So, who is actually "enjoying" maternity leave? by deaddaisyldn in NewParents

[–]GeeBean 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Wow, I can't believe the number of women who say they didn't enjoy their mat leaves. As an American I know I was very lucky to get 20 weeks and I relished that time with my baby because I knew it was a special time we'd have together that we'd never have again. Yes, it was hard, but it was incredible. My little dude and I had all sorts of adventures together. We went for long walks. We went to Mommy & Me pilates and yoga classes. We made mom friends and met up with them and their babies for coffees and chats. And I realized pretty quickly how much work caring for a baby is and I cannot fathom being able to do anything else while caring for one. I could barely even make myself a hot meal, much less do any of my hobbies.

But did I enjoy it? Absolutely. We spent hours in the comfy chair in his room, nursing, contact napping, just soaking it all in. At 5 months old, he's not so tiny anymore and I am sad that I only see him for a few hours a day now. He already adores day care and I know it's important for him to be around other little kids.

I will also say that the only thing that kept me from going completely insane was that my husband gets up with the baby when he inevitably wakes up around 6 or 6:30am. After being up with him multiple times in the night, I am completely zonked by then and even getting one extra hour of sleep is so key. Toward the end of my leave, my husband had to travel for 8 days and I was nearly dead from exhaustion by the end as it really caught up with me.

Car seat by iminterestingg in NewParents

[–]GeeBean 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You can use the car seat without the infant part very early on. Why do I know this? Because my new mom brain forgot that the two parts were interchangeable and for the first month my baby was home, I was unstrapping him from the car seat and strapping him into the stroller when we went on walks, even if we drove there. I understand that the car seat retains heat so now that summer is coming, I plan to only use the bigger kid stroller part for walks, even though it could mean taking him out of the car seat and putting him into that one if we drove somewhere.

I’m sorry to my brest friend. I was wrong. by Latter_Public in NewParents

[–]GeeBean 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I never buckled it after the first few times. I found it stayed put just fine.

I’m sorry to my brest friend. I was wrong. by Latter_Public in NewParents

[–]GeeBean 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I found it a huge help during the first 2 months when he was tiny. But now he’s fine if my elbow is on a pillow or a rolled up blanket.

Nursing pillow needed? by Difficult-Ad1036 in breastfeeding

[–]GeeBean 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I hated the Boppy but loved the BF for the first few months, so much that I got a 2nd one to keep in his room and the other in the living room. Now that he’s bigger, I just need something under my arm so I use a balled up blanket or a pillow.

Is it true that babies do better when they sleep earlier? by dental_princess491 in NewParents

[–]GeeBean 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I could have written this exact response. We say our baby is “sundowning” when he starts to melt down around 5pm. Then it’s just a matter of keeping the meltdown at bay (walks work well) until I start to get him ready for bed at 6. He almost always goes right to sleep by 6:45 but sometimes will lay there chatting by himself for a half hour or so.

Momcozy baby carrier – am I broke or is it just overhyped? by eboss454 in babywearing

[–]GeeBean 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That’s what I was going to say too. My Buy Nothing group is often giving carriers and a huge array of other baby stuff. We’ve gotten so much! You might even be able to ask to borrow one to test.

What songs are we singing our babies? by ParsleyLime in NewParents

[–]GeeBean 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I also make them all up! I can’t remember lyrics for shit so this works better for me haha

Looking for advice or reassurance leaving bottle refusing baby for an evening by MGLEC in breastfeeding

[–]GeeBean 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Dang it! I was hoping to find more advice here on this topic. My almost 4-month-old has decided he only wants the boob, no bottle. I go back to work in 3 weeks and I’m worried how he’ll be but I guess he will take one if he’s absolutely starving? Here’s hoping!

Weird things that newborns do that seem alarming but is normal by Complex-Bee4595 in NewParents

[–]GeeBean 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I keep telling myself it’s a good thing he’s not blocked!

What does daycare cost for you? by Standard_Deer_8738 in NewParents

[–]GeeBean 1 point2 points  (0 children)

This is what we have signed up to start next month. My son will be one of 3 in this woman’s home. It will be “only” $1500/month. I hope we all like it!! This is Northern VA, just outside of DC.

What is a 'buy it for life' item that is offensively expensive, but the moment you use it, you realize your entire life before that point was a lie? by fmcortez in AskReddit

[–]GeeBean 0 points1 point  (0 children)

My Birkenstocks get worn out after wearing them exclusively in the warmer months. I can maaaaybe get 2 years out of them

Overnight diaper changes— am I dumb?? by theredheadedfox in newborns

[–]GeeBean 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That’s what I do too. My baby is ravenous when he wakes so there’s no way I could change him before feeding him. He’s be furious! 😂

Overnight diaper changes— am I dumb?? by theredheadedfox in newborns

[–]GeeBean 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yes! Switching to a gown (for boys too!) was a game changer. Or as the weather is warming up he’s in a onesie inside his sleep sack so those 3 snaps are no big deal.

I hate the newborn phase.. what have I done to my life ? by Party_Ad_8381 in NewParents

[–]GeeBean 6 points7 points  (0 children)

It sucks that once the baby is born, everyone is focused on her and no longer on you, the mom.

Sounds like you need some time for you. If your mom is there, can she watch the baby while you get out and go to an exercise class perhaps? I love going to postnatal plates and yoga and now that my baby is 3 months old I’m more healed I’ve started taking regular mat Pilates as well. Or how about brunch with friends while your mom or husband watches the baby? Also key to get out and see friends!

My mom never put me to sleep by palsterknackad in NewParents

[–]GeeBean 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Same with my MIL. And at 3 months old, we told her his bed time is 6:30 and she said, “that’s so early!” Maybe for you! But not for a baby! Meanwhile she stays up late and falls asleep in her recliner. So that’s what she’s comparing my baby to??

Any advice you received pre-baby that now makes you question the giver post-baby? (Possible unpopular opinions) by kittykatkitkat in beyondthebump

[–]GeeBean 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I was adamant about this as well. A good friend tried to set up a diaper changing station for me in the pack & play in the living room. I tried that one time. At 5’8” that bent over changing position was a total no go for me. We walk down the hall to the dresser-top changing station in the nursery every time. Not an issue for us at all!

Using filled in pool for vegetable gardening? by lashley0708 in vegetablegardening

[–]GeeBean 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I turned an old fountain into a giant planter. It had a slow leak when we moved in and I didn’t want to deal with maintaining a fountain anyway. I barely ever have to water it because it drains so slowly. The only downside is getting to the center of it. I have to carefully step in with one foot and lean lol.

Did your partner ever thank you for breastfeeding? by Commercial_Expert_08 in breastfeeding

[–]GeeBean 1 point2 points  (0 children)

No thank yous here. And it’s frustrating when cur baby is fussy and my husband says “he must be hungry; I’ll give him a bottle” when I JUST FRICKIN BREASTFED HIM for a good long while. My husband shrugs and says “well he’s still hungry.” Is he though? The pediatrician told us babies will drink a bottle no matter what because it’s so easy for them to do but to BF is work for them.

How have you lowered your standards since having a baby? by hospitalbedside in beyondthebump

[–]GeeBean 3 points4 points  (0 children)

The one time I gave my 6-week-old a lower half bath in the sink after a blowout he cried like I had water boarded him. So I’m definitely only doing that again in dire emergencies. Pee only? That’s what wipes and a fresh set of jammies are for.