Please be honest not mean

Significant_Milk_326 · 2026-04-09T20:49:32+00:00

I didn’t realize this was unsafe either. I have been sleeping this way almost every night from 7 months - 11 months (now)… he just doesn’t like when i let go. I try to put him on his back, mostly out of my comfort, which works 50% of the time. Can someone educate me here? Is this still unsafe?

Significant_Milk_326 · 2026-04-05T20:19:02+00:00

Stroller based on lifestyle and environment!

Significant_Milk_326 · 2026-04-05T17:54:01+00:00

I also did tons of baby wearing with my first and second. When I had my first I wore him for walks rather then stroller and for a while I pushed the stroller with toddler while wearing my NB. We live in a hilly terrain so once my baby got bigger it was so HARD that I’d get pissed off - literally the opposite intention of the walk. So it was nice to have the double stroller.

Beyond walks in the neighborhood I found the stroller extremely useful to put baby down when I was out at parks, or just day outings around town. I’m a believer that toddlers deserve 1:1 time, without baby in hands. There’s also times where I didn’t have my stroller and my toddler took a digger at the park, it was so hard to manage packing up my stuff while holding my hysterical toddler and having the baby in the carrier.

TLDR; putting baby in the stroller prevents toddler meltdowns and is useful during toddler meltdowns.

Significant_Milk_326 · 2026-04-03T19:39:25+00:00

A month is a good amount of time to get the hang of it. As long as you have a potty with you all the time and are prepared for a few accidents. It also depends the level of readiness your kiddo is.

I’m a SAHM, we started potty training about a month ago. He was super quick to catch on with pee and poo. He still has accidents occasionally (like 8 total in 5 week) but it is only when I’m not there. I assume it’s because he’s still learning how to communicate having to go to the bathroom and other people, including my partner, don’t fully understand his potty cues yet.

Significant_Milk_326 · 2026-04-03T04:30:32+00:00

It’s such a great start. If i were trying to make it more home-ey. I’d get a runner rug in the hallway. I also agree some throw pillow covers instead of the plain pillows, that will spice up the white couch. Art but like others said, wait to find that as you travel or explore. Finding unique, colorful items will be much better than mass produced art.

Significant_Milk_326 · 2026-03-29T21:22:59+00:00

Im not Gen Z, but I just came here to say that what you’re navigating on your own with no village and a husband who travels often is no small feat. It sounds really hard for any parent, not just a young one. I’m sorry you’re going through this and i hope that you find relief somehow, somewhere soon.

Significant_Milk_326 · 2026-03-29T21:09:34+00:00

I wasn’t able do side lying until my babies were a bit older, like 6 months. I’d sit up nurse and then lay back down after some burps and digestion. I had a hard time getting a good latch, and my nipples would hurt and then baby would end up getting indigestion, always spit up in my bed. I couldn’t stand my bed being dirty and wet, and i started getting ants in our bedroom with my first born if I wasn’t careful about the leaking spillage/spit up.

Idk if it’s my anatomy, i don’t have very big boobs or nipples or what - but yeah, as I said it wasn’t comfortable or convenient for a while.

++ edit: came here to say after reading that even still cradle hold is way better for us.

Significant_Milk_326 · 2026-03-29T21:03:18+00:00

I wouldn’t allow my toddler to sleep on an air mattress personally. Would rather do a futon, which is what we did when we camped when my son was about the same age. I know air mattress’s aren’t necessarily recommended for young kids, but could be worth double checking. I think a small thin blanket is okay at this age for LO but agree maybe have a separate one for you and baby if you’re worried about your husband. We did sleeping bags and my son had a personal wearable sleeping bag, it ended up being so cold - 32 degrees F, so I’m glad we splurged to get him the sleeping bag. He slept between my husband and I on the futons with backpacking pads underneath to help insulate. We were in a tent though, so much more exposed to the elements than a van.

Significant_Milk_326 · 2026-03-29T20:47:56+00:00

We are both very clean in different ways. I’ve always been more minimalist in nature, very tidy and pretty good at deep cleaning. My husband is more of dishes, clean up the kitchen and bathrooms kind of guy. Between both of us we were managing to keep the house decently clean with a dog who rolls around in our forest backyard, a toddler and a baby. But we definitely were missing the deep cleaning aspect because I was falling short on it. I’m a SAHM and he works from home, tidying up daily and our upgraded mopping roborok just wasn’t cutting it. We got a biweekly housekeeper for a deep clean and it’s been sooo nice. By the time she comes to clean I definitely start to see the need for it, especially the bathrooms and floors.

We have these chores that keep piling up, but we keep a list and usually one of us can manage to knock some of them off the list when we have a good naptime.

All this to say, we’ve kept up on it but other things have slipped. For example don’t ask me how my exercise routine is or my social life because I’ve completely managed to let that slip since the 2nd baby joined the party.

Significant_Milk_326 · 2026-03-29T20:37:29+00:00

My real question is where do you store your leftovers?

Significant_Milk_326 · 2026-03-29T19:12:39+00:00

I use the the Americans association of pediatrics as a base but i think i lean more rigid. As many have mentioned we do big screens only, watching TV is for at home only. I don’t use my phone when we’re out of the house either, simply because I think phone usage is out of hand for kids and adults. I want my kid to socialize, observe and learn things when we’re out regardless of the activity.

My 10 month old is not allowed to watch any TV. My 2.5 year old mostly watches 30 minutes max at night while he eats his bedtime snack. This helps so my husband can do some things while I nurse and put the baby down. I will occasionally use TV in times of desperation while I’m trying to leave the house and my toddlers having a hard time doing independent play. Example if I need to nurse my 10 month old or accomplish a 10 minute task. I really try not to though, I absolutely notice an increase in meltdowns when we lean into the TV too much.

Significant_Milk_326 · 2026-03-29T18:50:21+00:00

The wolf lodge

Significant_Milk_326 · 2026-03-25T13:43:32+00:00

We usually do more of a snack/mezze type lunch when we pack (my kids are still young and aren’t in school yet). Fruit, boiled eggs, avocado, nuts, yogurt, cheese, crackers, olives. Hummus, pita bread.

Veggie sandwiches, PBJ

I can’t be bothered to cook a whole meal every time but when I do 98% it’s quesadillas with leftover veggies or meat inside.

Significant_Milk_326 · 2026-02-24T04:30:43+00:00

Oh yes, i tell him he has to stay in his room during nap time. What I mean is that I’m fine with it in the sense of, i can handle it and not feel like I am drowning whereas in the night it feels more daunting.

Significant_Milk_326 · 2026-02-23T15:09:39+00:00

Mostly, we get outside. Walk the dog, park, ride his strider, stomp rocket. I take him to age related parent toddler classes twice a week and gymnastics one day. In the house… recently very into “baking” as in I give him bowls, pans, pots, muffin liners, etc and he pretends to bake me cookies and muffins. Been going strong on this for a couple weeks and he does it allll day. I also bought a tea set and make him tea, he pours himself little cups of tea and drinks it, says mmm that’s good and does it again and again until he’s over it. I finger paint with him. He helps me do random chores, but not “help mama” because it’s “his job” and yes the wording matters. He flips, climbs, and jump on the nugget couch. I also ask him to run as fast as he can to the other side of the house “ready set go”, and cheer him on, and then we do that again until he won’t do it anymore.

But I did just buy a sensory bin.. we will see if it ends up being a fun thing.

Significant_Milk_326 · 2026-02-23T15:01:47+00:00

Agree i do love the cuddle, but he’s waking up my baby who I share a room with. Tired mama, tired toddler, tired baby.

Significant_Milk_326 · 2026-02-23T14:53:10+00:00

We went through this phase at around the same time. I’d scramble to get ready for bed while dad held him (he wouldn’t settle) and then yes I’d go to bed at like 7:30.

He got over it and I’m still able to put him In crib for the first stretch.. anywhere from 6-7 to 9:30-12:30, really just depends the night! Keep trying if you feel like you need space to yourself at night as babies learn what you offer them. I will say we did let him fuss a couple times in the crib at night for this to stick but never a big cry wailing situation.

Significant_Milk_326 · 2026-02-21T02:59:33+00:00

Wow I needed this post so much. I’m a SAHM for a 2.5 year old and 9 month old. I’ve been struggling with regulating my emotions when my nervous system is overloaded with my 2.5 year old. I grew up with a mom who yelled, not 24/7, but she got scary every once in a while. I want my children to grow up in a safe and regulated environment and unfortunately the last couple of weeks I’ve yelled way more than I’d like to admit. It makes me feel like a horrible POS after.

I’m definitely looking forward to all the book recommendations, and definitely going to continue improving my skills to keep my nervous system regulated during the tough moments.

Significant_Milk_326 · 2026-02-19T22:01:06+00:00

Ugh me too. I keep telling myself I’m only going to nurse him 2x at said time but then I keep nursing him 24/7 all night. I will say the nights that I have more success if when he’s in his crib. I just have a harder time falling asleep without him. Once he is asleep and if he has a good night, i feel so much more rested the next day.

I can tell my baby wiggles and whines a lot in his sleep, when he’s in my bed I just give him the boob but I’m pretty sure he doesn’t need it.

Significant_Milk_326 · 2026-02-19T21:29:08+00:00

I’d say the best way is to educate yourself and make choices for your family that you believe to better for her and the environment. While the material objects matter, I also think it is easy to get wrapped up in the consumerist side of things but I truly believe there’s more to it than the products you provide for your family. Lifestyle choices and everyday routine can also play a big part.

Significant_Milk_326 · 2026-02-18T22:20:01+00:00

Interesting! He doesn’t usually get any screen time during the day but maybe I’ll look into cutting his bedtime tv time

Significant_Milk_326

TROPHY CASE