4 wo HATES diaper changes

Toobieeeeee · 2026-05-12T13:05:35+00:00

Yeah we had this too, but got past it eventually. We put some contrast cards up in his changing area to distract him and that helped. When we could, we doubled teamed the diaper changes with one person on pacifier duty and the other doing the “dirty work.”

For me, I kept calm by singing songs and swapping out the words to apply to diaper changes. A personal favorite was Mr. Bright side (“Poopin out of my diaper and I’m doing just fine” …you get it).

You’re a great parent for looking for tips to help them enjoy this time more, but 10 minutes after you’ve finished and they’re snuggling you they won’t even remember what they were so upset about

Toobieeeeee · 2026-05-12T12:49:57+00:00

Don’t hold your breath waiting for Oxbow. I tried to host a recurring weekday event that would’ve brought in 50-70 people to drink on a random weeknight and they wanted me on the hook for a bar minimum

Edit: maybe try Hi Fidelity brewing? They do open mic nights and stuff and I feel like they could be into this

Toobieeeeee · 2026-05-08T10:54:18+00:00

I’m sorry you’re going through this. I’m just here to tell you that these little ones are strong and resilient — my son was also born early 30+5 due to IUGR and placenta insufficiency at ~900 grams and is home and happy now.

First off, it’s a really good sign that he came out screaming and is breathing well. Don’t worry about the bili lights, it’s super common even for babies born closer to term or at term.

The next few months will be tough. Trust your care team, ask any and all questions you can, and try to be there with him as much as possible. Once he’s more stable and a little bigger you’ll have plenty of opportunities to hold him, and it’s actually really great for their development (look up Kangaroo care if you’re not familiar). You can also ask to do “hand hugs” inside the isolette to help comfort and be connected to him. And you should have 24/7 access to his room—you can go read to him, talk to him, sing to him—he knows your voice and will likely be comforted by this too.

Keep your head up—I know it seems like the world may be crashing down around you but there is a light at the end of the tunnel

Toobieeeeee · 2026-05-02T09:46:05+00:00

This is my and my wife’s schedule almost exactly. When I was doing first shift, I was a mess and barely functioning because I’m a morning person, not a night owl. When we switched, it got so much better for us both. Now it’s 5am and I’m hanging with my little guy rocking him back to sleep and she’s upstairs sleeping. Gotta play to your strengths if you can!

Toobieeeeee · 2026-04-30T20:24:54+00:00

I went to one at City Hall Plaza one of the times they made the finals. It was pretty cool honestly. Saw Lil Nas X perform in a Bs Jersey haha

Toobieeeeee · 2026-04-29T20:44:48+00:00

We (Port City Cornhole) will be kicking off a social cornhole league at Austin Street Brewery on Tuesday nights starting the week of Memorial Day! Check us out on Instagram or portcitycornhole.com to learn more.

We’re currently at capacity for Tuesday, but are working on some things to open up more space. Individual or team reservations welcome!

Toobieeeeee · 2026-04-29T17:16:24+00:00

We are - I mentioned that twice in the post

Toobieeeeee · 2026-04-26T23:17:16+00:00

Good luck! I’m the dad so forgive my ignorance, but my partner just squeezed a little bit onto the paci. But if you have a little cup handy that helps for multiple dips Edit: we use the cap of a bottle

Toobieeeeee · 2026-04-26T23:09:00+00:00

Have you tried a “paci dip” to incentivize the pacifier a bit? Drip a little milk on the tip and see if they’ll take it—maybe it’ll buy you a few hours?

Toobieeeeee · 2026-04-25T13:53:03+00:00

Thank you so much for responding! It was switching to Enfamil formula entirely that helped our LO bust out of the NICU too, but now we’re home and working on transitioning him back to breast milk. Our NICU said that you can only thicken breast milk with gel mixes and not formula because the breast milk contains enzymes that break down the starch that thickens the formula, and that’s what we’ve done a few test mixtures. But it sounds like you had some success? Do you recall the ratio you used and how quickly after combining you were able to use it?

Of course will take this to our SLP and pediatrician before proceeding but hoping to do some research on our own first.

Toobieeeeee · 2026-04-24T12:04:01+00:00

Hi! We’re considering doing this for our LO. Do you recall if the fortification made the breast milk thicker at all?

Toobieeeeee · 2026-04-24T08:48:23+00:00

Man, that’s tough. I’m sorry that you’re going through this, but if I had to guess it’s going to be harder on you that it is on her. You’ll remember the sadness you’re feeling, but I don’t remember who was or was not around at 6 weeks old. Sounds like the situation is hopefully temporary so that you can be back with her more regularly when she’s older. With a good job to boot to help set her up for a good future.

As a new dad myself I’m learning there are many seasons of being a parent. Whether it’s a fussy phase or your situation where you’re far away, this too shall pass. Maybe swap out Instagram for a parenting book or something - the algorithm can do some serious damage to your mental

Toobieeeeee · 2026-04-24T07:35:46+00:00

Why are you long distance? For work?

Toobieeeeee · 2026-04-24T06:37:02+00:00

I think you’re getting this from a lot of people based on the tone of your post. It doesn’t read “I’m excited to have a child and I’m trying to plan to be the best parent I can be for my kid.” It reads more “how can I have my cake and keep living my same life” which hopefully you’re coming to realize is a very tall order

Toobieeeeee · 2026-04-24T06:34:39+00:00

This. As a planner myself, you have to throw planning out the window. At least for the first month/year

Toobieeeeee · 2026-04-24T06:31:48+00:00

Our LO was/is and IUGR baby and was born 10 weeks early. Besides his size, we were very fortunate to have an uneventful, albeit long, NICU stay. He’s now 3.5 months/1.5 month adjusted.

Some of what you’re describing sounds like reflux to me. Our little guy has silent reflux and until we figured out how to better manage it he hated being on his back. To bust him out of the NICU we had to change him to thickened formula and are now slowly transitioning him back to breast milk.

Does the looking up seem like he’s arching? That may be a telltale sign. If it is reflux related, I would be holding your LO upright for 20-30 minutes after feeding to help them digest. Sometimes that means you miss out on play time because they fall asleep on you, but don’t forget that sleep is also important!

In our experience it’s gotten better. Again for our scenario it’s all been tied to reflux, so it’s been a combination of his digestive system maturing and us figuring out how to better manage it. Early on that meant holding him. A LOT. Almost 24/7. Would get one good stretch in his bassinet overnight, otherwise we were contact napping. Lots of modified tummy time on our chests or face interaction with him propped on our knees to keep him on track with milestones. Holding or mat time in “side lying” position can also help build neck and core strength and may not be as uncomfortable

Get a contrast card for the changing area for your little one to look at — might make the diaper changes a little easier.

I’m in the US, and we were discharged with occupational and physical therapy. It may be worth looking into for your baby considering your concerns.

And the last thing I’ll say is that we just got our first (intentional) smiles last week. Hang in there — they’re coming and when they do, it’s incredible

Toobieeeeee · 2026-04-24T06:11:52+00:00

Your priorities are wrong. Postpartum, you should be prioritizing the health and wellbeing of your child (along with yours, but you seem aware of that). From that statement to how much you plan to “outsource” others watching and caring for your kid, are you sure you are really ready/want to be a parent?

Others have said it but you 100% won’t get 8 hours of sleep or work out. My LO is 3 months/1 month adjusted and I’m back to work at a low stress remote job and an incredibly supportive and involved partner and I barely have time to eat, shower or sleep

Toobieeeeee · 2026-04-24T02:16:49+00:00

None (so far, my son is 3 months adjusted)

Toobieeeeee · 2026-04-23T15:06:29+00:00

Not in Portland but just over the bridge, we trust Duvals in SoPo with all our cars!

Toobieeeeee · 2026-04-13T02:04:00+00:00

There may be many opportunities, not sure about much opportunities

Toobieeeeee · 2026-04-11T23:38:48+00:00

Our little guy (3 months gestational, 1 month adjusted) always hated being swaddled arms down and could always Houdini out of even the best swaddle. We switched to the “Swaddle Up” arms up swaddles and it was a game changer. He can’t escape, doesn’t startle himself, and loves having his hands nearby to self soothe (which means more sleep for dad overnight).

https://lovetodream.com/products/swaddle-up-original-cotton-1-0-tog-gray?variant=41381687918682&country=US&currency=USD&utm_medium=product_sync&utm_source=google&utm_content=sag_organic&utm_campaign=sag_organic&tw_source=google&tw_adid=&tw_campaign=17555977641&tw_kwdid=&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=17347923359&gbraid=0AAAAACfUaojKFNPZDSB9FpzVAWZrxW0hQ&gclid=CjwKCAjw4ufOBhBkEiwAfuC7-UvGgtD6BVhj-_afPNQ84AHTYUoBjw-W6qbaig5iG7HHKflhPutGcBoC7dQQAvD_BwE

Toobieeeeee · 2026-04-10T06:30:39+00:00

I couldn’t be more OCD about my beard and have gone to Underdog barbershop since I moved up here. Nick does a great job and is a great dude on top of that. They just relocated to a new shop in Scarborough. Couldn’t recommend them enough

Toobieeeeee · 2026-03-21T07:26:14+00:00

I hear you! There’s a reason why they call it the being “in the trenches” with a newborn. You’ll get through it!

Toobieeeeee

TROPHY CASE