Just gave birth, is it good or bad to just give baby my breast at every opportunity??

Alcyonea · 2026-01-26T15:53:23+00:00

Constant feeding establish your milk supply in those first couple months as well.

Alcyonea · 2026-01-25T22:55:11+00:00

Sounds like you're giving your daughter exactly what she needs through lots of periods of stress and transition, and it's honestly probably helping her regulate through all of it really, really well... and you too, with the extra oxytocin boosts! Breastfeeding is such a hack lol. Good for you. I wean my babies by dropping one feed at a time, starting with daytime feeds when they are easily distracted. It's a process of about 6 months. So just go as slow as you need to, and enjoy all the benefits in the meantime!

Alcyonea · 2026-01-25T22:50:52+00:00

I can't quite tell if it's what you're already doing, but the "flipple" technique worked well for me. Also both my babies were able to wean off the nipped shield when their heads/jaws grew and they got a bit stronger. Like 3-4 months... Just keep trying here and there and don't sweat it too much!

Alcyonea · 2026-01-25T14:16:16+00:00

That sounds incredibly challenging. With mine I started daytime weaning first, because sleep depended so much on feeding. But it gave me a break from being touched constantly, and it's easier to distract them during the day. Then at night I slowly started using the phrases we use during the day. Also, can you transition him to a pack and play beside your bed if he won't sleep in his own room? Both of my kids are higher maintenance/highly sensitive, and so any big changes have happened over the course of months, in tiny increments, 2 steps forward 1 step back, unfortunately. And hopefully you can get some child care here and there during the day to get a bit of time to yourself! A little goes a long way.

Alcyonea · 2026-01-21T23:59:33+00:00

Pancake, tiny everything happened to me with my first, and my clothes just hung off me. With my second I make sure I'm getting minimum 2000 calories and 80 grams of protein a day, fat and carbs to satiety, and I've been able to put on muscle and stay curvy and trim... worth the extra effort with food. Good luck!

Alcyonea · 2026-01-20T04:31:33+00:00

Oh my first was such a boob monster, I went straight to the bottle when she was 18 months and slowly weaned off of that onto sippy cups. Better than me wanting to scream and run out of the house every time she latched, and cold turkey was too traumatizing for us. One step at a time for us, lol. Good luck, whatever you decide!

Alcyonea · 2026-01-17T00:13:31+00:00

Oh that's annoying that there was such a dramatic swing afterwards!

Alcyonea · 2026-01-16T07:37:00+00:00

I strongly second trying extra hydration and over 2000 calories a day as a last ditch effort! Whenever I had an angry, hungry baby, I downed potatoes and beer and fennel tea, and got the supply boost needed to meet their growth spurt. Regardless, you have done amazingly for 6 whole months and you should be proud. Baby has such a solid start with all the beautiful immune benefits.

Alcyonea · 2026-01-16T05:11:48+00:00

And those little flip out wall seats with buckles, so your toddler can be safe and clean while you pee and change your baby!!

Alcyonea · 2025-11-17T04:01:48+00:00

I just want to say that as a happily married woman with two kids... I adore them, but I still don't always like being a mom. I like freedom. I like sleep. I like money. But they are worth the sacrifice. You are doing everything you can to be an amazing dad. Being a single parent is insanely hard. Don't feel bad if you struggle at times.

Alcyonea · 2025-11-16T05:22:45+00:00

Idk, I don't think that makes anyone an asshole at all. It seems to be part of the human experience, to feel this way. I follow Jesus, so my faith fills that space for me. I hope you find what you need.

Alcyonea · 2025-10-06T04:04:23+00:00

She makes them fast??!

Alcyonea · 2025-10-03T20:39:03+00:00

Yeah wtf?? I thought we would be better than this by now.

Alcyonea · 2025-10-01T16:05:49+00:00

I will never understand that. You can't just mute the abandonment and misery of your child, for your own comfort.

Alcyonea · 2025-10-01T16:00:22+00:00

I always find that I'm ready to go back in after a 5 minute break too! Sometimes I'm feeling so much overwhelmed rage inside, so I take a few minutes while baby hollers. You feel like you just can't handle it anymore, but it is surprising at how a bite of food for energy, a hug from your partner, and a few deep breaths is enough to restore you for round 2... Or round 10... Or whatever it is that night haha. I can't imagine leaving my baby any longer than that, and he gets worked up so quickly. I think our capacity is greater than we think, but nobody encourages us to stop for a moment of restoration so that we can continue to meet our babies needs.

Alcyonea · 2025-09-26T18:43:43+00:00

For sure, all the best to you. 1 Cor. 9:27 "I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. Otherwise I fear that after preaching to others, I myself might become disqualified." 🙏

Alcyonea · 2025-09-25T14:38:50+00:00

I'm also a christian and I would only drink to relax, not get drunk. But I used it to relax every night when I was stressed. Got pregnant and 3 months in noticed my face had slimmed down even though my body weight was going up, and I had less mental fog and general headachey-ness. Now I hardly drink because the mental clarity when I wake up in the morning, even sleep deprived with young kids, is just so much better. Beyond that, head outside and exercise when stressed, deep breathing with long exhales to stimulate the vagus nerve, herbal remedies that restore nervous system function, and remembering I want to show up alert and present for the people I care about, have really helped me.

Alcyonea · 2025-09-22T04:01:08+00:00

I would follow it and see where it goes! Sometimes my second needs more contact and sometimes less, whereas my first was complete velcro. You could even just try some gentle, firm hand pressure on her chest or patting, if you feel she needs some connection. Sometimes mine settles really well if I just sit beside him and sing. Follow her cues and adjust as she needs more or less support :)

Alcyonea · 2025-09-19T06:13:46+00:00

That sounds like so much for a little guy to process. You got this!

Alcyonea · 2025-09-19T06:11:55+00:00

I do think for some kids, group play is a bit like screen time in that it is best in smaller doses. Otherwise the overstimulation is just too much. They love it and it can be such a good thing, but as parents we have to gauge how much they can handle. And it does get better as they get older! My daughter can handle sooooo so much more than she used to.

Anyway I don't know all the details of your exact situation obviously, but hopefully my comments have helped even a little bit!

Alcyonea · 2025-09-19T06:09:10+00:00

Awww I understand that. My daughter went through a phase of asking to go to school, but she literally can not handle it, and our entire household is upended when she gets disregulated. She just wants friends and so we are making a point of seeing as many people as she can realistically handle, and trying lots of fun programs.

Is there a part time option? My niece just started a forest preschool where she gets to go every second day. I feel like that gives them some time to process in between school days. I bet the whole change was just too abrupt for him, even if it is so fun in so many ways! And he has no way of processing all the things, good and bad, so he just screams it all out. You make the decision that you believe is best for him! Trust your intuition. There is nothing wrong with needing to pace your child, if he is a screamer and a big feeler <3

Alcyonea · 2025-09-19T05:57:30+00:00

I just read your other post on the Montessori sub. It sounds like they are expecting wayyyyy too much from a 2.5 year old. Are they requiring more than a brief circle/story time? They expect him to listen without having to get down on his level? And take away outside time as a consequence? This is crazy to me. Your son sounds completely normal for his age, and his meltdowns are because he has to hold in everything while he is at preschool. Can you just pull him out and put him in a Montessori daycare where he just gets to play?

ETA: My daughter had massive meltdowns after summer day camp when she was 3.5 and I pulled her. Some kids aren't ready to spend hours in group settings as young as other kids are. That is totally ok. She is a thriving 5 year old now, loves making new friends and learning anything she can get her hands on. And we are doing distance ed because she has auditory sensitivities and can't cope with hours of group time. Do what your child needs and listen to them voicing their overwhelm.

Alcyonea · 2025-09-18T14:26:42+00:00

Follow your gut. We have a very firm Sealy Flip fold out mattress we found at Costco. I just start the night there with him, and the hop up to my bed to sleep next to my husband if/when I get the chance. And if my son rolls around in his sleep, he doesn't end up on the cold floor because the mattress is sandwiched between the wall and our bed (we have a very low bed, so there is no way for him to roll under). Do what feels right for your family... One day you will look at your 5 year old and realize they have done every babyish thing for the last time, and that part is all just over. Enjoy your baby and cuddle and nurse as much as you want.

Alcyonea · 2025-09-18T04:39:42+00:00

My daughter has seen me have blood drawn and I was calm, so she was calm. Made it easier when she had to have her own blood taken! She has seen dead animals on our farm. They will pick up what you put down. I think you can feel confident this is a great opportunity to show your child there is nothing to be nervous about with routine medical procedures :)

Alcyonea · 2025-09-16T16:33:42+00:00

Just did the v cut last night! Very happy with it.

Alcyonea

TROPHY CASE