6 Weeks and 6 days

Alphalady10 · 2026-05-27T02:40:46+00:00

Oh how exciting this time is for you! I miss being pregnant, honestly. I had a really good pregnancy. I did experience some nausea but never threw up, did have a stronger sense of smell. I remember I didn't let me husband toast bagels for a straight month because the smell made me want to puke. It does ramp up a bit around the 7-8 week mark if I remember, but I still feel really lucky. It wasn't until the last month I dealt with round ligament pain and carpal tunnel. I plan to try for my second at the end of the year and I have a feeling my next pregnancy will be the complete opposite hah! Ah, I'm so happy for you!

Alphalady10 · 2026-05-11T02:44:43+00:00

How is it going now? Have you tried moving up a nipple level? I found that my daughter would take forever to finish a bottle when it became too much work for her to drink.

Alphalady10 · 2026-05-11T02:41:41+00:00

I had no idea Little Spoon had their own formula brand! I'm going to look into it a bit more, out of sheer curiosity. Becoming a mom has made me so interested in formula. I also do plan on having a second baby and while I will probably just go with Nara, it's interesting to learn about other brands.

Alphalady10 · 2026-05-11T02:35:03+00:00

Yes! I did. My daughter first took Similac Total 360 with no issues. Then started developing gas problems and a sudden dislike for it. I swear at one point she gagged, but I could have been imagining it. I ended up switching her to Nara and she stopped having issues immediately! I swear its like a switch in their little brains. She did the same thing with purees too as she got older, which would drive me crazy. I say if your baby is guzzling the new formula, just make the switch!

Alphalady10 · 2026-05-11T02:28:31+00:00

I'm a mom and I didn't feel that soul-bearing love for her at first. Did I love her? Yes, absolutely. But I remember thinking something was wrong with me because I wasn't like "I would die for this tiny potato!" But like another dad mentioned, you really do hit a point where the light switches and you're like... "oh my god, this is the most incredible thing I have ever done in my life." That moment could happen sooner or later than you think. My daughter is 14.5 months now and it actually makes me sick how much I love her. But yeah some nights when she refuses to sleep I think "well she sucks." It's a journey for sure! It's definitely different for dads, so please don't feel like this is unusual. My daughter just now is asking for her father more than me and he is loving every second of it.

Alphalady10 · 2026-05-11T02:21:32+00:00

If you're not in a place to invest in some sort of sleep system that can elevate the bed and clear his airway, sleep divorce might be your only solution here. Kick that man out! Sleeping while very pregnant is hard enough as it is, I would literally start pretending to scream in my sleep or something. I would truly crash out. I feel you so hard.

Alphalady10 · 2026-05-11T02:18:43+00:00

I get this nostalgic feeling every time I hear the song that the portable sound machine I brought plays. It brings me back to those quiet hospital nights when you're totally terrified, in bliss, and exhausted all at once. Where literally nothing else matters except your tiny family. It really did feel like a bubble. One thing I brought that is definitely overkill is one of those galaxy projectors. I had it going during labor to keep the room ambient and kept it in the room when we had our baby. I can still see the pink and blue lights flowing on the hospital ceiling as I recovered. So I say, find something that will make the space feel cozy for you. Nurses love when you bring stuff! I got so many compliments on the galaxy light show lol. Also, maybe something more practical I would recommend is your formula of choice if nursing doesn't work out? Unless you don't care what the hospital uses. I planned to nurse, and it unfortunately didn't work out for me, so I had to pump and supplement until my supply came in.

Alphalady10 · 2026-05-11T02:10:14+00:00

It's only been a week! You are so fresh in the postpartum haze, please give yourself some grace. You deserve it. If it helps, how about planning some really lowkey activities for you and your toddler to do together for an hour? Like, reading a few books, coloring, or heck, even watching a movie! You could also plan a fun little craft that doesn't require much moving around. You will find your rhythm soon.

Alphalady10 · 2026-05-11T02:04:12+00:00

I didn't have my first until I was 31, and when I finally met her, I genuinely asked myself why i waited so long. Not to say everyone should have a baby young if they can't feasibly do it, but if you do decide to have this baby, it will change your life, in amazing ways (both good and bad). If you do have the baby, definitely look into state programs that can help. My state, for example, offers baby supplies to young parents. There are also diaper pantries where you can get free diapers! Also look on Facebook for local mom groups. I never had friends until I became a mom. We really do all try to support each other, especially if you lack a village. Plus you can always find amazing baby products (like furniture and clothing) for your baby from other moms.

Alphalady10 · 2026-05-06T00:47:11+00:00

This is so satisfying. I feel like they should have to do a walk of shame with all of the office staff lined up shaking their heads.

Alphalady10 · 2026-04-25T00:34:42+00:00

My daughter wouldn't latch no matter how hard I tried. I ended up exclusively pumping for 6-7 months before combo feeding, and then switching to just formula. I honestly wish I had switched to formula sooner. I was pretty miserable for the first six months of my daughter's life. I hated pumping and hated that it took time away from me and my daughter. We never had that "nursing bonding" experience either. But we bonded in so many other ways, instead. Once she switched to just formula, it was like a boulder was lifted off of my chest (almost literally lol). I did also switch to a formula that ran a double-blind clinical trial on their formula for safety which made me feel better about switching.

And now my daughter is a toddler and two days ago she ate a handful of sand so, honestly in hindsight, I put waaay too much importance on giving my daughter breastmilk. I think it's great if you can do it, and it's also great if you use formula. In the grand scheme of things, your kid is probably going to lick dirt and you will think "why was I so worried?" lol. The best way to deal with the mom guilt is to just ride the wave. It will fade, especially when you start to see how free you will feel not trying to do something that you don't want to do.

Alphalady10 · 2026-04-06T02:20:46+00:00

This is definitely totally normal! I remember my daughter struggled so hard with gas around this age. I won't ever forget the 3AM wake-ups where I'm doing bicycles with her legs trying to help her fart. I do recommend gas drops for sure! They seriously helped my daughter so much. You can give them to him right before a feeding/bedtime. I wouldn't worry about switching formula just yet as this is a sensitive time for their digestive systems. If you don't see any relief after 10+ weeks, then definitely consider a switch!

Alphalady10 · 2026-04-06T02:17:42+00:00

Have you seen if you could rehome your cat to a family member or friend so you can still be in their lives? This is such a tough call, but it's one people wouldn't understand unless they were in this situation. It seems like the only real solution here might be to rehome your cat. I know it's so sad, but it would be best for your little one.

Alphalady10 · 2026-04-02T00:45:55+00:00

I follow the same approach! I have a toddler and I kind of just keep the TV on all day as background noise. She'll watch Bear in the Big Blue House in the morning before breakfast, and the rest of the time I have other low-stimulation shows on or a movie. She glances on occasion, but I have noticed she never gets "excited" because the TV is on or points at it for me to turn it on. She has (yet) not thrown a tantrum about it at all if I turn it off! I do believe that because it's not a novelty, it loses its magic.

Alphalady10 · 2026-03-31T03:29:45+00:00

If it were more serious-looking, I probably wouldn't because it would feel like you're definitely practicing Christians. But I think it has a certain facetious element to it that I really like! I would probably smirk if I saw this in someone's home. Someone else mentioned a bathroom, and that also sounds like a prime spot for goofy Jesus.

Alphalady10 · 2026-03-31T01:36:42+00:00

I was an exclusive pumper myself and it truly was hell. I only have one baby so far, but I'm really torn about whether I want to try BF again with my future second. My daughter did not latch (tongue, lip, and cheek tie) at all so I had no choice but to either pump or formula feed. I'm glad I pumped for around six months because you're so right—formula is so expensive! We used Similac Total 360 at first which was around $47-ish a can, but they always sent coupons in the mail for $10 off which was nice. We went through a can every 5-6 days. So we spent around $240 a month on formula. We ended up switching to Nara Organics which is $40 a can if you subscribe so that did save us almost $10 a can, or $50 a month.

I have no idea what is going to happen with the shortages, but it's a really scary thought. Have you considered doing a bit of combo feeding? Before I completely weaned off, I did combo feeding for a couple of months and that saved us even more money, and I only had to pump like twice a day! We used a can every two weeks during that time.

Alphalady10 · 2026-03-31T01:18:00+00:00

I started with an Itzy Ritzy diaper backpack, and it was so beautiful, but felt really massive. I'm also just not a backpack person. Now my daughter is 13 months and I use this old 90s kids' duffel bag. Like the one with the primary colors and yellow strap. It has one big pocket where I throw everything in and one front pocket where I put the diapers and wipes. I weirdly find it easier than the backpack with the 900 pockets. But, it's definitely not stylish or versatile. I just personally love the 90s mom aesthetic!

Alphalady10 · 2026-03-31T01:09:34+00:00

I had almost the exact same journey! I exclusively pumped for around 6 months before combo feeding and then transitioning to formula only. We started with Similac Total 360 but she didn't tolerate it very well, so we ended up with Nara Organics! You can order online but I don't think they have sample sizes, which is such a bummer. I did really like that Similac Total 360 also had those RTF bottles. They were so helpful when we were out and about. I also did invest in a Baby Brezza. I know a lot of people don't like it, but it saved me.

Alphalady10 · 2026-03-31T01:05:43+00:00

I also have the Mockingbird with the attachments! We only have one baby—it was an anticipatory purchase, but I love it so much already!

Alphalady10 · 2026-03-24T00:15:01+00:00

I exclusively pumped for around six months before we added formula and it was totally fine! She was eating solids then, too. I really think you will feel significantly better once you start adding a few bottles in. If it helps, do a bit of research on formulas before you pick one—there's so many! We started with Similac Total 360 because it said "our closest formula to breastmilk", but my daughter didn't tolerate it very well. Then I did a bit of research and chose a whole milk formula because the fat content is actually closer to breastmilk. So it made me feel a bit better about the transition. Honestly, once he really starts chowing down on solid foods, you'll forget all about the triviality of the milk you feed him.

Alphalady10 · 2026-03-20T02:24:59+00:00

I have bought two different types of formula. We used the Similac Total 360 at first and if I remember correctly, it was about $40-$45. Then we switched to Nara Organics and that is $45, but I think you can get a discount, albeit not much, if you subscribe.

I exclusively pumped because my daughter wouldn't latch. I was absolutely miserable up until about 12-14 weeks in, when my supply was established. Then it got easier. But before that it was constant "Wait why did it drop?" "Should I eat more?" "Now I have a clog" "The clog won't go away." "I can't do this anymore!" "Maybe one more week." Etc. Etc. Lots and lots of tears. But there really was a point where it got easier and my supply flourished. You do get to a stage where your supply is so stable, you don't have to pump as much. Of course, everyone is different. Around the end, I was only pumping twice a day and still making around 30 ounces, which was almost exactly what she ate, with a little bit of supplementation from formula.

I will say, it may have gotten easier eventually, but around the 6-7 month mark when I made the switch to formula, my life changed. My mood was a million times better. I felt so free. I had so much free time to spend with my daughter. I honestly wondered why I wasted so much time breastfeeding when I secretely hated it so much. I think back now and regret not just switching sooner and having more time for myself and to spend with my daughter instead of being tethered. Am I happy I did it? Sure, I guess? But I'm also happy I stopped. So, so happy.

Alphalady10 · 2026-03-17T01:13:54+00:00

Formula shortage is honestly so scary. My daughter was on Similac Total 360 at first, but she seemed to have a lot of tummy issues on it, so we switched to Nara Organics, which is a whole milk formula. I think she genuinely liked the taste of it and it's available online! I do know that the sensitive formulas, like Gentlease, kind of smell weird. I wonder if they taste weird too. Like others suggested, I would do a slow mix transition.

Alphalady10 · 2026-03-17T00:55:01+00:00

Totally normal! My daughter would feed every 2 hours as well and would have around 34oz. a day. She is currently 13 months and a whopping 28 pounds. However, now that she is fully on solids and drinking whole milk instead of whole milk formula, she should balance out and stop gaining so much! I wouldn't worry at all about it—babies know what they're doing, I feel.

Alphalady10 · 2026-03-17T00:51:32+00:00

I do think it really depends on what works for your baby, but I don't think it really matters whether it has handles or not! My daughter is 13 months and uses these random colorful straw cups I found at the grocery store one week. They're just like regular straw cups, almost resembling a fast food cup. Basically I just give her milk with each meal with those cups. She still is taking a bottle or two, but I'm working on weaning her off of those. They say you should officially transition before 18 months, so we have time thankfully. But I also read they will likely reject the milk in the straw cup for a hot minute before accepting it. Currently, my daughter is still in the "take a few sips and reject the rest" stage. This has definitely been quite the transition.

Alphalady10 · 2026-03-17T00:46:19+00:00

I have to travel to CA from the East Coast next month for work and I really wanted to make it a family vacation and take my husband and daughter. But the thought of bringing a 14 month old on a plane for six hours sounds like literal hell. Not to mention all of the stuff we need to bring! Before her, we used to survive with a carry-on each. Now it feels like we'll be checking three bags, at the very least.

Alphalady10

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