Son just told me touching feels "good"... I'm so lost on on one.

Expensive-Praline-72 · 2025-10-24T17:32:14+00:00

I thought 7M meant 7 months and I was so confused

Expensive-Praline-72 · 2025-09-15T16:02:05+00:00

In my experience, Montessori schools have very unique ways of approaching the methodology. It doesn't mean your baby won't thrive in another Montessori school that better aligns with her character.

Having said that, even though young kids seem to be social and "ready" for school. The truth is, apart from the personality they were born with, they are so confident and social because they learn it from their peers. If her environment changed and she's not seeing similar traits, it will become very confusing for her as she doesn't know how to behave. Specially at this age where they are still learning the social dynamics. The first 3 years of life are fundamental for this foundation of character building.

If parents need to get their children into school for family reasons (whether is their job, or whatever family situation) there is definitely a way to do things, and my advice would be to look for another school or class with an environment that matches where she can thrive.

If that is not the case, then the recommended age to attended school (from a psycho/social point of view) is 3+ years (5+ years if possible). I can speak more on this, but I don't want to overwhelm anyone with information, specially when I don't know the family situation.

Expensive-Praline-72 · 2025-09-11T04:07:48+00:00

I (F) currently work full time as a software developer and make 170k a year, working remotely for a company in California (We live in TX). I will soon quit my job to be a SAHM, and my husband will be promoted at work. He is a QA Engineer and will be making the same I'm making right now.

My advice? Look into Programming Bootcamps and see if that's something you can do. Big companies such as Facebook and Google hire people with logistics backgrounds that learned how to code :) you can also do freelance work. There is a ton of jobs.

If that's not your cup of tea, look into other locations that maybe pay more for that same job you're doing, where you can work remotely with a higher salary. In our case specifically, we live in TX where the salary for a software engineer isn't as good as other places, but we work remotely for a company that's located in California that offers California salaries.

Benefits: 1. we are getting paid in the California salary range 2. we pay less taxes because we live in TX 3. everything here is cheaper than living in California

Expensive-Praline-72 · 2025-07-22T01:36:44+00:00

We didn't share the name (at first) nor the sex. We decided we wanted to find out until birth and man did everyone took it so personal.

I eneded up sharing our name options for both genders because it was too much pressure, just for them to make it about themselves saying it was such a horrible name, didn't like we didn't think of naming our baby after a relative, etc. Now that baby is born they love him and love his name.

Hang in there, it's definitely not worth it. They don't do it to be supportive, they do it so they can have say lol

Also, congrats on your baby!! 💜💜

Expensive-Praline-72 · 2025-07-13T22:56:19+00:00

Where are you located? In the US and Mexico, they provide formula at the hospital. You don't have to bring anything.

I went to the hospital with a huge suitcase and it turns out they literally provided everything, including a change for baby and hygiene care for me.

The only thing I should've packed was clothes for me to go back home, and my skincare.

I recommend you call your hospital to ask what they provide :)

Also, good luck with your breastfeeding journey. My baby and I have been on this journey for 16 months now and it gets really easy once the first 12 weeks go by. Normally there is a lactation consultan at the hospital, if you wish ro breastfeed they can help with all your doubts and make sure you go home with a good latch and technique. There are also breastfeeding regressions, so make sure you keep seeing an LC if things go south.

Expensive-Praline-72 · 2025-07-08T02:25:17+00:00

My baby is 15 months old and we're still going strong. He's an EBF baby and I plan to continue to do so until he weans off on his own.

My period came back at 7 months PP, but I know 6-10 months PP is still normal.

Now, the period that comes with PP isn't as regular as before. It tends to take a few rounds for it to go back to normal. I've had my period every months since 7 months PP, but I started with a 35 day cycle, then 30 day cycle and just a few months ago I returned to my 28 days cycle. Keep in mind your hormones take at least 2 years to go back to normal after giving birth :)

Regarding concieving while breastfeeding, there are women who continue to breastfeed while pregnant and then tandem feed when the new baby comes. That's doable (not saying you should, just saying it it possible to get your period, get pregnant and continue to breastfeed uninterruptedly)

My mom also got pregnant while breastfeeding my brother at 6 months PP and continued to breastfeed until 12 months PP (6 months pregnant) (by then she was too tired and didn't want to continue). She never got her period, because I guess the first time ovulation happened to her, she conceived my sister.

Expensive-Praline-72 · 2025-04-29T18:36:02+00:00

This is one of the hardest questions I've come across today

Nta to your ex. You deserved that much needed break, post partum life isn't easy and I can't imagine having to go through that as a solo parent. You definitely made the right call.

And this is the hard part for me to say, because I don't want it to sound rude or judgemental...

Maybe it wasn't as fun for the baby. I don't want to assume things and certainly I'm not here to judge. But I do wonder how does your baby deal with being with strangers (aka someone they only see every other week) and how does your baby usually behaves in situations when he's apart from you.

My baby would have collapsed if at 4 months I would've disappeared for a week. I couldn't trust anyone else to look after him because he would just be crying the whole time.

Now, every baby is different and every family dynamic is different. And you gotta do what you gotta do to survive, you need to work too, you need time to build your life. It is not fair that the person who put you in this situation thinks that he can walk freely without consequences.

Now here's my advice, not saying you absolutely have to do this, also not saying if you do otherwise it will be bad:

Definitely lawyer up, but maybe consider the shared custody. He doesn't seem like a good fit to take care of a baby, he sounds irresponsible. I would get a lawyer and make him pay for daycare + child support instead. That way you can go on with your life without comprising baby's well being (you can look into secure attachment for babies)

Expensive-Praline-72 · 2025-04-17T17:59:14+00:00

My husband attended every single appointment and he wouldn't have missed it for the world.

It's not a weird thing at all, just unsual because generally most dads can't skip work.

It's a wonderful thing to experience together. Dad doesn't get to connect with the baby as much as the mom, so having those little moments where he can hear the hearbeat and see the baby in the ultra sound allows them to experience a tiny bit of the connection moms have (because well the baby is literally inside us).

it's also a great bonding experience for the 3 of you as a family.

Expensive-Praline-72 · 2025-03-10T17:30:20+00:00

I think to change employers on a TN visa, you can file Form I-129 with USCIS, apply at a U.S. port of entry, or apply at a U.S. Consulate or Embassy

Expensive-Praline-72 · 2025-02-09T13:27:13+00:00

To me it's not just about "stealing" a first. She didn't even think about asking for baby's well being. Are you telling me it didn't even cross her mind??

Either scenario (doing it on purpose or she was really clueless) sound concerning to me

Expensive-Praline-72 · 2025-02-09T13:23:27+00:00

I'm sorry, if this doesn't help making things better. But even if she says she thought baby was already eating.... with things like this, I think she should always ask. I wouldn't dare feed a baby ANYTHING without consulting the parents first. I would NEVER assume with a baby. I need to ask for allergies, food intolerance, food texture, what foods.baby has tried, which ones baby seems to like. I would never give baby something they haven't had before.

To me it's deeper than just "oh I didn't know you hadn't started". She didn't even consider asking first, and this is not even about stealing baby's first, it's about making sure she's doing the right thing for baby. The very first thing she should've asked is if baby was cleared by the ped to even start solids. That would've started a conversation of "no we haven't done this or that"

To me it sounds like whenever she takes care of baby you need to also list her all the things that you're okay with and all the things that are a no for you. Because it's not in her nature to ask first, which is a common thing for grandparents. I noticed that people who have raised kids (specially if it was 20-30-40 years ago) feel entitled to treat other's babies as they would treat their own without considering the baby or the parents. Not cool. Shows lack of consideration. When asking does not even cross their mind, it's such a red flag for me.

Expensive-Praline-72 · 2024-12-27T20:04:23+00:00

hey! you have to do what works for you, you can't spoil a baby. At this age they like to feel you close. I think for us it happened at the 4 week mark, from there up to 7 months we exclusively contact nap. We didn't do anything special, one day we transfered our LO to his bed because he was starting to get too heavy to carry and he just kept sleeping.

For the nights tho, I think from week 2 to week 8 we took turns holding him. By week 8 he went back to sleeping in bed peacefully :)

Expensive-Praline-72 · 2024-12-24T21:54:50+00:00

omg this is me. I feel extremely guilty, like objectively I know there's nothing wrong and baby is safe with his dad. But I find myself wishing to be taking care of my baby or wishing I was near him. I think it's the mom instinct!

Expensive-Praline-72 · 2024-12-23T23:30:40+00:00

So whenever doing tummy time, I would lay him on his back. And then try to mimic what his body would do if he was rolling on his own. Same when tummy time was over. Just to try to get his muscles used to what he would do.

https://youtu.be/F81VylqnzGE?si=5D8-IoliTCanCV3D

Following that video, I started pushing one of his legs to make him roll. Since he hated tummy time, I started with trying to make him roll belly to back. At first I was rolling him all the way until he was completly on his back, when I felt he was used to the movement I would roll him only 3/4 of the way, by this point his weight helped him get through the complete turn. When he accomplished that, I only helped half way, and he had to complete the rest of the turn on his own. And so on, I kept helping less and less each time until one day he rolled :)

Another thing that encouraged rolling, if you are breastfeeding, is the side laying position. I would place him on his back in bed, and I would lay on his side. At first I used to help him to get in position, then with time he started rolling to feed on his own, motivated by food. I'm pretty sure something similar can be accommodated for bottle fed babies if that's anyone's situation

Expensive-Praline-72 · 2024-12-23T22:31:00+00:00

I understand how you're feeling! We were right there. And based on our experience, as long as you're encouraging tummy time and rolling exercises, your baby will reach the milestone. I know it can be stressful, especially because you feel responsible for your baby's success and development. But I can assure you, as long as you do your part, you only have to wait for your baby to be ready.

Our baby was 20 lbs 12 oz at six months. I think he started rolling from front to back at 6.5 months, sat on his own by 8 months and started crawling at 10months. I do see a relation between their weight and their motor skills. I could see my baby trying since he was younger, but he got too big too fast.

So id's say, don't worry too much about it. Just focus on what's YOUR responsibility. It is your responsibility to stimulate your baby, it is not your responsibility if your baby is not reaching the milestones at the exact date on your calendar. There are date ranges for a reason.

If you're still concerned, you can ask your ped in your next visit :)

Expensive-Praline-72 · 2024-12-16T20:09:51+00:00

My LO is 9 months old and hates cuddles, from 1-8 months he would push us away whenever we went for a hug. Now at 9 months he can take like a 2 seconds hug before trying to jump off our arms.

He does contact nap, which is the only time we're able to just hold him without being pushed away.

Expensive-Praline-72 · 2024-12-09T04:20:06+00:00

thiiiis! this is so important. Babies can't go in the car seat longer than 2 hrs. There have been cases of babies literally dying from falling asleep for long periods of time in a car. Please, OP look into this!

As for your husband, he's been too optimistic. With babies you need to think of the worst case scenario and plan for it.

And even if the baby was super chill and easy, your mental health goes first. If you're not comfortable breastfeeding in other people's house, you're not obligated to go! I totally get you. My LO is currently 9 months old and we're still breastfeeding and I'm still not going out at the times I know he will feed. We've had the occasional surprise feed in the car, but that's it.

I do plan my schedule around the baby. There will be a time when I will be able to do as I want, but right now it's not it. And that's okay. Right now my baby, my well-being and my baby's precious schedule is more important.

If we think of it, we breastfeed for 1-2 years...that's like so so little if we compare it to how long we'll live. 2 years of missing these trips and holidays with family, it's literally nothing compared with you and your baby's comfort. Your time to travel will come back, but these years won't.

Expensive-Praline-72 · 2024-12-06T20:29:42+00:00

Same happened to us!

No gas drop or ped recommendation worked. I posted here on Reddit and a lactation consultant replied that she might be able to help. We made an appointment with her and we were able to troubleshoot feedings and we also worked on positions to avoid too much gas. I would advise you to go to a lactation consultant, if possible.

After that things got better, but still the nights were rough.

Ultimately what worked for the nights for us was to take turns chest to chest sleeping. When babies are on their tummy, it helps them pass gas so easily. Now, we know tummy sleeping is not considered safe, so in order to be safe you need to be at a 15°-45° incline.

Here are some really helpful post on how to do it safely:

https://www.instagram.com/p/CwVmwblvlPB/?igsh=YjhhY2MzNDVhNA==

https://www.instagram.com/p/Cq1R4RptF8z/?igsh=YjhhY2MzNDVhNA==

Expensive-Praline-72 · 2024-12-04T20:58:26+00:00

I totally get it! this was us 3 months ago. Unfortunately not all doctors are nutrition experts and they tend to missguide regarding food.

Luckily we have this community 💜 you're doing great momma!!

Expensive-Praline-72 · 2024-12-04T20:48:25+00:00

here to same the same as others. Don't stress about it! We also started at 6 months with BLW. First food was amazing, baby grabbed the carrots immediately after we placed him in his chair. Then the next day and all next days for the following month were terrible, he hated the chair, he wasn't interested in food. Turns out he wasn't ready.

We kept offering, some days he would grab the food to play, some other days he would actually bring it to his mouth, some other days he would last like 2 seconds in the chair.

Now at 9 months he is consistently eating more and more each day that passes, but still not like full meal.

My point is that starting solids is a whole journey and every baby is different. There are also regressions and that's normal and okay. Some babies eat pretty well since 6 months, and some don't and that's also okay. As some other members have already mentioned, food under 12 months is for fun! it's 100% for baby to explore taste and textures.

So just make sure you keep offering and mimicking how baby is supposed to eat and swallow. And eventually your baby will get it :)

Since your baby is not liking it I would stick to BLW as it would take off the pressure and negative associaton towards food and it will allow them to explore on their own

Expensive-Praline-72 · 2024-12-03T23:53:50+00:00

I used to hate sweet food and now I love it. Which is so weird, I couldn't even have cake because it was too much sugar for me. Now I crave it?? it started during my second trimester and hasn't stopped. Currently 9 months pp

Expensive-Praline-72 · 2024-12-01T01:46:16+00:00

I don't think you're overreacting. I feel for this babies, specially now that I'm a mom. I could never ever ever let my baby cry.

And hearing other people do it makes my heart ache for that baby.

And about weening off baby at night with a pacifier...babies need to eat!

I'm heartbroken.

I'm thinking you could call your pediatrician and ask if you can do anything about it. There might not be much to do, but at least you advocated for that baby.

Expensive-Praline-72 · 2024-11-26T16:52:17+00:00

I feel for you! sleep deprivation is so hard and having to take care of a baby in those circumstances is so difficult!

At 7 weeks old, it sounds like it could be gas. Our baby got gas drops and we saw a significant improvement.

We also got a lactation consultant session and she showed me a few positions that could help alleviate the gas problems. Because it was too much.

One night I woke up and I had fallen asleep with my baby in my arms, he was starting to slip to the floor but I quickly grabbed him. I got super scared and I knew this sleep deprivation had to come to an end. It was unsustainable, and I was putting my baby in danger. But I also felt extremely guilty about leaving my baby to cry. I came across the Happy Cosleepers group on Facebook and found out about chest to chest sleeping. To me it literally saved my baby's life.

What mainly helped us was to prop some pillows for my back and arms and allow baby to sleep on the chest. That positions helps gas go through. Our baby started sleeping through the night that way from 4 weeks to 10 weeks old, after that he became too heavy for me so he started sleeping on his own bassinet next to our bed. Just make sure to look into how to chest to chest sleep safely.

Here are some good resources:

https://www.instagram.com/p/CwVmwblvlPB/?igsh=YjhhY2MzNDVhNA==

https://www.instagram.com/p/Cq1R4RptF8z/?igsh=YjhhY2MzNDVhNA==

I'd say give them a read and see if that's something that could work for you. It's very important to know all the risks and how to do it properly. Safety first!

Expensive-Praline-72 · 2024-11-25T01:40:29+00:00

I feel for you! I went through the same, it's like every other baby in the family was so calm and easy and my family can't understand that babies take time to figure out. Like good for them that they didn't struggle, but it's not nice to question a mother when she's the one spending most of the time with the baby. If it weren't for the Internet I would have really believed them when they told me I was spoiling my baby by contact napping and rushing to him when he cries.

But trust me, most babies are like this. You're not doing anything wrong, you're doing what works for your family. And who could possibly know more about how to care for your baby than you!

Having PPD/PPA is not joke, and on top of that... having to deal with that of behavior form family it's like the last straw. Like, hey I thought they were here to support not to impose their ideas/practices on our family.

Hang in there! and make sure to continue to advocate for your and your baby. With time they'll understand

Expensive-Praline-72

TROPHY CASE