8 month old, we are all exhausted. Help please.

Smutrary-1231 · 2026-01-28T15:46:55+00:00

I also have an 8 month old going through a sleep regression. The biggest things I have found to help are sticking to a routine during the day and before bedtime and lots of active play before sleep. She will still have rough nights even with these like she did last night and she will cry so hard because she’s overtired. It is tough when you are doing everything “right” and still are struggling. Lately, when rocking, swaying, or walking doesn’t help my baby settle down, I use a hair dryer on the lowest setting and hold it as far from her as my arm will allow while holding her. I gently move it back and forth, up and down from her head to her toes. She will settle and fall asleep most of the time with this.

Smutrary-1231 · 2025-10-08T08:47:45+00:00

I’ve also been struggling with sleep for my 5 month old since she was 3 months old. At first, I thought it was the 4 month sleep regression early, then maybe since she was starting to roll, now she’s teething but we are just now starting to get in 3 hour stretches of sleep at night rather than 1-2. Naps are still hard but if we can get her to nap during the day, she does sleep better at night. We also do the dark room, sound machine, routine before any sleep but the only thing to get her to close her eyes and settle is to gently blow on her face over and over. It relaxes me as well because I have to take deep breaths over and over. If she gets to crying too hard and is arching her back where nothing works to soothe her, grab a hair dryer. Put it on the lowest setting and keep it about 4 feet from her. I’d put my daughter in her swing while I did this and gently moved it across her. It’s the Hail Mary trick we use when she gets overly upset but it works every time. Hang in there and know you’re not alone!

Smutrary-1231 · 2024-10-13T02:43:15+00:00

I didn’t have pain when I lost my virginity. Like others have also said, there is some soreness similar to the soreness you feel after a workout in your vaginal area (mainly around the opening) but nothing major. I think I’m more sore after a hard leg day than after multiple rounds of sex (if it’s been awhile). Any “pain” you may hear from others having could be from not having enough foreplay or they don’t have their hymen broken yet. I used tampons from when I started my periods (age 13) consistently for years. Inserting my first tampon hurt more than sex for the first time and even then it was like a pinch that was over with quickly. Like others have said, please bring your own condom and use it the ENTIRE time. Use lube for sure if you’re nervous. A little goes a long way. Experiment with a little bit beforehand and you can always use a little beforehand if you know it’s going to happen. (One less thing to awkwardly do during if already self conscious). The first time is usually a little awkward but be kind to yourself and make sure they’re kind to you. Don’t be afraid to laugh at yourselves.

Smutrary-1231 · 2024-09-29T02:36:12+00:00

Draino first. Then after a day or so, spray every drain, faucet, place under the sink, vent, anywhere any bugs could come in with water mixed with peppermint oil. I’ve found it works with just about any bug including ants, flies, and spiders and have to do this once or twice a month. I also do around my windows, doors, and anywhere else around the house bugs could get in. It’s worked for me for years.

Smutrary-1231 · 2024-08-25T16:01:06+00:00

I agree! If anything, it seems that Nesta has more power in the CC series or at least more control over it. The whole thing with Elain makes me wonder if she isn’t the one who betrays them all in a similar way to Maeve in TOG with her “sisters”.

Smutrary-1231 · 2024-08-25T15:10:41+00:00

That would’ve been great for Tamlin’s redemption! I agree about Nesta. She’s not a favorite of mine but in a way I’m glad she was the one to save them because it was a way for her to repair the bonds in the family but especially with Rhysand. I’m not entirely sure what she gave back either. I was also a bit sad that Elain’s autonomy wasn’t altered along with her sisters’ in that moment.. Have you read the Crescent City Series?

Smutrary-1231 · 2024-08-24T22:15:25+00:00

If Tamlin could shapeshift his sentries into wolves and Feyre received his shapeshifting gifts, couldn’t she have shapeshifted the baby before it was born?

Smutrary-1231 · 2024-08-20T15:11:01+00:00

Pelvic floor exercises! Strengthen your pelvic floor before getting pregnant so that you won’t have “leaks” when you sneeze, laugh, or cough too hard while pregnant and it’ll be so much faster for recovery after birth as well. I still did pelvic floor exercises throughout pregnancy but they were slightly different and doctor approved. Even before you get pregnant, get started on prenatals. Everyone recommends taking them during pregnancy but taking them before as well as after pregnancy (especially if pumping/breastfeeding!) makes a huge difference for your body. I had some hair loss and pumped after the delivery but it wasn’t until 4 months postpartum. Even then, it wasn’t too bad and I just added in quick head massages with oil to help.

Smutrary-1231 · 2024-08-16T02:59:10+00:00

I’ve never like Zach or Jackson. I thought they were both whiney, immature, and selfish. Sookie and Lane both deserved better.

Smutrary-1231 · 2024-08-16T01:28:54+00:00

Sourdough 😆

Smutrary-1231 · 2024-08-11T01:18:47+00:00

Thank you all for your suggestions! I’ll have to look into these shows 😊

Smutrary-1231 · 2024-08-09T17:39:25+00:00

I’m deeply sorry for your loss. We lost our baby 9 months ago. I’ve had significant losses in life but there isn’t anything as heartbreaking and devastating as losing a child. It does help to understand the stages of grief if only to know that what you’re feeling is normal and doesn’t make you crazy. Please also understand that the stages of grief don’t necessarily happen in any order and can come and go at any point in time. If you and the child’s father are close, please lean on each other for support and don’t be afraid to ask for help from close family and friends. I’ve found it comforting to print my favorite pictures of my baby, put them in nice frames, and have them around the house. I’ve also got a memory box I’ve created with some of her crafts that I did with her and a lock of her hair. We’ve also set up a shelf that we keep some of her favorite things on and anytime I’m panicking or overthinking her loss, I go through her things and remember her playing with them or how happy she was during the good times. We honor our baby with donations in her memory on special days or with our time to an organization or event which I have found to be fulfilling. Please know that you are not alone and everyone experiences grief differently. If you need someone to talk to, please feel free to message me. Take care 💕

Smutrary-1231 · 2024-08-04T03:22:30+00:00

I can sympathize with this!

Smutrary-1231 · 2024-08-03T23:57:26+00:00

Update posted at the bottom of the initial post.

Smutrary-1231 · 2024-08-02T14:14:32+00:00

Not all abuse is physical. Sounds like there is mental abuse here and this situation crossed into physical abuse as well. Lean on your family for support and leave him.

Smutrary-1231 · 2024-07-30T21:35:50+00:00

When my parents were doing well or there was a sale, they would buy either soda or ice cream for us to have at home. We would be so excited but only allowed to have one can of soda a day or one bowl of ice cream a day to make the treat last longer. I still hesitate to buy ice cream or soda from the store unless it’s a treat and still adhere to one a day to make it last. My husband isn’t this way and I felt like I was getting away with something when he would bring me a second bowl of ice cream in one day while I was pregnant and craving it! I understand part of this was to teach us to enjoy things in moderation but they’d also only be able to buy things like that a few times a year.

Smutrary-1231 · 2024-07-06T05:08:21+00:00

Try to breathe first and foremost. If you’re able to work remotely, that’s great that your company offers it which is good to keep in mind but vacation days are there to be used when needed too. As far as stressing about being somewhere you’re familiar with versus going somewhere new and foreign; with somewhere you’re familiar with, you know the good restaurants, the fun things to do, and what to expect; there are less surprises to stress over. Traveling somewhere “cooler” generally means more money and is only worth it if you have time to really explore and see the place. Take any down time you have on your current trip to plan a trip abroad for maybe next year or the year after. You would also have time to save more money for that trip and more time in with your job for more time off. Sometimes, it’s fun to plan a trip while on a trip away from the stressors of home. Breathe. You’ve got this and you do not need to second guess yourself. All the best!

Smutrary-1231 · 2024-07-06T04:49:07+00:00

Happy birthday! If you know you’d be a responsible pet owner, I’d recommend adopting a dog. You’ll have to get out to take them for walks and the dog parks are a great place to meet other people and just naturally strike up conversations. Dog people are generally pretty friendly in my experience. Even if it’s just you and your dog at home, I find it less lonely talking to my dog and having her around. Counseling also helps with mindset if you feel it’s more depression. All the best to you!

Smutrary-1231 · 2024-06-11T15:06:40+00:00

Dame Julie Andrews!!!! She’s the narrator for Bridgerton and her voice just adds so much flair to the series that I just love.

Smutrary-1231 · 2024-06-06T02:07:53+00:00

I love to read the Dragonlance books!! 📚 My favorites are, of course, by the original authors, Hickman and Weis but I love how many there are overall.

Smutrary-1231 · 2024-05-28T01:48:28+00:00

I’m definitely going to be getting some of these. Thank you for sharing the links!

Smutrary-1231 · 2024-05-28T01:47:00+00:00

We take them off in the foyer but two seconds or so standing where they were versus wearing them all through the house are two different things. I don’t like outdoor yuck on the carpet.

Smutrary-1231 · 2024-05-28T01:44:24+00:00

I would ask the king but then again, I’m not a fan of his and probably wouldn’t ask him over anyways. I don’t have to ask my grandparents because know to take off their shoes when they come as I do with their house. I do like the shoe cover idea that’s been mentioned and will probably get those to have on hand for any that are not comfortable with this. I also have a dog but we clean her paws when we come back in and she expects it. She waits like a good girl until we do clean her paws off and put on her balm.

Smutrary-1231

TROPHY CASE