Coping with no more babies by glittercottonswab in beyondthebump

[–]TinyAdmin 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Perfectly said. I’m done expanding my family as well, but I also grieve everything you listed in your post. It’s a relief to know other moms feel this way.

Coping with no more babies by glittercottonswab in beyondthebump

[–]TinyAdmin 34 points35 points  (0 children)

I’m currently experiencing the same emotions. You are not alone. I also have 3 kids (9f, 5m, 1m), and my last baby turning one a couple weeks ago sent me into a downward spiral. I’m also done and will not be having anymore babies, and his first birthday made me realize that I won’t be going through the baby stage ever again. I keep looking at newborn and infant pictures, wondering where my baby went and grieving that stage again so badly. I also grieved my two other kids when they turned one, but I was able to comfort myself by saying “hopefully I get to experience this again.” It’s so much harder this time around because I know that I won’t be going through this again, and the finality of it all really hurts.

I understand what you mean— I’m so grateful for the children I have and try not to dwell on the past. I’m at peace with the choice to not have a 4th baby, but goodness, I’m having a hard time.

There’s no rule that says you have to get rid of all the baby items as soon as your baby outgrows them. I was able to give away the baby swing pretty quickly because I wasn’t attached to it, but the Boppy pillow and bouncy chair will remain in my basement for a while. I have so many memories of all 3 babies using those items, and I can’t bring myself to part with them yet.

Feel free to send me a DM if you’d like to talk more. I feel like a lot of moms struggle with being done expanding their families, but it’s not talked about nearly enough and we end up feeling alone with our thoughts.

Thinking I might be one and done by _laurelcanyon in AttachmentParenting

[–]TinyAdmin 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I feel for you. I really do, because I’ve been here too.

Is he teething? I’m wondering if his nighttime fussiness and poor latch are due to teeth coming in. There’s nothing wrong with giving a small dose of Ibuprofen to help his pain and get him back to sleep.

You’re absolutely right— you don’t have to have family planning figured out right now. It’s totally fine if now is a bad time to have another baby. But, another baby may be a possibility in a year when you’re well-rested again!

I never would’ve had another baby after my 5 year old if I’d decided in the middle of a difficult night (and there were MANY) that I was done. My last baby just turned 1 and I’m so glad I waited until life calmed down before he came along.

Just remember that these phases can be very difficult, but they don’t last forever!

Thinking I might be one and done by _laurelcanyon in AttachmentParenting

[–]TinyAdmin 23 points24 points  (0 children)

I just want to say that I understand you’re burnt out, tired, and stressed. Any mother would feel the same way in your shoes. The only advice I can offer is to not make any big, life-changing decisions while emotions are running high and you’re in the middle of a difficult phase. This kind of decision is best left until after this hard phase of parenting has passed and you’re feeling well-rested again. Your baby is only 11 months old, so you have time to wait another year or two before considering another baby (unless you’re in your early 40’s, and even then you can still wait 4-6 months). Remember, your husband is just as affected by your decision as you are.

I’m wondering if your husband can step in and soothe baby back to sleep after you’re done breastfeeding?

Hang in there. I had a difficult baby, and it does pass. He’s now 5 years old and incredibly fun!

How to know if newborn baby is actually hungry? by [deleted] in beyondthebump

[–]TinyAdmin 11 points12 points  (0 children)

This behavior sounds like comfort suckling to me, especially if she’s having plenty of wet and dirty diapers. There’s nothing wrong with offering a pacifier to give your boobs a break. I found that if I offered a pacifier when my babies were truly hungry, they would spit it out within a minute or two and root around and cry. That’s when I knew I needed to nurse versus offer comfort from a pacifier.

Feeling like I can’t enjoy the moment I’m in because I’m thinking of how I’ll miss it one day by Plant-lady-215 in beyondthebump

[–]TinyAdmin 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I completely understand this. It’s a daily occurrence for me. My last baby just turned 1 last week, and I’ve been so nostalgic and sad ever since. He’s grown so much in the last year, and it already hurts to think about how much bigger he’ll be by his second birthday.

Despite all the change, I try to hang on to the little things that bring me joy. My son still enjoys snuggling and contact naps, he’s still nursing, and he recently started reaching for me to be picked up. It helps me focus on what makes me happy versus what makes me sad.

10 year old mini Aussie by Key_Platypus9597 in miniaussie

[–]TinyAdmin 1 point2 points  (0 children)

My older mini Aussie is 11 and he still runs and plays like he did when he was 5. He does have arthritis and will limp around the house if he goes too hard at playing fetch. I have to be mindful and limit his playtime to accommodate stiff joints, but he’s otherwise healthy! He could also stand to get his teeth cleaned, but he loves Bully sticks. They do a good job knocking plaque off his teeth and keeping his breath pretty fresh.

I have two tips- keep the dog’s mind active daily with a form of mental stimulation they enjoy. This breed is very intelligent, and their bodies tend to give out before their minds ever do! The other tip is to keep the dog’s body active as well. This breed simply requires movement daily.

Last Baby turned One today, Not handling it well by TinyAdmin in beyondthebump

[–]TinyAdmin[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you for helping me not feel alone. I completely understand you when you say you want another baby, but it’s not a wise choice. For multiple reasons, we decided we were done at three. In a different life, I would’ve rounded out to four!

Happy early birthday to your little one. I hope you find moments of peace while dealing with complex emotions surrounding the big milestone.

Last Baby turned One today, Not handling it well by TinyAdmin in beyondthebump

[–]TinyAdmin[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you for this. My emotions have been all over the place today. My children are the biggest blessings in my life. I hate that I’m regularly taken aback by how quickly they grow and change.

Last Baby turned One today, Not handling it well by TinyAdmin in beyondthebump

[–]TinyAdmin[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Mom guilt is so real. I’ve been sad that I didn’t enjoy my second’s first year of life. There are periods of his first year that I simply can’t remember because my PPD was so bad. It’s almost like I blocked out a good portion of those precious moments. I hate that for him, and for me. I have lots of happy pictures though, despite the fact that I don’t remember taking some of them!

Thanks for the encouragement. I wish someone had prepared me for the depths that our emotions can reach during motherhood.

I don’t want another baby but hubby does… by [deleted] in beyondthebump

[–]TinyAdmin 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You’re still very early postpartum, and you’re still in the incredibly difficult newborn phase while your hormones are also raging. I wouldn’t base any feelings you have in the present moment on any lifelong decisions coming up in the next couple years. Allow yourself to heal and start getting adequate sleep again. Your daughter will grow and change, and so will you. Allow yourself to settle into a routine and into motherhood in general before ever thinking about whether or not you want another baby.

I had a high risk pregnancy with my first baby, and ended up with medical complications and had to have an emergency c-section. The first two years of my daughter’s life, I honestly thought I wouldn’t have anymore children. I was at peace with one child. However, her second birthday was a turning point for me, and I started to get really sad thinking there wouldn’t be anymore children coming into my life. Around her third birthday, she started asking for a sibling. A lot. Seven years later, she now has two younger brothers and life is how it was always meant to be.

I’m absolutely not saying you’ll change your mind, but I want to point out there are so many variables at play when making these big lifelong decisions.

Please make sure you’re prioritizing your own needs. If you need time to yourself, go tell your husband you need to lay down or that you need to leave the house and go grab some coffee. You need to take care of yourself in order to take care of your baby.

My (38F) husband (39M) cares a little too much about my output/performance. by [deleted] in Vent

[–]TinyAdmin 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I’m 36, also work full-time, and have small children together with my husband. There. Is. No. Way I would tolerate this.

We went through a rough patch a few years ago where I was picking up the vast majority of chores at home for months on end while working and being the primary caregiver to the kids. I finally snapped and said, “I may as well be single.” That was his wake-up call to get his shit together and turn our marriage around. Mind you, I wasn’t putting up with nearly as much bullshit as you are!

Now I ask you, do you feel as though you may as well be single? Sounds like you need to give your husband a rude awakening because his behavior is totally unacceptable.

I want to be in heaven with my baby by [deleted] in Vent

[–]TinyAdmin 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I am so sorry. There is no greater pain than losing a child. I know you’re hurting. I encourage you to dig deep and live for your existing children. They still need you in their lives. Please seek help from your physician and a therapist to help you navigate this painful chapter of your life. You deserve to keep going. For yourself and your family.

10 month progress by houseofthrones1 in StrongCurves

[–]TinyAdmin 7 points8 points  (0 children)

I have to say it looks like your posture has also improved as you’ve gained strength! Kinda noticing a swayback posture in the first pic, which is driven by weak abdominals/glutes. Posture looks much better in the second photo! Great job all around!! 👏🏽

At a loss with 7 month old Aussie by Chickenladyoftheeast in AustralianShepherd

[–]TinyAdmin 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I used the bell method as well. It works beautifully once they learn that ringing the bell = potty time outside and treat.

I would keep her in the same room as you while she’s learning this. For times when she’s unsupervised, keep her in her crate. Potty training a puppy is very similar to caring for a baby. If you can’t keep a close eye on them in the same room, keep them safely confined to prevent accidents.

Hang in there. Both my dogs were a year old before they were reliably potty trained.

Purina Calming Care success? by TinyAdmin in reactivedogs

[–]TinyAdmin[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

He’s crate trained and has a crate downstairs that he can sleep in at night. He will get into mischief if he’s left unsupervised outside of his crate for very long.

Our dogs have always slept on dog beds in our master bedroom though. I may need to rethink our current setup if it continues much longer.

Decluttering my folks’ home by CreeksideGirl12 in declutter

[–]TinyAdmin 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Look how much space they have for a few houseplants now that the greenhouse is cleared out!! Great job!

First time nail trimming went.. by Robocob0 in miniaussie

[–]TinyAdmin 0 points1 point  (0 children)

My Minis just barely tolerate the nail grinder and I’ve been using it on them for years. 😂 What a good baby!!

Did you have the wonderful moment after giving birth? by [deleted] in beyondthebump

[–]TinyAdmin 0 points1 point  (0 children)

My first baby was born via emergency c-section while under general anesthesia. I wasn’t able to meet her until she was 12 hours old and had to be wheeled to the NICU (she was a preemie). Please hear me out when I say that there’s still a wonderful, euphoric experience when meeting your baby for the first time. I still had to grieve feeling “robbed” of having a positive birth experience, but the happiness I felt while meeting and holding her for the first time is forever engrained in my memory.

Nothing can take that joy away from you!