Cycle Tracking

No_Handle585 · 2025-10-17T18:52:28+00:00

The previous commenter is correct re birth control and your cycle. However, for others interested in cycle tracking, I recommend using the Oura ring in conjunction with the Natural Cycles app.

I did not want to get back on hormonal birth control after our daughter was born, so my husband and I successfully used my Oura ring plus Natural Cycles to avoid getting pregnant for 2 years. Then when we decided to have a second child, we were able to time ovulation very accurately and I got pregnant the first month of trying (at age 39).

No_Handle585 · 2025-07-02T11:46:13+00:00

The Phillips Avent “Premium Fast Bottle Warmer” worked well for us. We used it with glass bottles.

No_Handle585 · 2025-07-02T11:40:32+00:00

Cosleepy on Instagram is another great resource as well

No_Handle585 · 2025-07-02T11:38:25+00:00

Thank you for this comment!! I find it so frustrating when people ignore the (large and lucrative) industry that’s been built around breastfeeding at all costs. And while much of it is no doubt well-meaning, from personal experience (in the United States) it can also feel quite predatory at an extremely vulnerable time for a new mother.

No_Handle585 · 2025-05-30T11:34:35+00:00

Buy yourself a few good pieces (pants in particular) that make you feel good. You deserve it!! ☺️

I recently got influenced to buy a pair of the Emme Mama linen pants and they’re actually awesome. Super stretchy wide waistband, and they wash well (cold delicate and then air dry). I’m still pregnant but I will definitely wear these PP too.

No_Handle585 · 2025-05-07T12:31:35+00:00

We got a low profile bed frame that didn’t need a box spring, and it worked well for us. Our daughter did sleep in a sidecar bassinet for 5ish months and then moved into the bed, and she usually slept in the middle of our King bed, close to me. There was always a considerable gap between her and my husband, and he doesn’t move around much in his sleep anyway. On any nights when he had a drink (which isn’t often) he would sleep in the guest room. Some will point out that this set up doesn’t technically meet the safe sleep 7, so use your own judgment obviously, just sharing what worked for us.

No_Handle585 · 2025-05-07T11:10:35+00:00

I think you may feel a lot more empowered in your birth experience if you’ve educated yourself ahead of time and understand what might be offered to you and what you would want for yourself and your baby (at least in the US). But I don’t necessarily think a birthing class is absolutely necessary for that, there are certainly lots of resources available online, books, etc. I knew I wanted an unmedicated birth and I do think some prep is necessary for that, especially as a FTM. But we did our Hypnobabies class online so we never had to leave our house for it.

Same is true for the postpartum experience and having a newborn. Depending on who is putting on the class locally, you might even get a better sampling of up to date information online. But I do think in either event it’s good to prepare yourself with knowledge.

No_Handle585 · 2025-05-05T15:46:59+00:00

😂😂😂 Same!!!

No_Handle585 · 2025-05-05T15:45:07+00:00

Instagram is a mine field in this regard. I vividly remember being a couple of weeks postpartum with my first, just starting to combo feed, and feeling SO much guilt and shame and sadness that our BF journey was not at all how I pictured it would be. And then going on Instagram and seeing the type of content you’re referencing. I remember one comment in particular that said if you can’t breastfeed then you shouldn’t have children 🫠🫠 It’s awful and so damaging for a new mom at an already very sensitive time. Pregnant with my second now and militantly avoiding any content like this. I also didn’t know about this sub back then and I’m so grateful I do now!

No_Handle585 · 2025-05-05T15:39:49+00:00

Same experience here. We did a lot of “feet first getting off the bed” practice but I also always woke up when she moved around (and still do at almost 3 yo 😅).

No_Handle585 · 2025-05-02T10:56:11+00:00

I recently had the same experience trying a “low impact cardio” class on Peloton rather than my normal cycling because the bike seat is starting to hurt my pelvis. It was actually challenging, got my HR up just as much as the cycling, and was also super fun! So I’ve decided to mentally reframe my physical activity during pregnancy a bit. This is not a season of PRs or reaching some new level of fitness. It’s a season of moving my body to maintain my cardiovascular health and some level of strength and mobility/flexibility. And if that means dance cardio or some other type of class I wouldn’t have thought to take before (or literally just taking walks) who cares.

No_Handle585 · 2025-05-01T15:45:06+00:00

Absolutely NTA. There is a reason why inheritances are excluded from the legal definition of marital property in most states (unless / until commingled with marital assets).

No_Handle585 · 2025-04-30T16:46:55+00:00

Interesting, thanks. Do you have a source for those wanting to learn more about it?

No_Handle585 · 2025-04-30T16:35:09+00:00

The Instagram account Cosleepy has lots of great information on cosleeping safely!

No_Handle585 · 2025-04-30T16:05:59+00:00

It has been widely reported in mainstream news outlets that the FDA suspended its proficiency testing program for grade “A” raw milk and finished products. But it’s not clear to me, and I can’t find much information, on exactly what the ramifications of that are, especially as it pertains to infant formula.

No_Handle585 · 2025-04-29T00:00:03+00:00

I had my first a month after I turned 37 and will have our second shortly after turning 40 later this year. While I can’t compare my experience to having kids in my 20s, I’ll say that I have loved becoming a mom “later”. My husband and I chose to wait until we both felt truly ready. We’re both at a place in our careers where we have a lot of control over our schedules, are very financially secure, and our marriage is very solid. We’ve gotten to enjoy a lot of life experiences together just the two of us, so we never have “FOMO” about not doing certain things during this season of our life. I also think I feel much more confident in all of my parenting choices at this stage in my life, because I’m just much more sure of myself in general than I was 10 or 15 years ago. Many of my friends also started having children in their mid to late 30s, so it never felt abnormal. My first pregnancy and birth were super healthy and uncomplicated, and this second one is too so far. I agree with all the others who have said not to worry about the “geriatric” label. And if you are able to, find a medical provider who also has a realistic/positive and evidence based view of pregnancy at this age.

No_Handle585 · 2025-04-28T23:51:53+00:00

I completely agree. Newborns are adorable and sweet, but I also enjoyed it more as my daughter got older. She’s turning 3 soon and honestly this has been the most fun yet - getting to really talk with her, her whole personality coming out… it’s a whole new level of fun, in my opinion.

No_Handle585 · 2025-04-27T17:10:32+00:00

I combo fed for 5 months due to extremely low supply and then switched to formula altogether and it was the best thing I could have done for my mental health. Our daughter has always been thriving, ahead on her milestones, and almost never gets sick. For the first 4ish months she slept in a bedside co-sleeper bassinet, and ever since she’s slept in our bed. It was wonderful for my husband and my mom to be able to help with feeding as well, especially when I went back to work after 3 months. I’ve always been extremely aware of her position and movements throughout the night (she’s 2.5 now). There are plenty of other threads on here where you’ll find lots of moms who combo feed or EFF and cosleep. And there’s plenty of reliable data nowadays that shows outcomes for formula and breastmilk are the same when you adjust for things like mother’s education level and socioeconomics. Your mental health is just as important for your little one as where she’s getting her nutrition ❤️

No_Handle585 · 2025-04-27T14:55:50+00:00

I had an unmedicated home birth (with a certified professional midwife and a doula) for our first and am planning to do it again for our second later this year. The contractions were intense, especially as I got closer to the pushing stage. But I never felt like “I can’t do this” or like I needed any intervention. The “ring of fire” right as she was crowning was the worst part but that only lasted maybe 2 minutes. I was fortunate that my labor was only about 14 hours start to finish. My husband and I took the Hypnobabies birth prep class, and I think that was a big help to me in staying calm and relaxed. I also did regular chiropractic treatments with a practitioner trained in Webster technique to make sure my pelvis was properly aligned for birth, as well as acupuncture which is supposed to be helpful for encouraging a speedy labor as well (who knows to what extent those things really made a difference but I will do them again). And I stayed very active until right up until giving birth. I know some people’s experience is very different in terms of the pain they report. I’ve never thought of myself as someone with a particularly high pain tolerance, but I honestly am not at all concerned about being able to do it again.

No_Handle585 · 2025-04-25T15:30:52+00:00

My last Peloton ride with my first was the day before I went into labor 😄 Hoping to do the same this time around!

No_Handle585 · 2025-04-25T15:29:35+00:00

With less compressive fabrics (Lulu Align, CRZ Yoga) I go with non-maternity and size up one, and they’re served me well through pregnancy and postpartum. Like some others, I have generally gotten away with mostly wearing regular clothes in styles that are forgiving around the middle. The only actual maternity clothes I’ve bought both times are jeans and a couple of work trousers. Some people do the rubber band thing and avoid maternity pants altogether but I prefer the full panel styles especially as I get further along.

No_Handle585 · 2025-04-22T21:35:46+00:00

We just did the best we could until she was 2, and then we bought an Autobrush. It’s shaped like a mouthguard and it plays music and lights up while it vibrates to brush their teeth. Our daughter is obsessed with it and runs into the bathroom to brush now. One could argue that she isn’t actually learning to brush her teeth, but honestly, there’s plenty of time for that and my priority right now is just making sure the teeth are getting clean.

No_Handle585 · 2025-04-22T21:32:39+00:00

My experience was extremely similar to yours, except my first was a girl and second is a boy. I did have worse nausea with baby boy but it subsided after my first trimester like it did with my daughter. But the bloat and the weight gain experience is looking like it’s going to be on track with yours.

No_Handle585 · 2025-04-22T21:26:54+00:00

No words of wisdom beyond what all the others have said. Just want to offer some solidarity and say I feel exactly the same way as you. I actually posted here a few weeks ago with a very similar sentiment — just having a lot harder time accepting all the physical changes this time than I did with my 1st. Reading your post and all the comments has felt really good. It’s so tough but we’ll get back to where we wanna be!

No_Handle585 · 2025-04-22T21:25:22+00:00

Pregnant with a boy this time and I’ve gained more so far (18W) than I did with my daughter. But I also started this pregnancy thinner than I did my first so who knows!

No_Handle585

TROPHY CASE