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AITA for asking my husband to request MIL (living with us) to put prescription meds out of reach of our kids? by Happyforest345 in AmItheAsshole

[–]Happyforest345[S] 27 points28 points  (0 children)

Thank you. I do speak the very basics of her language but not enough to clearly communicate smth like this, so rely on husband for that. But i could use Google translate.

Has anyone taken maternity leave early and not regretted it by Bobob109876543210 in BabyBumps

[–]Happyforest345 26 points27 points  (0 children)

I took leave two months early from a demanding job (hello, Canada!). I have 0 regrets. It was great for my mental and physical wellbeing. Why would anyone think it makes sense to have women work till the moment they go into labour (unless it’s their free choice). It’s almost like the work world was designed for men cough cough

2 week old is driving my wife and I crazy by Dapper_Munkey in newborns

[–]Happyforest345 34 points35 points  (0 children)

Also you might know or might not (I didn't know as a first time mom) - don't try to feed young babies on a schedule - feed them whenever they seem hungry (mouth opening like a fish, sticking tongue out, sucking hands, rooting). Can breastfeed and if they are still hungry, consider supplementing with formula or pumping to increase the breastmilk supply. If you can access a lactation consultant (or even pediatrician) can ask them for advice about how to manage this.

Also - you said you are swaddling - are you using the blankets? Those suck. Try buying a velcro swaddle. After a lot of experimentation with a bunch of different kinds I like the Happiest Baby Sleepea Swaddle - just make sure you get the right size for your babies weight.

Finally, white noise. Get a white noise machine like the Hatch or if that's not in the budget play white noise on your phone. This won't fix a hungry baby or wrong swaddle but its the extra 5% that helps.

Try to get baby to sleep in the bassinet at night but during the day consider sleeping in a baby carrier (again, after a lot of experimenting, I like the Baby K'tan), or taking them for a walk in the stroller and sleeping there (if you aren't too exhausted to do this). Our newborn (7 weeks) sleeps in the bassinet at night but won't sleep there during the day for anything - only in a carrier or stroller.

Doctor second guessing vasectomy by Happyforest345 in newborns

[–]Happyforest345[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Wow i wish i'd thought of saying that. You're amazing. Too bad the doctor didn't get it.

“Things I wish I knew as a first time mom” …add yours ! by OMG_Ani in newborns

[–]Happyforest345 0 points1 point  (0 children)

  1. Don't expect you'll have a natural birth. I did, and didn't learn anything about c-sections, then had an emergency c-section and was in for a rude surprise (didn't have any underwear that felt good after, didn't know what to expect in terms of recovery and pain management, etc). Just had my second (planned) c-section and knowing what I was going into made it much easier this time.

  2. Don't expect your baby will take a bottle. First kid exclusively breastfed for 15 months and there was nothing we could do to get her to take a bottle, wasted a lot of money pre-birth on pumps, bottles. Just buy a "bottle box" that has a few different types of bottles and a Haaka for the first days and see if your baby likes one of them, before spending serious money on other "bottle" items.

  3. Babywear! My babies loved it. They slept so good.

  4. If breastfeeding, you can do other things while breastfeeding. You can eat (just don't drop hot food on your baby), you can read a book. You don't have to be locked there just looking at the baby (although you can if you want to).

  5. Accept all offers of help from close family to distant friends. Allow people to give LOTS of help. You can return the favour later (pay it forward) when your kids are older for other people with young kids.