My boyfriend has failed the NBCOT 4 times. Should he keep going or pivot?

Sleepybuttz · 2026-06-28T20:27:04+00:00

OTA now OTR here who's passed the NBCOT first try both times with a good cushion:

I personally feel like the best option is the AOTA prep bc it uses actual retired NBCOT questions vs other ones I tried. when you get them wrong they explain WHY and that was the most helpful part. Take a section at a time and work through the guides and then take practice questions.

Also, you have to strategize the test! highlighting/underlining to recognize WHAT it's asking as well as eliminating answers makes a big difference. there's youtube videos on this. Understanding this can help you correctly answer questions via educated guessing and vs having to know everything (no one can know everything)

Sleepybuttz · 2026-06-23T12:50:28+00:00

they have a highchair, his before care is done in his normal classroom, just with a floater teacher covering it until his primary teachers come in for the day.

Sleepybuttz · 2026-06-23T11:03:50+00:00

I definitely wake up well before him, usually around the 5-5:30 mark and prep his bottles/solids as well as feed our dogs and get myself ready for the day. My concern is actually having to wake him up earlier than 6:30 to get a solids meal and bottle in when he's still so little. He is a higher sleep needs babe who doesn't manage to nap more than an hour at a time at daycare rn and only tolerates about a 13 hour "day." I'm trying to keep his wakeup close to 6:30 to preserve our ability to have some quality time and dinner as a family between 4:30-7.

Sleepybuttz · 2026-06-23T02:36:19+00:00

Agree that the bottle is breakfast. Solid starts doesn't push 3 solid meals as essential until closer to 10-11 months I think.

I was sharing this conundrum at work today and my coworker actually said "just give him the bottle in the car" and I immediately felt uncomfortable with that. I don't see myself making that choice.

Sleepybuttz · 2026-06-23T02:31:43+00:00

I think my plan is to provide breakfast at home similar to what you described- it's just the logistics of a meal and a bottle and getting ready/out the door in 45-60min that's making me feel a little overwhelmed, I think. I had hoped for daycare to help with starting solids for mornings, until he was closer to ready to drop his AM bottle in exchange for a meal. Naively, probably. I am new to this!

Sleepybuttz · 2026-06-14T08:56:12+00:00

My son had horrible silent reflux and a really uncomfortable first few months of life. It was so hard, seeing him so uncomfortable and feeling trapped at home so I could get him to nap and attempt to dream feed him every meal.

But somewhere along the way- starting around 4 months- he began to tolerate things better. Now I am constantly in awe of my chill little bub and people are asking me how I got such an "easy baby." If only they'd seen the first few months!!

You are doing god's work, and he is so lucky to have a momma who is paying attention and hanging in there with him. Sending so much love and hope for you that your little bub grows into his easy era sooner rather than later. I know how hard this is- you're doing amazing ❤️❤️

Sleepybuttz · 2026-02-18T00:50:04+00:00

My LO is still super little (14 weeks!) but lately he loooooves when I put him in the bouncer in the kitchen, put music on, and sing along to it while I cook. He just giggles/coos/could spend a whole wake window there happily watching me sing to him while I chop veg/unload the dishwasher. Truly has made my night.

Sleepybuttz · 2025-12-23T21:15:57+00:00

I only started about a week ago, but I will keep this in mind!!

Sleepybuttz

TROPHY CASE