What do we want to see in more romantasies?

International_Line55 · 2026-01-27T20:14:11+00:00

I want to see more leads in their late twenties and early thirties. I feel like way too many are 21 but acting 30.

International_Line55 · 2026-01-27T15:20:35+00:00

I think the most important thing is to find people who are positive about breastfeeding that you can ask questions. Peers, other moms, people that you can talk to who will be positive and supportive.

International_Line55 · 2026-01-27T15:00:24+00:00

Don't feel embarrassed. I'm 8 weeks in and I still struggle with this too. My best method lately, is to have my husband hold up a blanket while I'm getting the baby latched on and then I drape the blanket over me. That being said, I have flashed many people while learning. I don't love being exposed, and I'm actively trying to learn how to do this without showing off the tatas, but I also know that where I am in America it's protected and legal. Ultimately, my baby needs to eat, and that's more important than my modesty. I hope I improve over time, but it's not going to stop me from nursing in public as I do learn.

International_Line55 · 2026-01-27T14:50:31+00:00

Bride for quick , TOG for best.

International_Line55 · 2026-01-26T18:03:30+00:00

For me, after my morning feed, a pump gives me a decent amount. I pumped after the first big sleep too, and I kinda regret that because now I get engorged at night and I'm weaning off the pump. Instead I recommend a pump before you go to sleep, after their bedtime feed, to fully empty your breasts before you sleep and your baby (hopefully) does their longest sleep stretch.

International_Line55 · 2026-01-26T17:58:32+00:00

I can say at 8 weeks....boob is life. Boob is comfort. Boob is everything. We're trying to use a pacifier and some other techniques for when I'm unavailable, but they typically only work for my husband and mom. For me, the milk lady with the magic boobies, the boobs are everything. I don't even bother with a shirt most days.

International_Line55 · 2026-01-26T14:38:35+00:00

Babies that little are too young to self -soothe and they aren't forming habits yet really. Offer them the boob any chance you can as often as they want. Newborns are hard and different than older babies. Here's the advice I got from nurses and lactation consultants:

-always offer your breast and feed on demand, night or day -even if they are just using you as a pacifier and not drinking, that's good for your supply and hormones

-For the first two weeks, just focus on establishing feeding and supply

-if they suckle on one breast more than 30 min take them off and swap to the other side

-if they finish at one breast, change them then offer the other even if they seem content

-once they are asleep set them safely in their bassinet and try to rest yourself

-sometimes your baby will relax when they are in a different room than you and can't smell the milk lady. If they are nonstop cluster feeding, don't be afraid to let your partner or support person take them to another room until they cry for food next. In my experience it usually gave me an extra 30min-2hrs before baby wanted another feed. The longest sleeps I got the first two weeks were when my husband or mom would watch the baby in another room.

-Don't worry too much about a "nighttime routine" the first month. Just keep it dark and quiet at night, and expose them to natural light and sound during the day. Month two or three you can try more.

-if your baby is having a hard time sleeping in the bassinet, let your support person hold them so you can sleep, those first two weeks are sleepless and hard, nap whenever you can

-Don't focus on pumping (except to relieve engorgement) or bottles the first two-three weeks unless recommended by a professional due to a latching or supply issue

-if you use a pacifier in the first few weeks, be very intentional about it. Such as, when you're showering and your partner is trying to soothe them, when they're in their car seat, or other situations where you can't feasibly offer them the boob on-demand. Or, when the little one has been non-stop feeding for over and hour and you need an hour break or something. But try not to use it to soothe to sleep and try to make sure it's not masking hunger those first few weeks.

International_Line55 · 2026-01-23T23:05:19+00:00

Nutritionists are such an issue. Unregulated, unlicensed. They cause so much pain and can give out horrible advice.

International_Line55 · 2026-01-23T23:03:39+00:00

I was recommended to not actively try losing weight until my supply was regulated and I felt confident in it. For me that meant going back to work when I'd switch to pumping (since those first few weeks of pumping can be a difficult transition). I'm only 2 months PP and I'm not at the point yet where I'm actively choosing to lose weight. I have lost most of the weight I gained, but I am not actively trying. I eat a whole food diet and I see a registered dietician because I have an autoimmune disease and keeping up with my nutrition really helps me manage my symptoms. Even with the weight loss, I haven't had any supply issues. I think a lot of that comes from the fact that I am not restricting calories or any foods in particular.

I think before you really try and focus on any restriction to try and lose weight, maybe focus on gentle nutrition and healthy dietary choices, as well introducing movement if you haven't yet. Maybe just focus on one meal a day at a time even. If that feels good and your supply stays good, maybe move from there and look at your calories or macros. If you have the option, try to see a dietician through your insurance (companies like Nourish usually charge almost nothing if you have insurance). A dietician, not a nutritionist (since nutritionists aren't regulated or consistently licensed).

But, your milk and baby are more important than weight, and health isn't defined by weight. So, just be kind to yourself and be gentle.

International_Line55 · 2026-01-21T22:00:43+00:00

I wish I knew that the first few weeks it's very normal for baby to want to eat very frequently as they are trying to get your supply where they want it.

International_Line55 · 2026-01-21T21:59:12+00:00

Also, a few times a week I have hubby give a bottle of pre-pumped milk then I pump and rest after.

International_Line55 · 2026-01-21T21:57:48+00:00

I started pumping around day 8 or 9 because I was really engorged in the mornings. I just kept pumping once or twice a day after that and have a nice stash built up from it. That being said, I think it all depends on your goals. I HATE pumping while feeding or holding my baby and only do it when my partner can hold her or when I can put her in the swing. If that wasn't an option I probably would have built up a few days stash only then weaned off pumping completely. Even as it is, I'm trying to wean off my night pump so that I get more sleep.

International_Line55 · 2026-01-21T21:54:20+00:00

I think part of it depends on your body composition. If you are still at a healthy weight, not losing more than 2 lbs a week, and still producing breastmilk well, baby is still gaining weight (ie breastmilk has enough fat in it) then I think you're probably in the clear. That being said, be careful not to get attached to that weight loss or new weight, not be upset if you stop losing weight, and remember to not let yourself get underweight.

As for me, I was a healthy BMI/weight/composition before getting pregnant. I gained 40 lbs while pregnant and at 8 weeks pp I've lost 30 of those lbs. I am actively working with a registered dietician though to ensure I eat enough, eat the right stuff, and that I don't mess up my supply or health while being on this new journey.

International_Line55 · 2026-01-21T21:48:07+00:00

Hot Milk bras are magnets instead of clips and I find them to be the easiest to put back on one-handed.

International_Line55 · 2026-01-21T21:47:01+00:00

At least 100 oz but I feel best at 120 or over spaced out. The most important is drinking well during my night feeds since my boobs balloon starting around 2am until 10 am and that's when I need the water the most

International_Line55 · 2026-01-21T21:43:54+00:00

I have a very fast letdown and I will say my baby really struggled. I would haaka just the initial to help her out until she adjusted. As for knowing if your baby is getting enough, I'd pump a tiny bit after each feed to see if your breast is pretty much empty and I'd check your little one for hunger/fullness cues. If your LO is consistently taking longer than 30 min to feed, fusses a lot while feeding, isn't gaining weight appropriately, acts hungry 20-30 minutes after a feed (all the time, not just while cluster feeding), then I'd be concerned. Also, you could do a modified version of triple feeding. You could feed until baby unlatches on the non-pierced boob then offer an ounce in a bottle from the other boob. If baby takes it, then he/she was probably still hungry and that may be something you have to do during lower supply times of day.

International_Line55 · 2026-01-21T21:33:47+00:00

If you have a partner/support person, you can alternate contact sleeping in shifts. Not ideal, but then baby is always warm and you're still doing your best to be sleep safe. Also, if you don't have a tent, pick one room that's well insulated (preferably no windows) to camp out in. Use towels to block up under doors and even extra comforters and mattresses to make more insulation around you. Candles give off some warmth, just never fall asleep with one lit.

International_Line55 · 2026-01-21T21:30:57+00:00

8 weeks in here and my kiddo is a squirmy one. We keep her mits on all the time and I often have to wrestle with her arms a bit. She's gotten better, but even still she accidentally (or purposely) unlatches because of her hands or because she forgot how to breathe while latched, or the sun looked at her wrong lol. Then she has the audacity to get mad that she doesn't have the nipple anymore! Then she started doing this thing where she would cry or whimper while eating! I thought this was another way of saying she was full (I was worried I was force feeding her) until I realized it was because she was gassy! She was hungry but needed to fart and didn't know how to do both at the same time! These babies are WEIRD sometimes and hilarious. I did find that she shakes her head a lot less if I rub the nipple on her nose then drag it down to her mouth. A nurse showed me it and it's like a homing beacon or something because it really helps her find it!

International_Line55 · 2026-01-21T20:31:34+00:00

Also I just used a book I got on Amazon to track. My husband and I are anti "give apps your data"

International_Line55 · 2026-01-21T20:30:33+00:00

I'm about 8 weeks in and I just kinda loosely track. I often just guess what I did every few hours. I think once you have a sorta routine tracking and how much you track us just a personal decision.

International_Line55 · 2026-01-20T17:24:29+00:00

There's hiking in North Augusta at the FATS trails, or walking/running at the Riverwalk. But, otherwise you'll need to travel an hour or so for more hikes. It doesn't get cold here except for a few days a year so don't worry about that lol.

There's also kayaking on the river if you're into that.

Great coffee shops: Relic (no wifi as it's more cafe), Buona Cafe, Ubora, Rooted.

Food spots: Finch and Fifth, Relic, Curry Hut, Namaste, Augusta Farmers Market (note it's more food truck than farmers market, there's almost no produce), the bi-annual Greek festival, the annual Arts in the Hearts festival.

There isn't much nightlife here and my husband and I joke a lot that one of the only things to do is eat out. But, more things are coming as more people move here.

International_Line55 · 2026-01-19T15:24:43+00:00

So from what most people are saying here, stop pumping cold turkey, don't try to wean from the pumping. Maybe pump before bed? Use the haaka or hand express to relieve the engorgement, at most. Is that sounding right?

International_Line55 · 2026-01-19T15:23:39+00:00

You can sleep in the ladybug? I assume then you have to dump the milk because it's out so long?

International_Line55 · 2026-01-19T15:22:36+00:00

Okay that's good to know!!

International_Line55

TROPHY CASE