I totally agree with the last two posters. My maternity leave with my daughter was one of the happiest times of my life. My husband went back to work two weeks later and I had no family nearby to help, but I made lots of new mum friends and had a fantastic time. The first day he went back was pretty daunting. I didn't even make it to the corner shop til after 2 and I had to put the sling on in front of the mirror (at my first attempt she had two legs out of one leg hole) but it got easier.