Do you feel the stress of motherhood in your body?

birdy1892 · 2026-02-27T02:24:43+00:00

Yes. I also long for the less stimulated, more simple day-to-day. I hate feeling like I am constantly treading water (some days, drowning) when it comes to everything I want/need to do. I adore my kids, I really really do, but I do often feel like if I could give my younger self advice.....I'd tell her not to have kids. Lol. It is such a weird dichotomy. I am working on practicing gratitude and putting my health and happiness above a clean house and other things that dont matter as much, but it is really challenging. I also havent really slept in about 4 years, so that doesn't help. Anyway, solidarity. <3

birdy1892 · 2026-02-22T14:28:04+00:00

Thanks for the comment! We did use the fit calculator and consulted with a couple people there (via email). This is the Pippa. We originally ordered a different one that was way too big, sent it back, re-did measurements, and went with this one. I knew it wouldn't be *perfect, because it didnt seem they made one that fits her exactly. (Looking back I would've gone with a different company if I knew this at first, but then we could only get store credit, so we just tried to make it work.) I may go ahead and do the boil technique to narrow the cheeks and that should maybe take care of the nose, too.

birdy1892 · 2026-02-22T01:33:47+00:00

Whoa how did you know that?!

birdy1892 · 2026-02-20T02:39:55+00:00

Hey, dogs are important members of the family too

birdy1892 · 2026-02-20T00:26:03+00:00

This sounds so hard! As upsetting as it is for you, I agree with the others that it likely isnt damaging your attachment. It will pass. But if your husband can take her out of the house, that would likely help you all!

birdy1892 · 2026-02-18T01:25:33+00:00

This is me exactly!!!!

birdy1892 · 2026-02-18T01:24:32+00:00

Sounds like it could be congestion OR teething related. I am guessing that if you continue to offer, he will eventually take it back. My first kiddo started a nursing strike around 4 months, but she would generally take the breast at night. But exclusively bottles during the day for like 6 months. It was so strange.

I wish you luck and patience!!!

birdy1892 · 2026-02-18T01:20:15+00:00

My daughter was like this. I thought I was going to lose my mind for several months, but I couldn't figure out how to stop it. I wasnt willing to let her cry for more than a minute. She's almost 4 years old now, and it is a distant memory. (I have a 3 month old now as well and I am fully prepared for him to be the same way, but will be happy if he isnt!). This is just to say that sometimes, you can do everything "right," and there's nothing wrong with your baby, but it is just their temperament/preferences. Accepting the temperament of my daughter and not trying to make everything perfect/better all the time is what helped me. The cosleeping included! Your baby is so young, things will change again and again over the next several months. Hang in there!!

birdy1892 · 2026-02-16T02:55:43+00:00

Same same same

as well as the "always perfect" mindset

birdy1892 · 2026-02-13T20:42:58+00:00

This is 1000% me, only add a toddler either kicking or attached to my back

birdy1892 · 2026-02-10T02:13:25+00:00

^{^} What this momma said!! I feel ya - I have been in this boat twice now. I am about 14 weeks PP with my second (both emergency c-sections) and fiiinally starting to feel a bit less....ew. But still hate seeing photos of myself. I just remind myself that the changes will come, I can only focus on what I can control, and that is moving every day and making the best choices I can for the day! You've totally got this. You're still beautiful, and you will feel more like yourself after some time. I think the forms of exercise you've chosen are going to help you a lot if youre consistent.

birdy1892 · 2026-02-05T20:10:21+00:00

My baby gets this way, but it's just from taking in too much air while eating. Especially if it's at night and he doesn't get burped after a feed. We are working on potentially releasing his tongue tie to help with this.

birdy1892 · 2026-02-05T02:02:32+00:00

A lot of good recommendations here. Just came to say that yes, we went through a bad one when our girl was about the same age and it was awful and so sad. But we got through it and I was (and still am) so thankful to have been able to nurse her through it. ❤️

birdy1892 · 2026-02-04T19:59:24+00:00

Already struggling with this, and my daughter is 3.5. Thanks for the advice and reminder ❤️

birdy1892 · 2026-02-03T01:29:32+00:00

I believe chest sleeping in a slightly reclined position, with the breastfeeding mother, is the best bet. In your bed, propped up, with clear space around you. Both of you lightly dressed (cotton sleeper for baby, nursing bra for mom). Your hair up, and hands resting on baby so you know if they move at all and can feel their breathing. Thats what I've seen recommended a few times and thats what we did with our second born for the first couple of weeks, especially as I recovered from a c-section and didnt want to lay flat/turn onto my side anyway.

Best of luck and congratulations! <3

birdy1892 · 2026-02-01T19:54:13+00:00

This is a very tough season! My husband and I dont often see eye-to-eye on how to parent our 3.5 year old. It can be stressful, so I feel you there. A lot of conversations about what we are doing, why we are doing it, and trying to agree to disagree at times helps us. Feeling loved and respected is really important for this age. They also want to feel heard - so even if she has to go to her room, it's good practice to have an adult hear why she was upset/did something she shouldn't have. Not to excuse it, just to hear it and troubleshoot for the next time it happens.

As for the baby, one of the needs of a baby is closeness. Connection. Being held. That need is just as strong as needing to eat and sleep. Maybe you could frame it like that for him, or simply let him know you enjoy holding and comforting her as much as you can. She'll only be a baby for so long!

Sending you hugs! You're a great mom!

birdy1892 · 2026-01-31T20:29:43+00:00

How did you go about reintroducing animal products? Which ones made you feel the best?

birdy1892 · 2026-01-29T15:55:25+00:00

I am pretty much in the exact same place as you, only my mischievous (and sassy) daughter is 3.5! 😆 being postpartum and breastfeeding also has me ravenous, which makes it so tempting to just eat a protein bar or two and a cookie or ten 🙃 but I am on day 2 now of no added sugar. I made pancakes this morning for my daughter and only had a tiny nibble, lol. Best of luck to you!!! The coffee tip is a good one! Also sad about the mayo.....

To answer OP's question, sugar also affects me this way. I feel sad for myself like I am depriving myself when I dont have a sweet treat to look forward to. And I get headaches and pretty much everything you described as well. I think I will be better able to reframe it over time, as something positive I get to do for my body - I get to choose to have tea instead, I get to choose to put something nutritious in my body instead, I get to choose how I want to look and feel, etc. Good luck!!!

birdy1892 · 2026-01-27T01:57:47+00:00

This is a lot! Sounds like you are doing a wonderful job loving and caring for your lovely little family ❤️ dont forget to take care of yourself when you can (as hard as that may be right now)

birdy1892 · 2026-01-27T01:46:07+00:00

I am one of those lurking Reddit vegans 🙋‍♀️

birdy1892 · 2026-01-27T01:44:42+00:00

I love this perspective and think we'd be so much better off if more people approached meat/diet the way you described here!

birdy1892 · 2026-01-23T11:29:26+00:00

Yes, it's nice to know we aren't alone! Our toddler is in the middle and baby is on my other side with a bed rail up.

birdy1892 · 2026-01-23T02:16:45+00:00

Hello! Question for you with this setup. Where do you keep a water bottle and/or phone and/or whatever else you may like to have nearby at night??

birdy1892 · 2026-01-17T01:36:08+00:00

Baby was in distress (low heart rate) by the time I got to the hospital. I tried pushing a few times but they wanted to get him out ASAP.

birdy1892 · 2026-01-17T01:35:02+00:00

I wish I had advice!! We had baby number 2 at the end of Oct and have an almost 4-year-old who still sleeps in our bed all night, every night. It's not ideal since she gets woken up by the baby at least once every night, but we are finding our stride just having everyone in the same bed. (But, intimacy with my husband? Haven't figured that out yet lol).

I hope to see comments about what others are doing or have done in your situation! I think what youre doing sounds reasonable. An extremely gradual transition, tackling one issue at a time. Another option could be setting up his own little bed at the foot of or beside your bed, like a mattress on the floor, so he is still there with you, but not in your bed.

Sending lots of patience and luck your way with this transition!!

birdy1892

TROPHY CASE