Small business owner Kathryn Price would have held client meetings from the labour ward if she could.

Key points: Some research says working mothers are overall happier and healthier

Some research says working mothers are overall happier and healthier But experts also say stay-at-home mums have a stronger bond with their children

But experts also say stay-at-home mums have a stronger bond with their children Professor Paula Brough says as long as it is "the mother's choice", either option can be beneficial

The 28-year-old is juggling raising nine-week-old baby Lily and running her boutique PR company based in Ropes Crossing, NSW.

"I have worked so hard to build my business up to a point there is no way I would ever give it up," Ms Price said when asked why she did not take any time off work.

A Snapchat summing up Kathryn Price's working life from home. ( Supplied: Kathryn Price )

"It was really important to me and as a mum to continue what I was doing to be the best mum I could."

Ms Price said she had been able to work from home, and despite working long hours, they were flexible.

"I treat Lily as my little business sidekick. I take her to meetings. I work with clients who support what I do," she said.

"Don't get me wrong, I've had times where I wanted to crack. The other day we had a bit of an explosion while I was on the phone to a client.

"I just had to say, 'My baby just shit everywhere' — it was on the carpet, all over the door, it was epic."

With family support and understanding clients, Ms Price said continuing work was proving to be the right choice.

"Working has helped me to keep my sanity, because I am not in baby land 24/7 and I still have adult conversations," she said.

'I just love work'

Lauren Goudy is so passionate about her real estate job, she was back at it one week after giving birth to her son Kurt.

Having already been a stay-at-home mum for two years with her daughter Tori, the 31-year-old didn't want to leave her career behind for a second time.

Lauren Goudy stayed home with her daughter but returned to work shortly after having her son. ( Supplied: Lauren Goudy )

"I can understand with people's first baby, it can be overwhelming so they are more inclined to stay at home," the Sydneysider said.

"But I had gone through that process with my daughter, and I just love work and didn't want to have to go back and start again."

The full-time real estate buyer's agent said some of her greatest successes occurred while juggling clients and nursing her newborn.

Lauren Goudy stayed home with her daughter Tori for two years. ( Supplied: Lauren Goudy )

"There were times when I had to go out to inspections and I had a nanny in the car with the baby, and I would breastfeed between going into inspections with clients," Ms Goudy said.

Despite occasional sleep deprivation and bouts of "mummy guilt", Ms Goudy said a flexible employer, nanny and supportive home life had made the balancing act possible.

Choice is key to happiness, expert says

Ms Goudy and Ms Price both said they had been judged for returning to work so soon. And whatever your opinion on the stay-at-home versus working debate, there is research to confirm it.

Research from the University of North Carolina in 2011 found working mothers were overall happier and healthier than those who did not work.

A study from the University of Oxford says it is better for kids too, with young children of non-working mothers having lower capabilities in terms of talking, social skills and movement.

But before you dust off that briefcase, many experts say stay-at-home mums are less burnt out and have a stronger bond with their children.

Norwegian research from 2013 tells us even older children benefit from having parents at home more often, with data showing they perform better at school.

Professor Paula Brough from Griffith University's School of Applied Psychology said in fact working mums and non-working mums could be equally happy, as long as what they were doing was by choice.

"If everything else is good and if it's the mother's choice [to work] and you get sufficient help in the workplace and home, having a variety of roles is generally beneficial," she said.

However, she said a period of several months at home with baby was preferable in order to facilitate bonding time.

"Whether that be mothers or fathers — parental leave of several months is beneficial," Professor Brough said.

"There are also health reasons around the recovery from birth for mother. There are studies that indicate if a return to work is too premature, then there could be more sick leave occurring later."

'Finances forcing mums back into workforce'

Data from the Household, Incomes and Labour Dynamics in Australia collected from 2001 to 2008 shows the number of mothers returning to the workforce earlier is increasing.

Kathryn Price says her husband Grant has been very supportive of her working. ( Supplied: Kathryn Price )

Professor Brough said her research showed most working mothers of infants and young children were under pressure financially.

"They have bills and a mortgage, but we as a society we have to think is that the best reason when parents might be missing out," she said.

Her research flagged issues around paid parental leave and limited childcare options as reasons parents lacked freedom.

Ms Goudy agreed choice had been key to her success.

"I've had a nanny the whole time and wouldn't have been able to do it otherwise," she said.

"And one of the essential elements is that I'm doing something I'm passionate about.

"I'm not doing something because I have to and I know it makes me a better parent and more inspirational for my kids."

Ms Price said as long as women loved their children, it did not matter if they went to work or stayed home.

"Women can make their own choices," she said.

"Being a mum is a full-time job and a special job, the best job in the world.

"If they don't have to go back to work, then that's great for them."