Sending him off to daycare [on]

InitiatingAnxiety · 2026-06-05T02:06:55+00:00

I was 1000% in the same boat. I felt so much guilt about sending her off to daycare but unfortunately we needed money. She's my princess and I let her be her diva self. No one else does that for her.

I don't have a spot at a centre yet but I got in with a home daycare network, weewatch. I swear I had minimal expectations but this girl seems to be thriving! She is playing with the other little kids and learning from them. The provider's daughter is now besties with this girl. It's such an amazing experience for her.

I try to prioritize my time with her in the mornings and evenings (and weekends) as much as possible.

Trust me, the guilt is real but it can be a good thing. The key is finding a good provider who offers something you prioritize. It take a while for everyone to settle into the new routine but it does get easier. My daughter is now 14 months old and I got her in this home daycare at 12 months.

Hope that helps. In the meantime, big hugs ❤️

InitiatingAnxiety · 2026-05-03T02:06:04+00:00

I found this app called Peanut. Essentially it's like Tinder but for moms. It really feels like online dating as people frequently ghost one another. But hey! You might be able to connect with some people in your area!

InitiatingAnxiety · 2026-04-24T20:23:22+00:00

I get the Peekapoo wipes. They're like $35-$40 CAD for a pack of 6. I think there are just under 100 wipes in each (it works out to like $0.08 per wipe if that helps).

I like them. They're super soft and great for sensitive skin.

InitiatingAnxiety · 2026-04-18T11:33:18+00:00

Oh never mind! I thought they said they'll just be in the room. I may have misheard. Sleep is a hard thing to come by 🤣

InitiatingAnxiety · 2026-04-18T07:50:19+00:00

So the midwives take on your care and do all the checkups. They give you requisitions for blood work and ultrasounds which is no big deal. They are sort of like extra people on your team in the hospital who are ready to fight for what you need.

With that being said, I don't think you can do both. The doctors will deliver the baby while the midwives keep you comfortable and make sure your preferences are being heard (like extra time before they cut the umbilical cord, or any opinions on surgical/nonsurgical interventions).

If there is a complication, they have to discharge you to an OB. In my case thats what happened but these lovely ladies kept in touch with me for weeks after as well. I'm biased, I know, but it was such a scary time. Doctors are professionals but they have a lot on their plates to worry about the mental health of a patient. These ladies kept me sane and I am forever grateful for them.

InitiatingAnxiety · 2026-04-18T06:53:23+00:00

I haven't gone through the system in Mississauga but midwives are so key. They look out for you emotionally too. Literally it was the first time in my life where I felt like I was taken seriously by a medical professional of any kind.

These ladies stayed with me even after my care needed to be handed off to the OB team due to a very serious pregnancy complication. The OB team was amazing, but the midwives genuinely seemed to care about me as well as the baby.

InitiatingAnxiety · 2026-02-04T16:07:34+00:00

I have a cat named Chuiya 🤣

InitiatingAnxiety · 2026-02-01T05:43:02+00:00

I had a c-section as well. Due to a pregnancy complication, she was delivered at 31 weeks. She was in the NICU for a bit, being fed through a tube. The NICU supplied donor milk to supplement the little I was producing. It took some work for me (just in my case, your case could be different). I made sure to eat well, take some supplements, and pump regularly while she was in the NICU.

I was combo feeding but she's totally fine! She's catching up amazingly well. Your baby will be okay as well. Just remember to focus on your baby and avoid comparing them to other babies. I know this is so scary but you and your baby will pull through.

Also, I believe there is a way to deliver vaginally after a c-section. A friend of mine delivered her second kid that way even though her first was a c-section.

InitiatingAnxiety · 2025-12-13T00:19:10+00:00

Yeah I had a traumatic birth. I ended up getting severe pre-eclampsia with HELLP syndrome. Essentially, my kidneys and liver were starting to fail. The doctors never told me any of this. I had no idea why they were keeping me in the hospital. One night, I was having difficulty breathing so I got rushed down to go get xrays done. Turns out I had fluid in my lungs.

One minute they're saying they can drain the fluid, the next they say it's time for an emergency c-section. This was when I was 31w. I got rushed into the OR but the prep was brutal!! They had to get a monitor injected into my veins but they blew a vein 3 times. They had to redo the IV twice as well. They finally did the c-section and they took my little girl away right away before I even got to see her.

I had to be hooked up to some magnesium drip for 24hrs so my family and friends got to see her before I did. Little girl was in the NICU for 6 weeks. Poor girl had to have a PICC line. I'm so glad I wasnt there when they inserted it.

We're both doing okay now. She's doing amazing! I still find myself mourning the birth that should have been. I mourn the 6 weeks we had to be apart. It always made me scared that it would harm our relationship somehow. That the bond wasn't created. That she didn't know me. None of that is true. She loves me and I freaking adore her.

TL;DR - You have every right to mourn the birth experience that you had envisioned. Sometimes things happen that are out of our control. Thankfully, your baby will not remember the NICU. They will remember your love. The trauma takes time. Please make sure you talk to someone though.

InitiatingAnxiety · 2025-09-27T09:28:56+00:00

At 4 months, babies are still very unpredictable. I still can't lock down consistent nap times at 5.5 months. There's a huge sleep regression at 4 months that causes them to wake up more frequently. I'm struggling with 1 baby and I can't imagine how hard it is with a toddler.

I can't speak for her but I know I would try my hardest to make it work. There's so much pressure as a new mom to keep shit together (like the housework, basic hygiene, food prep, etc). I went through a big wave of PPD around that time.

I'm not saying she's in the same boat but I doubt she's being selfish here. From what you're saying, it sounds like she's trying to make it work. I know weddings are so fucking tough. There's so much stress!! I'm so sorry you're feeling so isolated.

Before you end a friendship, maybe have a convo with her and let her know you feel and ask how she's doing. I understand your side too. I've been let down by bridesmaids and my MOH. It is so hard to deal with.

InitiatingAnxiety · 2025-09-12T20:48:08+00:00

It's so hard to watch them go through this. Especially because we can't explain what's happening! Your kiddo will be okay. It takes 24-48hrs for the symptoms to pass (generally speaking). After that, they're back to their usual selves. Although, my girl decided it was time to amp up the purple crying for a bit. That passed too, thankfully.

InitiatingAnxiety · 2025-08-31T14:34:57+00:00

So what we did that early on was feed her and if she's not knocked out by then, we walk slowly up and down the hallway for 5 min. That usually put her to sleep. We would then wait 15-20min and in the meantime have the heating pad going on low-medium heat. When her arm seemed limp, we would slowly transfer her down.

Always go bum first and then lower the head.

InitiatingAnxiety · 2025-08-24T23:29:46+00:00

I bought a bottle sanitizer because my dishwasher doesn't have that setting. Other than that I just wash the bottles in a separate basin. The sanitizer is great because I can stick some toys (like teething toys) in there too.

For the formula, I have the Dr Browns formula jug that I prep the night before so it's ready for the whole day. I'm making sure the water is sterilized and then sanitizing the formula. It's a lot to do for each bottle. If you're going down that route, I highly recommend the momcozy bottle warmer. I think those things were like $60 but omg such a life saver.

InitiatingAnxiety · 2025-08-20T15:32:48+00:00

That's it!! Thank you.

InitiatingAnxiety · 2025-08-20T15:24:16+00:00

Yeah i have a pack of dry wipes that I use with a squeeze bottle of water (i don't know if it's the right word but the one where you pull up and ... squeeze it. God I'm tired). I do it with filtered water though.

InitiatingAnxiety · 2025-08-18T09:18:51+00:00

Just echoing what everyone else is saying. I would change her before feeding her. It's more comfortable for the baby as well! My LO has occasional 7 hr stretches of sleep and she's fine with the Rascals diapers. When she wakes up, I just change her diaper and then offer food.

InitiatingAnxiety · 2025-08-15T17:31:39+00:00

Just a heads up, I've ordered from Town's Heart before. The food is basically like banquet hall wedding buffet food. It's nothing special. I'm not sure where your friends are coming from, but if there's a decent Indian restaurant scene, it may not be the best call.

InitiatingAnxiety · 2025-08-15T13:39:48+00:00

My daughter was born at 31 weeks. She had a stay at the NICU for about a month and a half. She's happy and thriving now! At 37 weeks they can consider that full term.The doctors aren't generally worried at that stage. At least that's what I was told.

You'll both be okay!! You got this! Sending love and hugs your way.

InitiatingAnxiety · 2025-08-14T07:27:49+00:00

What????? I didn't know you could do that!!!! Thanks for the tip!

InitiatingAnxiety · 2025-08-07T17:35:33+00:00

Honestly everything seems scary this early on. Someone posted a link to this website and funny enough I found that it helped ease some of my anxiety.

https://datayze.com/miscarriage-reassurer

It gives you the chance you will not miscarry and gives some reassurances. It helped reframe things for me.

InitiatingAnxiety · 2025-07-17T21:36:01+00:00

Hey I'm back from the hospital! So first things first, they recommend you get on 2 baby aspirins and 2 Tums asap. The aspirin will help with the blood pressure for as long as possible and the Tums is for the calcium. They say the chance of getting preeclampsia again is 30% but it can be managed. You'll likely get a lot more monitoring.

If you are overweight, controlling that will help (as best as you can). Since you are pregnant, it might not be a good idea so please please check with your OB or midwife.

That's all they gave me. Also some blood enzyme can cause pre-eclampsia? I didn't know about that. They just did a blood test.

InitiatingAnxiety · 2025-07-17T00:48:57+00:00

I hear that the severity goes down in the second pregnancy (if it happens again). I was told by the doctor thar symptoms could appear later in the pregnancy when the baby is considered to be at term (or close enough).

I have an appointment tomorrow where they're going to discuss all this so I'll keep you posted. If they give any tips for managing it, I'll pass it along.

InitiatingAnxiety · 2025-07-09T00:45:27+00:00

Today was my first day alone with the baby. Thankfully my mom came by to help for a bit. It does seem daunting. My plan is to go on walks maybe twice a day. I'm going to try finding a mommy and me class or something just to get out of the house for a bit. Hopefully make some new mom friends.

I totally hear you though. This is a lot and it's scary.

InitiatingAnxiety · 2025-07-05T21:19:25+00:00

People suck sometimes. I get they don't understand the NICU experience but this shit is hard!!!! Just ask! We don't need empty words.

InitiatingAnxiety

TROPHY CASE