56. Small Business Maternity Leave: How I Planned for Baby #4 Without Losing My Mind (Or My Clients)
- Brittany Miller
- May 7, 2024
- 11 min read
Updated: 5 hours ago
Planning for a baby is emotional, messy, and glorious — and planning for baby number four as a small business owner adds a whole new layer of logistics. If you're Googling "small business maternity leave" because you're trying to figure out how to keep your business afloat while welcoming a new human, you're in the right place. I’ve walked through this four times now (three prior babies and the lessons learned), and I want to share the honest, tactical playbook I wish I’d had before each one.
If we haven't met yet, I’m Brittany, an online marketing strategist for female entrepreneurs. I teach women how to make their entrepreneurial dreams a reality through smart, actionable marketing strategies that get them seen, loved, and paid. Whether you’re eager to DIY your way to success or hire professionals to help you along the way–my goal is to make sure you walk away with the clarity you need to see the results you desire and build a life you love.
Table of Contents
Travel ambitions and paternity leave: thinking beyond the birth
Health and pregnancy experience: every pregnancy is different
What I actually did (a practical checklist for small business maternity leave)
How to communicate with clients: boundaries and expectations
What I wish someone had told me sooner about small business maternity leave
Parting advice: your small business maternity leave is a plan, not a promise
Why this matters: the intersection of family, business, and small business maternity leave
Running a business while planning maternity leave isn’t something you tack on the to-do list — it changes the way you structure your finances, your client load, and your expectations. When I say "small business maternity leave," I mean the whole ecosystem: cash flow planning, client decisions, product launches, and yes, whether you’ll pump, breastfeed, or formula feed. Every choice you make impacts how your business operates while you’re away, how quickly you come back, and how you protect your emotional bandwidth as a new parent.
How my preparations evolved across kids
Each baby taught me something new about balancing work and life. I’ll break down what I did differently for each child so you can borrow the parts that work for you.
First baby (Thalia): I obsessed over gear and the nursery. I cataloged every Pinterest list, bought a wipe warmer I never used, and packed my hospital bag months early.
Second baby (Raiyah): COVID changed everything. We had restrictions on visitors, and I lived at my mom’s for a time. Preparation became logistical: how to manage the holidays while welcoming a new baby. Work? I was on maternity leave from my 9-5 and had only started toying with the idea of my own business. I started while I was on leave with her.
Third baby (Rhett): I finally focused on systems. I learned the importance of a quality pump, the value of preset content, and how to scale back client commitments in a targeted way. I built a course in snatches between feeds and naps. This is where the phrase small business maternity leave became a strategy, not just anxiety.
Fourth baby: Everything becomes a domino: taxes, vehicle choices, rental income, and a plan for my partner to take an extended paternity leave. This time, my preparation centers on systems and passive income, because I know what I can and can’t control.
Realistic hospital and newborn prep (spoiler: you don’t need a wipe warmer)
Hospital prep is one of those things that sounds like a massive checklist, but in practice the essentials are few. If you’re building a plan around small business maternity leave, simplify the hospital portion so it doesn't spin you out.
Pack a simple hospital bag: ID, insurance card, phone charger, a comfy outfit, snacks, and a loose plan for pumping or formula — whatever you anticipate.
Don’t spend hours on gear lists in the third trimester. Babies sleep near you for months; that new glitzy nursery furniture is optional.
Designate one person to handle logistics: who will bring food, who will retrieve forgotten things, and who will handle your immediate business needs if you ask for it.
Feeding: honest lessons on breastfeeding, pumping, and formula
I’m candid about feeding because no one told me how messy the options would be. Breastfeeding is often framed as intuitive — "just latch the baby on, mama" — but for many of us it’s technical, painful, and sometimes not the best fit. That reality matters when you're planning small business maternity leave: feeding choices directly affect your sleep, your time, and your ability to work.
If breastfeeding is your goal, meet with a lactation consultant early. A good consultant can save you weeks of pain and confusion.
If pumping is part of your plan, invest in a properly fitted pump with appropriate flange sizes. Over-the-counter pumps can be fine for a short time, but they often don’t work efficiently for long-term supply.
Formula is valid and practical. If formula enables you to sleep, reduce stress, and show up as the parent you want to be, it’s worth factoring into your small business maternity leave plan.
Lactation consultant Lori Cowx joins me on the Go Get Great podcast to share breastfeeding and bottle feeding tips for new moms. Tune in here.
Work prep: building systems for an entrepreneur’s leave
As a small business owner, maternity leave doesn't mean your inbox gets cleaned magically. It means you decide how much of your business continues without you and where you invest to make it happen. For small business maternity leave, this is what I do:
Reduce ongoing client work where possible. I shifted to one-off projects instead of weekly management services so I’m not tied to recurring labor during leave.
Batch content and automate. I schedule social posts, email sequences, and lead magnets so they keep performing while I’m out of the day-to-day.
Create low-ticket offers and evergreen funnels. These can bring in income without ongoing labor and are a cornerstone of any small business maternity leave plan.
Be realistic about what you’ll finish beforehand. I aim to complete a few critical projects and accept that not everything will be done.
Money: EI, tax timing, and creative cash flow
One of the hardest parts of planning maternity leave as a small business owner is that government benefits like EI often don’t match the fluidity of self-employed income. Knowing this early shapes every other decision.
Run the numbers early. Don’t assume you’ll get EI or that it will cover what you need — confirm eligibility and prepare alternatives. In Ontario EI is available for self-employed individuals but the system is totally different. You have to pay into the system for a full 12 months and meet certain income thresholds.
Pivot if needed: sell or trade vehicles, rearrange mortgages, or look for rental income. We found that renting out a basement room could offset the stop in household income when one parent is on leave.
Build short-term offers and lead magnets ahead of time to create small, reliable income streams during leave.
Logistics at home: space, vehicles, and renting a room
Adding a fourth child forced us to examine physical space and transportation. If you're planning around small business maternity leave, think beyond baby gear — consider how your home, vehicles, and storage will support this season of life.
Declutter before the baby arrives. Purging outgrown clothing and unused gear frees up mental and physical space.
Choose vehicles based on practical needs: passenger capacity, towing (if you plan to travel with a trailer), and resale/finance realities.
Renting a room or basement can be a smart financial decision if you’re open to sharing space. It isn't for everyone, but it's a useful tool for managing the economic realities of small business maternity leave.
Travel ambitions and paternity leave: thinking beyond the birth
Our plan for this baby included the dream of traveling while my husband takes paternity leave. That changes the way we prepare: I want to set up systems that make travel feasible, like portable content strategies and rental-ready home prep.
Decide what travel means for your family. Will you stay in one trailer or move between Airbnbs? Each option has different demands on gear and planning.
Coordinate paternity leave with your business cycle. If your partner is available to take extended leave, plan launches and client communication around that window.
Use travel as motivation to build more passive income layers — courses, evergreen funnels, and automated email sequences that run while you’re offline.
Spoiler: This didn't actually happen for us during that leave, check our this episode for why we had to change our plans. Tune into this episode if you want our travel tips as a family of 6 ⬇️.
Health and pregnancy experience: every pregnancy is different
Physically, I’ve had three very different pregnancies. Some were easier; some hit hard. When planning small business maternity leave, don’t assume your past experience will predict this time. Build contingency plans for lower energy, food tolerances, or extra medical appointments.
Keep a flexible timeline. Inductions or medical advice can shift your due date, which impacts when you hand off work.
Prepare for downtime. Low-energy days will happen — allocate work that’s flexible and forgiving during those periods.
Prioritize sleep. If an arrangement like formula feeding or shared night duties allows you to rest, factor that into both your parenting and your business plans.
What I actually did (a practical checklist for small business maternity leave)
Here’s a condensed checklist you can adapt. Think of this as the tactical output of everything I learned.
Decide feeding strategy and backup plan (consult lactation help, buy a pump if needed).
Reduce recurring client work; offer one-off projects instead.
Batch and schedule social media and emails for at least six weeks.
Build or refresh an evergreen funnel and low-ticket offers.
Confirm tax situation and EI eligibility early; run worst-case financial scenarios.
Consider short-term income like renting a room.
Consolidate, purge, and organize kid clothing and gear.
Choose vehicles based on family needs and financing reality.
Plan travel logistics if your partner will take leave and you’ll be mobile.
Tell clients your plan early and set clear expectations about response times and responsibilities.
Emotional prep: permission to let some things go
One of the biggest lessons I learned is that you cannot do it all — and you don’t have to. Planning small business maternity leave means deciding which parts of your business you’ll let run on autopilot and which parts you’ll shield from interruption.
Define non-negotiables: what must continue to happen for your business to be OK.
Identify "good enough" tasks that can be paused or outsourced.
Tell your inner critic to take a hike. You are not failing if your inbox grows while you’re home with a newborn.
How to communicate with clients: boundaries and expectations
Set expectations early and be transparent without apologizing. Your clients will appreciate clarity and the chance to plan alongside you.
Email key clients two months out with a clear plan: what you’ll deliver, who will cover urgent issues, and how responses might be delayed.
Offer alternatives: one-off projects, limited engagements, or a re-scheduling of launch dates.
Use automated email replies with clear timelines and resources for common questions.
Tools and tech that saved my sanity
Simple tools can make a huge difference in how your business behaves while you’re focusing on your family.
Scheduling tools for social media posts and emails.
Simple course platforms or checkout systems to deliver evergreen offers.
Project management with clear timelines so you can hand off tasks cleanly.
A reliable pump and storage system if you plan to pump — don’t skimp here.
My unapologetic rules for this round
These are the vows I made for baby number four — small rules that protected my time, sanity, and business.
No heavy weekly client commitments for at least three months.
Pre-launch evergreen content to avoid frantic work during newborn fatigue.
Partner handles night feeds at least three nights a week, through pumping or formula, so I can sleep.
If something can be automated, it gets automated.
What I wish someone had told me sooner about small business maternity leave
Here are the blunt truths you probably won’t hear in a viral post but will make a difference to your planning.
EI and government supports rarely cover entrepreneurial realities; plan financially as if they won’t materialize.
Breastfeeding is optional and not a moral measure of parenting; pick the feeding method that lets you function.
You will feel guilt — that’s normal. Plan for it with a realistic schedule and support system.
Reduce friction now: simplify routines, clear out closets, and list furniture you don’t need anymore.
Stories from the trenches: lowlights, highlights, and the unexpected
Every birth story is unique. With my first child, my water broke in the middle of the night and I panicked about an unfinished nursery. With the second, pandemic restrictions made logistics harder. The third taught me that a quality pump and a plan to batch content made all the difference. This fourth time, we’ve made large financial moves (including trading vehicles and renting a room) to make extended paternity leave possible. Small business maternity leave isn’t just a policy — it’s a series of practical choices that reflect your family values.
Hear more stories in the podcast version of this episode, and check out the Go Get Great podcast for more small business and motherhood advice.
FAQ
How do I know if I’ll qualify for EI as a small business owner?
Eligibility for EI while self-employed depends on your filing, the type of business, and your earnings history. Don’t assume qualification — check with your accountant and your local EI office well before your due date so you can budget for the worst-case scenario.
What are the most important business systems to set up before leave?
Automated email sequences, scheduled social content, an evergreen product or course, and a clear client communication plan are the minimum. These allow your business to continue to generate revenue and reduce urgent interruptions while you’re focusing on your family.
Should I hire help to cover my clients?
It depends on your cash flow and client expectations. If your clients need ongoing weekly work, hire or contract someone to cover those responsibilities. Alternatively, shift clients toward one-off projects or pauses to reduce the need for long-term coverage.
How can I prepare financially if EI is not reliable for my situation?
Build emergency cash reserves, consider short-term rental income, and create low-ticket offers that can run passively. Trade non-essential vehicles or items for liquidity if needed, and run conservative scenarios so you know your minimum runway.
What feeding strategy makes the most sense for a small business owner?
There’s no one-size-fits-all. If pumping and shared night feeds let you rest and function, they’re a great option. Formula can be the most practical choice for sleep and shared caregiving. Prioritize sleep and mental health — those will help you parent and run a business better than any feeding method alone.
How far in advance should I talk to clients about my leave?
Start the conversation at least 6–8 weeks out. That gives clients time to adjust timelines, purchases, or expectations. For major launches, aim for earlier notice and a clear handoff plan so everyone feels secure.
Can I travel while on paternity or maternity leave and still run my business?
Yes, with systems in place. Automate content, delegate urgent tasks, and set expectations for response times. Choose accommodations and plans that minimize friction (e.g., one base camp like a trailer or a single Airbnb) and keep your tech simple.
What if my pregnancy has complications and I need to shift plans?
Build flexibility into your schedule and finances. Have contingency plans for delayed launches, temporary hires, or extended leave. Communicate early with clients and ask for grace — most people will understand when presented with facts and a plan.
Parting advice: your small business maternity leave is a plan, not a promise
Here's the truth: you can plan for small business maternity leave, but you can’t control everything. Babies, taxes, and clients have a way of changing the best-laid plans. What you can control is how you prepare: reduce recurring commitments, build automation, create conservative financial forecasts, and set clear boundaries with your clients. Prioritize your health and your family, and treat your business like the important, valuable thing it is — but not the only thing that defines you.
Finally, remember to be kind to yourself. Whether you end up breastfeeding, pumping, or formula feeding, whether you take a month off or keep working between naps, you're doing the hard work. The right small business maternity leave plan is the one that lets you parent in a way that keeps your business standing and your sanity intact.
If you want a single takeaway: start planning early, automate what you can, and decide which parts of your business you're willing to let go of for a little while. That combination made all the difference for me.
Come say hi!
Ready to level up your life and business taking it from good to great? Hit follow and please leave a review if you enjoyed this episode! The kids and I might even bust out a happy dance! 💗 - Brittany
00:00 Intro
1:45 Preparing for Thalia
5:00 Hospital prep
8:00 Different feeding techniques we've tried
12:00 Prep for Raiyah & Rhett
14:00 House prep
16:30 Work prep for baby 4
23:00 Finance prep
25:30 Travel ambitions
32:00 Parental leave realities
37:00 Pregnancy symptom differences
44:00 Organizing vehicles for kids
48:15 Wrap up
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