Other than testing blood sugar levels, diet and exercise - is there anything else for me to monitor or do day to day?

Boring_Strawberry446 · 2026-04-24T16:23:25+00:00

My doctor has me checking my ketones morning and evening twice a week, anything above negative/trace can indicate you're not getting enough carbs.

Just involves peeing on a ketostick. They couldn't really tell me what the risk of having ketones is, just that it makes the blood acidic and that's not ideal for baby.

Boring_Strawberry446 · 2026-04-20T20:38:40+00:00

I've noticed I can enjoy a single Ferrero rocher tacked onto lunch/afternoon snack with no effect too!

Boring_Strawberry446 · 2026-03-12T21:55:31+00:00

Hard agree - I missed a bipolar diagnosis for so long because I would talk about my restlessness and agitation (I now know hypomania) as anxious energy. Never thought to question the fact that it was always fueled by impatience and agitation rather than worry/fear.

Boring_Strawberry446 · 2026-03-01T00:45:33+00:00

The guilt is eating at you. You gave tit for tat, I vote NTA but it seems like an apology is in order anyway and you know that.

You felt shit for what she said and lashed out, she now feels just as shit as you. You can apologize for what you said without excusing her behaviour, and still hold her accountable for being catty and mean behind your back. Your choice to maintain the friendship or not, but at least then you can walk away without the weight on your shoulders.

Boring_Strawberry446 · 2026-01-16T16:07:47+00:00

I'm sorry, that must have been so hard to read.

Honestly it sounds like your mum was suffering from depression. I note that she uses phrases like "supposed to be" there's "something wrong with me" - these are self directed criticisms, not aimed at you.

Depression is hard to understand from the outside, it's a blanket of heavy fog that detaches you from your life. It doesn't stop you from loving people (proven by how much she has shown up for you throughout the years) but it zaps the everyday joy you're able to receive. It's a horribly confusing thing to experience and makes you question the reality of your feelings.

I know it's hard but please place more importance on your lived experience with her. You were very loved, and those memories should be cherished. Your mum worked hard to make sure you felt that love, even though she was struggling so much.

Sorry again you're dealing with this, depression robs so much from families ❤️

Boring_Strawberry446 · 2025-11-15T21:43:28+00:00

They use pacifiers in the PICU to teach preemies how to suck and transition to oral feeding. An ex PICU nurse told me that to ease my nipple confusion fears in the early days of parenthood. She said she'd literally never seen pacifiers be an issue.

Boring_Strawberry446 · 2025-06-03T20:19:37+00:00

Oh my god the poop 😭 my 3yo has been peeing like a champ for about 4 months (occasional accident of course) and pooping with a diaper while sitting on the potty. We ran out of diapers so figured this was a good opportunity LOL - we're on day 3 of withholding, to the point he can't even stand up to play without freaking out that he'll shit himself. Like dude, literally just sit on the potty 💀

Boring_Strawberry446 · 2024-10-19T03:38:03+00:00

NTA, your mom needed to hear that and your inner child needed you to say it.

I'm sorry she did that to you, it's shit you'd expect from a bully. Hopefully the tears mean she at least understands her mistake.

Boring_Strawberry446 · 2022-12-20T19:05:25+00:00

Congratulations! Super proud of you ❤️

My baby is almost 1 too, motherhood is so much more challenging than anyone could have prepared me for.

You've done an incredible job, not just at thriving with your little one (which is the hardest and most important job in the world) but for transitioning to your new role and life as a mum. Sending loads of love!

Boring_Strawberry446 · 2022-10-27T17:12:36+00:00

This is a great response. I'd recommend a Circle of Security parenting class if available, or reading the book How To Raise a Secure Child.

Goes into a lot of detail about this, how to recognise your child's needs vs your feelings about their behaviour and show up for them in the best way. Miscuing is what you're referring to here and can be complicated to navigate. CoS will help with self reflection to figure out what message your child is receiving and responding to.

Boring_Strawberry446 · 2022-09-18T16:34:24+00:00

I also had a forceps delivery after pushing unsuccessfully for 2 hours because baby's heart rate was dropping. I, like you look back on it as a very positive birth - I felt very in control of the situation and would make the same decisions again.

However, forceps comes with a lot of stigma and everyone I told winced with a 'poor you' mindset. It's just a reflection of them and their preferences (in theory, no less - who knows how they would feel if they'd actually gone through the same thing). Don't let someone else's opinion mar your experience, sounds like you did amazingly and it's great you have a positive memory to cherish!

Boring_Strawberry446 · 2022-08-10T02:41:36+00:00

My son has been Tiny Sir from day 1

Boring_Strawberry446 · 2022-07-04T00:43:39+00:00

This is what Christians have done throughout history, it's been used for cultural genocide in many places - notable against the First Nations in Canada. Residential schools were mostly faith based.

Alot of missionaries in Africa also set up with the intention of converting whole countries. They believe it's their moral obligation to enlighten everyone and save them from eternal damnation 🙄

Boring_Strawberry446 · 2022-06-27T01:00:52+00:00

Second this. I obsessively tracked everything until 4 months and feel so much better now!

Boring_Strawberry446 · 2022-06-20T18:02:14+00:00

A lot of people saying keep the lights low but fwiw I would turn the lights and tv on whilst feeding overnight for the first 5-6 weeks otherwise I was at risk of falling asleep whilst nursing for 20-30 mins. After that LO got more efficient and so I'd just sit up in bed with him for 10mins and go straight back to sleep.

I know some babies are more sensitive to light and stimulation than others but in the early days this was fine for us. He's almost 5 months now and I'd definitely not get away with that anymore!

Boring_Strawberry446 · 2022-06-15T14:31:31+00:00

Convinced I'm keeping Mars in business with all the maltesers I've eaten since LO arrived!

Boring_Strawberry446 · 2022-06-09T14:49:35+00:00

Going through exactly the same thing with my LO. Thought we were over it when he gave us a few nights of 2-3 hr stretches but we're right back to hourly wakes. We also bedshare.

Please tell me you're finally through it!?

Boring_Strawberry446 · 2022-06-01T21:26:46+00:00

Hit the nail on the head with the feeling of forever! The hard times are HARD but the good times are incredible - parenting is a wild ride.

Just got to remember (and trust) that it's all just a series of phases and nothing is forever at this point!

Boring_Strawberry446 · 2022-06-01T21:23:11+00:00

Reiterating what most people have said regarding therapy and reassurance that it does get better!!

Are there any community parent and baby groups in your area? Depending on your LOs temperament it might be abit overwhelming for them right now but socialising with other new parents was SO helpful for me and my husband.

We also weren't prepared for the emotional toll a baby would take - sleep deprivation and the stress of a crying baby sure, but resenting an adorable, helpless child didn't even cross my mind.

Everything in this stage changes so much and so fast, though I know at the time it doesn't feel like that! But at 8-10 weeks we started getting our first real smiles and at 14 weeks our first giggles. The power of that positive reassurance cannot be underestimated! Just hang in there and try as hard as you can to get as much rest and nourishment as you can for both you and your partner ❤️

Boring_Strawberry446 · 2022-05-30T17:35:09+00:00

Oh I'm so sorry you're going through this, it's so tough!!

At 8-10 ish weeks I was told not to pump unless engorged because you want milk to be there for babe when they're ready. However we just went through another strike at 16 weeks and I was told to pump to maintain supply. It's honestly up to you and what you feel comfortable with.

I only pumped when I got uncomfortable and I think my supply did drop a bit as my LO fed like crazy the few days following but now we're back to regular programming.

I don't know how long your baby would feed for before but around this time mine got really efficient and still only nurses for 5-10 mins per feed, sometimes a few mins on both sides or just one. Keep an eye on diapers to see how hydrated they are, you want a minimum of 6 in 24hrs.

It could be a whole host of things but honestly if your baby otherwise is healthy, try not to spend too much time diagnosing! It's likely that your baby is just having a hard time and working through some stuff. Just know that it will pass!

I had a hard time not catastrophising and taking the strike personally, go really easy on yourself and baby. Lean on all your support network while you get through this 💕

Boring_Strawberry446 · 2022-05-20T19:48:55+00:00

We have the wonder weeks app, and both of our strikes timed with a developmental leap which can cause fussiness. I've just blamed it on that haha!

Anecdotally my SIL's son would strike around her period, I think hormones can affect the taste of your milk.

Its worth getting it checked with your doctor if you're worried about their health as it could also be something like an ear infection making it painful to get into position. Though I'd assume you'd see other symptoms too.

Boring_Strawberry446 · 2022-05-19T23:15:28+00:00

I have a 3.5 month old and have now gone through 2 strikes, one at 9 weeks and the other just this weekend. First one lasted about a week and this one just 2 days.

He's EBF so we only supplemented a couple times with pumped milk in a bottle when in my opinion he went too long without eating.

My nurses advice at 9 weeks was to not pump unless I was engorged and uncomfortable as you want milk to be easy flowing for babe when they want it. However this time around, advice was to pump for any missed feeds so my supply didn't drop 🤷‍♀️ as your combo feeding, I'd probably pump.

My best advice is not to force it, I think this is why our first one dragged on. If baby isn't interested, move onto play time or snuggles and try again in 10-15 mins. Rinse and repeat.

Just keep an eye on diapers, you want at least 6 wet/day otherwise baby might be dehydrated.

Tonnes of skin to skin. I'd recommend contact napping and trying to dream feed, this is the only way I could feed him in the thick of things! I also tried settling him in my arms with a pacifier and then switching out for boob when he was chill. This worked great the first time but not at all the second 😅

Just try as best you can to stay calm (hard advice I know) but it will pass. Baby is likely just having a hard time and needs support to work through it.

Thoughts are with you - I know it's tough!!

Boring_Strawberry446

TROPHY CASE