I’m taking 12 weeks off. Sadly maternity leave benefits in our country are lacking. A lot of companies don’t offer paid leave. In my state you’re able to take 12 weeks of paid (i think 60% of your pay) FMLA and my job offers 6 weeks of maternity leave paid 100%.
It really depends on everyone’s individual situation. With my first I went back around 5 months but I worked for my husband and I brought her to work with me until she started crawling then I got a babysitter. But I only worked part time. With my second I went back full time at 4 months because I was working for a big company and didn’t want to lose my position. He went with a family relative though, not a daycare.
I think normal is 3 months but I think it depends on your job mine wanted me back at the 6 week mark or if you even want to go back depending on your situation at home. I wasn't ready to go back to work after having my son so I have been a sahm for 7 years and it was the best choice for our family and I don't regret leaving teaching preschoolers but that job was easy compared to staying at home all day. But Brody and I are super close and do everything together.