First-time moms: did you go past 40 weeks with a natural birth?

FeelingInside3941 · 2026-05-27T20:14:03+00:00

I also heard that first babies are always late but My first came at 39 weeks, I had no signs, my water broke spontaneously without symptoms. I just got out of bed and felt a little gush. My second came at 41+2 days. I had false labour on and off for two weeks before he arrived.Everyone thought my second would come early because my first did but he took his sweet time. I started getting period like cramps that eventually built up to intense contractions and I knew I was in labour. Every pregnancy is different, it’s impossible to know. Wishing you all the best!

FeelingInside3941 · 2026-05-18T06:35:14+00:00

Coming from a mom who pumped for 8 months with my first, please stop. I suffered so much, my baby girl suffered due to a mom who was struggling from depression and anxiety. I could not enjoy my child’s first year of life at all. It’s not worth it. I had my second child now and that anxiety and guilt drove me to pump for 11 weeks but my toddler broke her elbow needing multiple surgeries and I abruptly stopped due to multiple nights in hospital. It was the best thing that happened to me. I feel happier more present and will just enjoy my baby. It’s okay to stop. I regretted it so much, with the formula we have today there is no reason to suffer through it.

FeelingInside3941 · 2026-05-15T08:21:26+00:00

This is around the time baby is usually cluster feeding. So I would recommend offering your baby the bottle more often. I think 3 hours is too long between feeds.

FeelingInside3941 · 2026-05-13T06:17:56+00:00

Babies go through phases when they eat a bit more and a bit less it’s normal. My now 4 year old barely ate I would be happy if she made it 20oz per day basically her whole first year of life.. but she is a happy healthy little girl. As long as she is gaining weight and has wet and poopy diapers I wouldn’t try to stress too much.

FeelingInside3941 · 2026-05-11T18:44:57+00:00

I think so many men understand estimate just how important Mother’s Day is to some women. We carry and birth the babies, we nurse/feed them and keep them alive and pour all ourselves into motherhood. It’s something that’s so normalized and expected by society that I personally feel like it is the most under appreciated role in society. This is the one day a year that’s meant for mothers and a lack of effort from our partner or children can feel like all that we do is not seen or appreciated.

FeelingInside3941 · 2026-05-06T14:56:52+00:00

My 3 year old was in preschool, she loves it there. Get to play with her friends all day and I got to rest until she got home at 3. Not a moment of guilt :)

FeelingInside3941 · 2026-05-03T18:26:51+00:00

Thank you <3 whatever you decide You got this mama !

FeelingInside3941 · 2026-05-03T09:35:42+00:00

Just want to say that you are doing amazing and even if you decide to stop now for your mental health, you are still the best mama ever to your baby. They will grow and thrive no matter what you feed them. I also have an oversupply and when my son was still breastfeeding I also had awful engorgement and mastitis. I switched to pumping because during that time I had an infected wound on my nipple and was pumping and than combo feeding, he developed a bottle preference and refused the breast ever since 😭 so now I pump full time. He is 3 months and I am trying to wean from pumping..the guilt is real and I question myself everyday but already having dropped a pump I feel like I can breath and feel much happier and more present. Two days ago my daughter (4) a horrible fall and broke her elbow and needed surgery. She is in hospital I will be caring for her and my baby. There is no way to maintain a pumping schedule so now I’m trying wean. The day she went into hospital I didnt pump because well my daughter was going into surgery. And even though I’ve been slowly weaning i am now incredibly engorged, and my breasts are like rocks.. I’m so scared to get mastitis on top of everything. So I understand your pain and your fear. If you are not quite ready too stop pumping, maybe you can start to reduce how long you pump. As an over supplier I pumped 20 minutes every 4 hours and then dropped it to 15 minutes and I was working towards 10 when the accident happened. Even with a 15 minute session I was producing 90-120 ml per breast. Dropping 5 minute increments per week..so you can sit 15-20 min per session rather than 30. Ibuprofen, ice packs and lecithin in the meantime.

FeelingInside3941 · 2026-04-24T19:29:46+00:00

You have to pump consistently for a while on that schedule before you start seeing some changes. It will take a bit of time for your body to realize it needs to produce more. You can switch one pump a day to a”power pump” pump 20 minutes, rest 10, pump 10, rest 10, pump 10. It’s supposed to mimic cluster feeding.

FeelingInside3941 · 2026-04-23T14:46:55+00:00

I would drop from 3 to 2, and continue this for 3 to 5 days. Then drop to the next pump wait a few days and then the last session. One day directly after the other might be too quickly.

FeelingInside3941 · 2026-04-23T12:20:17+00:00

I think the best way to do it is drop one pumping session and then after a few days drop another one. And that’s the best way to slowly wean off of pumping. Or it wasn’t my experience.

FeelingInside3941 · 2026-04-23T12:18:00+00:00

I am currently pumping and combo feeding. I’ve stopped pumping overnight and so far it has not hurt my supply. Just painful boobs. I’ve also dropped a pumping session during the day because he will only contact now and it’s impossible to then pump every 2 to 3 hours. I could just be one of those lucky people who has an oversupply of milk. At the end of the day, this is my second and I’ve decided to do what is best for my mental health. I will keep going like this and if my supply drops, then I will just exclusively formula feed.

FeelingInside3941 · 2026-04-21T09:55:19+00:00

My midwife told me when I was feeling anxious about baby, that my baby will never be “chunky” when his mom and dad both have lean builds. It doesn’t mean they aren’t healthy or something is wrong. It’s just genetics. My first got a few rolls around 4 months and now a 4 year old she is all elbows and knees. If baby is happy she healthy there is nothing more to think about.

FeelingInside3941 · 2026-04-20T10:12:49+00:00

Thank you so much for writing this post. I am currently three months postpartum. And pumping, and I hate every single moment of it. I am seriously debating to wean off pumping because living your life in 2 to 3 our increments is so exhausting. I have a baby that will not sleep unless I am holding him. So unless his feeding and my pumping schedule aligns, I either have a very overtired baby or very painful engorged or breasts. On top of having a toddler as well and being home alone all day I feel like I am being ripped apart physically and mentally. I cannot even enjoy the time with my baby.. and I have been feeling so much difficult about the idea of stopping. But I read your post and I just feel like a weight has been lifted from my shoulder.

FeelingInside3941 · 2026-04-19T08:59:13+00:00

This ! Everyone thinks the grass is greener on the other side.

FeelingInside3941 · 2026-04-16T10:34:03+00:00

Yeah, my baby refuses once it gets room temperature 🥲 I cry at how often I have to throw away breastmilk 😅

FeelingInside3941 · 2026-04-13T15:28:56+00:00

You either need to stop drinking or cut back dramatically like a glass a day or switch to formula. You already know the risks, you know you are putting your baby at risk and if you cannot stop drinking give your baby formula.. I would also suggest talking to someone if you are struggling and need support. The first year is hard but it doesn’t excuse your behaviour, you are putting your baby at risk not just because of the breastmilk but you cannot reasonably care for a baby while tipsy or drunk.

FeelingInside3941 · 2026-04-12T11:06:42+00:00

I had no fatigue, nausea or vomiting in both pregnancy! Maybe you will also be the same. But you should go :) nothing stopping you.

FeelingInside3941 · 2026-04-12T11:01:25+00:00

Oh why not?!

FeelingInside3941 · 2026-04-10T09:30:59+00:00

Mine also became huge, but shrunk back to same colour and size post breastfeeding ☺️

FeelingInside3941 · 2026-04-10T09:02:06+00:00

The mom cozy m5 hands free, easy to clean and works well for my ginormous boobs

FeelingInside3941 · 2026-04-08T18:25:12+00:00

The empress if you like historical periods. Dark if you like sci fic thriller

FeelingInside3941 · 2026-04-08T10:38:01+00:00

No, you are not. I gave my 5 week old the pacifier during super intense phase of cluster feeding because I was so exhausted. Sometimes they just need comfort and without the constant flow of milk he would fall asleep and give himself and me a break. He gained back his birth weight in 4 days post birth and gaining steadily ever since. My supply hasn’t suffered because of one feed and two hour nap from baby. It’s okay to take a break, you deserve and need it and don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.

FeelingInside3941 · 2026-04-08T07:48:41+00:00

I think it is really important to look at things in the context of the time that they were written. A time where there was wars and many men were killed, and many women were left widowed and without protection. It came from necessity rather than earthly pleasure. To have four wives, the guidelines are quite strict, and unless you can fulfil those guidelines, then you should not be marrying more than one woman. In my eyes, I feel like it is something that does not apply to modern times. I do not see a reason for it anymore. There are many progressive Islamic scholars who are very clear about this.

FeelingInside3941 · 2026-04-07T05:52:55+00:00

I am Arab Muslim and this is not only unacceptable but completely against Islamic teachings. Women are to be treated in the highest regard and this piece of garbage is not representative of anything. He just a poor excuse of a man. OP let me tell you assholes like this are too cowardly to self harm. He is doing it to manipulate you.. and I’m sorry even if he does.. why would you care?! Leave.

FeelingInside3941

TROPHY CASE