Going on maternity leave offers a precious opportunity to bond with your new baby – but for many families, it also means a noticeable and difficult drop in income. While nobody would call caring for a newborn “spare time”, you might find little pockets during naps or quiet evenings to focus on yourself – and even earn a bit of extra cash.
Before starting any side hustle, it’s crucial to check your maternity pay conditions. If you are receiving Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP) or contractual maternity pay, there may be restrictions on paid work, especially if you intend to return to your job. If you are not in the UK, please double check regulations in your country before taking on a side hustle. Always double-check with your HR department before taking on any paid work.
if you are happy that you are allowed to earn money, here are ten flexible ways to earn money while on maternity leave in the UK. Some pay very small amounts of money, and others could grow into a full-time business, but are likely to be more time-consuming. Choose your options based on your family’s needs and also your ability to spend time working – some newborns are more diffcult to care for than others, and you need to take time for yourself to recover too.
1. Start a Handmade Craft Business
If you’re skilled with your hands, maternity leave can be a brilliant time to explore crafting. Whether it’s crocheting baby clothes, creating handmade jewellery, or designing home décor pieces, crafting can be a relaxing outlet during your downtime.
Set up an Etsy shop, join UK craft marketplaces like Folksy, or sell on local Facebook groups to start building a loyal customer base.
Becoming a home baker could earn you a small fortune if you are good at it. I have a firedn who makes delicious homemade cupcakes for special occasions. Advertise on social media, but be sure to check what certificates and legal documents you need before you start selling to customers. This will look awesome on your CV and you could go into the hospitality industry. Check out how to write a dedicated hospitality CV to ensure you stand out.
2. Declutter and Sell
Turn your nesting instinct into profit by selling preloved items. From outgrown baby clothes to unused gadgets, there’s a market for almost everything. Use platforms like Vinted, eBay, and Facebook Marketplace to sell unwanted items. You can even go further by flipping bargains – buy in-demand products second-hand and resell them for a profit.
Hot tip for 2025: Baby gear, eco-friendly products, and vintage toys are particularly popular on resale sites right now.
3. Childminding (With Caution)
If you have the energy and space, offering informal childcare could be a profitable way to earn. You’ll need to register with Ofsted if you’re caring for children under 8 for more than two hours per day for payment – but occasional babysitting for friends or neighbours might not require registration.
Bear in mind, especially if your baby is your only experience of looking after children: caring for multiple children at once can be physically and emotionally demanding, especially when one of them is a newborn.
4. Online Freelance Work
The boom in remote work means there’s a huge demand for freelancers. If you have skills in writing, graphic design, social media management, virtual assistance, or bookkeeping, you could pick up flexible freelance projects that fit around nap times.
Great UK platforms to get started: PeoplePerHour, Upwork, and YunoJuno.
5. Become a Reseller (Dropshipping or Print-on-Demand)
Dropshipping and print-on-demand services allow you to sell products without holding inventory – perfect for busy mums.
You design or select products (like T-shirts, mugs, or planners), set up an online store, and suppliers fulfil orders for you.
UK-friendly platforms: Shopify (with UK suppliers like AOP+), Redbubble, and Etsy.
6. Online Trading (With Caution)
If you already have a financial mind, trading forex, stocks, or commodities might offer an intellectual challenge during maternity leave. However, trading is very high-risk. Do not start this as a maternity leave project if you have no previous experience in this area. Make sure you fully understand the markets and only ever invest money you can afford to lose.
Alternative for beginners: Consider low-risk options like investing in index funds via apps like Nutmeg or Moneybox.
7. Paid Surveys and Reviews
While completing surveys won’t make you rich, it can be a simple way to earn a little extra while breastfeeding or winding down for the night. Trusted UK survey sites for 2025 include Prolific, YouGov, and Swagbucks.
Also, reviewing products or testing websites can earn you vouchers or small payments via sites like UserTesting and Toluna.
8. Sell Digital Products
Digital products like planners, printable artwork, templates, or eBooks are booming — and once created, they can sell passively. If you have expertise in a subject (like baby routines, wellness tips, or budgeting), you can package your knowledge into an affordable digital download, then promote it on social media using Facebook, Instagram or TikTok
Easy platforms for selling: Etsy, Payhip, Pensight or your own simple website.
9. Launch a Blog or YouTube Channel
If you love sharing your motherhood journey, why not turn it into a blog or YouTube channel?
Monetisation takes time but can lead to significant income through advertising, brand partnerships, and affiliate marketing.
Focus on niche topics like “life with a newborn in the UK”, “realistic maternity leave tips”, or “postpartum recovery journey”.
10. Remote Customer Service Roles
Some companies actively hire remote customer service reps, often part-time and flexible — ideal if you can manage some regular hours during your baby’s naps or with childcare help.
UK companies like Sensée and Arise frequently recruit remote workers.
Final Thoughts: Small Starts Can Lead to Big Opportunities
It might feel overwhelming to start something new while caring for a tiny human — and that’s completely okay. Even the smallest steps towards earning extra money can boost your confidence, offer a creative outlet, and maybe even blossom into a full-time income later.
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