milkmemos.com. You may even want to start your own online diary by strating a blog. (How to become a workmom blogger). And it's not just for you—you never know who's out there in need of your help.