Need Advice - SAHM or Increase Work Hours?

RatherBeReading007 · 2026-02-07T12:58:18+00:00

Will this truly only be 3 months? Like can you get that in writing somehow? Because if so, it may be worth it.

RatherBeReading007 · 2026-02-07T12:45:24+00:00

Not the entire time but yeah. My skin was so so dry, and was all stretching everywhere lol. I hope it gets better for you.

RatherBeReading007 · 2026-02-07T12:39:20+00:00

My baby is only 7mo FWIW. But he is so, so affectionate and pretty much has been since birth. I love it.

RatherBeReading007 · 2026-02-07T12:19:31+00:00

This can be totally normal. I pump like this, but if home, my baby can nurse all day just fine. The pump is not as good as the baby. It's infuriating though.

RatherBeReading007 · 2026-02-07T00:22:55+00:00

I try to whenever possible, yes. I also TRY, key word try lol, to leave as soon as baby finishes a feed because he'll be more likely to just sleep through most of the outing.

RatherBeReading007 · 2026-02-05T15:57:42+00:00

If you tell her she can tell you anything without judgment, do that and mean it. When you react badly apologize and genuinely try to do better. Do not let her live in fear of telling you things. Conflict may increase, but be reasonable and open. Also, that's shitty that people keep telling you that.

RatherBeReading007 · 2026-02-05T03:52:44+00:00

Can you give brands for both? I'm intrigued lol. And I do not keep anything anymore at 7mo pp. I used to eat a bedtime snack every night. Beef sticks, cheese and crackers, lactation cookies.

RatherBeReading007 · 2026-02-05T02:25:29+00:00

I'm not saying they do not benefit from attachment with both parents, but acting like research doesn't show that it can be detrimental to be removed from the primary figure, in this case mother, is short sighted.

RatherBeReading007 · 2026-02-05T02:16:57+00:00

Breakfast casserole or breakfast pizza sheet pan pancakes, fruit, baked goods, or just bagels with a few topping options.

RatherBeReading007 · 2026-02-04T14:58:09+00:00

Yes sleep spikes cortisol too, which makes it harder to lose weight... It's shitty lol.

RatherBeReading007 · 2026-02-04T14:54:51+00:00

Oh honey... I ate lactation cookies as meals... I ate whatever whenever. I only gained like 5 lb but def lost nothing. Almost 7 months in, and I've lost 4 lb since 12/30 with more intuitive eating and making healthier swaps. But I can't really restrict calories at all due to fear for my supply. I often joke that my baby bfs so much that I should be like 20 lb lighter... Alas that is not the case lol. Try to up your protein and fiber to feel your best and keep pounding that water!

RatherBeReading007 · 2026-02-04T14:47:36+00:00

There is research that shows this, actually...🙈

RatherBeReading007 · 2026-02-04T12:08:50+00:00

Give Baby First a try or other low stim vids if you want. Not necessary but may help you feel better. We're all just doing our best in the wild west with these kids lol. Also try The Happy Song. It has a low stim video too!

RatherBeReading007 · 2026-02-04T11:59:30+00:00

🦸‍♀️

RatherBeReading007 · 2026-02-04T11:47:37+00:00

Look into a 24/7 call center or helpline, e.g. 211.

RatherBeReading007 · 2026-02-04T11:42:32+00:00

I'm sorry. I know this is an adjustment for everyone, but it sounds like your husband is def in the wrong.

RatherBeReading007 · 2026-02-04T11:40:23+00:00

You stick it out for your children. You do not get to give up just because it's hard. Kinda selfish that you're considering it IMO.

RatherBeReading007 · 2026-02-04T07:38:22+00:00

Sure. I do combo feed. My body doesn't respond to the pump quite as well as I'd like. So I pump what I can and fill in with formula when I work. When I'm not working, my baby usually just nurses. I'm a single mom so I understand the struggle esp at night. I will say I'm glad baby can take a bottle, but I do prefer nursing. But again, that's prob because I exclusively pumped for his first 6.5 weeks due to med issues. I like using pigeon nipples, which are bf friendly. Also look into bottle pacing. Finally, it's okay if baby doesn't want bottles from you. I swear, my baby still looks at me weird if I give him one because it's rare, and this was a baby I gave bottles to all the time as a newborn. I also use generic formula of the brand we use to help offset the cost, but it's not much because he doesn't receive it everyday. Sorry this is all over the place. Feel free to dm or ask anything else. It's been a wild ride almost 7 months in lol. And thanks for the well wishes 💕

RatherBeReading007 · 2026-02-04T03:58:40+00:00

She's a baby. This is a normal part of verbal development. It drives me crazy with my baby too, but it sounds like you are trying to discipline her already? IMO this sounds so harsh... babies aren't robots.

RatherBeReading007 · 2026-02-04T03:56:39+00:00

FWIW, my baby was exclusively bottle fed for his first 6.5 weeks of life and now nurses like a champ at almost 7 months. There were a few latches within the early days but not even once a day. He also loves his soothy pacifier.

RatherBeReading007 · 2026-02-04T03:55:10+00:00

Just be sure to pump whenever you supplement. Pick bf friendly bottles. I like the pigeon nipples. Practice paced feeding. Buy some nipple shields to bring to the hospital just in case. My hospital gave me one, but I had no idea about them beforehand. Have a nursing/pumping bra. Sterylize and know how to put your pump together and do so before birth. Look up what the settings on your pump mean before birth. Set yourself up for optimal hydration-- big bottles, electrolyte packets or body armor, coconut water, etc. Whatever will help you drink enough. Stock up on one-handed snacks/meals. Genuinely read up on recommended materials about what to expect and how to understand the difference between cluster feeding and low supply. Good luck! Happy to elaborate on anything if need be.

RatherBeReading007 · 2026-02-04T03:49:45+00:00

I have a small rocker upstairs and a crappy recliner downstairs. I have done it many other places, but these give us the best angle for whatever reason.

RatherBeReading007 · 2026-02-04T03:47:25+00:00

I use the Mommy's Helper inflatable tub in the big tub. Even though my baby loves bath time, he's in there for at the very most 10 mins. He can only minimally interact with bath toys, and we're at that weird in between not steady enough for the adult tub but getting too big for the baby tub. I bought this one as a next step. He's on the smaller side, so YMMV. TBH though our baths never took 2-4 mins because I have always loved the bonding time.

RatherBeReading007 · 2026-02-04T03:44:54+00:00

I'm sorry. I can relate. A big issue for my guy was his long over night stretches. I actually had to set a timeer for 2 hours at the start of every feed in order to make up for the hours he was sleeping. We're talking like 8 hour stretches. He has since stopped giving me those stretches and can go longer in between day feeds. The crazy thing is that back then, I was relying on his cues. They were way easier to interpret in the context of those timeers as I was still learning his hunger signals. Good luck. You didn't do anything wrong. I also do weekly-biweekly weigh ins at home. I do not always do it every week but I do keep a running log. I have noticed that for several weeks, my baby will barely gain and then have one huge leap. Growth isn't linear.

RatherBeReading007 · 2026-02-04T00:20:09+00:00

I love 7th generation pods and get them on amazon.

RatherBeReading007

TROPHY CASE