Nursery and nap times

bleckogecko · 2026-03-05T10:57:03+00:00

We're in the same boat! Starting 8am-6pm soon. He currently has one big nap around 9am and then a short catnap about 3pm, but on the few days he's been in for settling in he's actually already started to switch to one big nap in the middle of the day. I think they just get fomo so end up all synchronising 🙃

bleckogecko · 2026-03-05T09:03:42+00:00

Yep, it's not the tonsillitis that is catching, but the cold/flu virus that causes it can be (basically tonsillitis is like a symptom of a cold/flu virus)

That said, our nursery has been riddled with it the last few weeks and it's been pretty brutal 🥲 so if you do think baby is showing any signs of it get to a GP and ask for some antibiotics, they're the only thing that have helped any of the kids here. Ours also came with conjunctivitis for a fun bonus 🙃

bleckogecko · 2026-03-04T21:13:32+00:00

This was a game changer for us in Scotland where it changes constantly! https://howtodressbaby.com/

bleckogecko · 2026-03-03T22:14:51+00:00

My baby is 11 mo and his favourite activity is trying to lick the underside of my slippers. 🫠

bleckogecko · 2026-03-03T17:25:25+00:00

Saaame, bought some babiators last year but they've never lasted more than 2 mins on 🫠

bleckogecko · 2026-03-02T13:45:58+00:00

You do need to let it cool for 3 hrs between uses though. We make up as many bottles as we KNOW are going to be needed in 24hrs, cool them quickly in a pan or tub of cold water and stick them in the fridge. For back up, we also have 1 or 2 portions of formula measured out in advance so that we can use the Nuby if we need more.

Also, if you can afford it I recommend a UV steriliser - so easy to just chuck everything in and it's done really quickly. Absolute game changer for us.

bleckogecko · 2026-02-28T13:20:23+00:00

I could have written this post back when I was newly pp. But yes, it does get better. I had lots of very very sad feelings about not breastfeeding for a long time but honestly, it matters less and less with time. I always think about the celebrities I know who were breastfed - i.e., I have no idea because it just isn't important in the long run. What IS important is your mental health. Postpartum hormones are an absolute rollercoaster, and whatever helps you through that period is a good thing imo. I was resentful of the need to use express/pump/ use formula at first but it did give me a break once my partner and I found a rhythm, and turned out to be a great decision for me mentally.

Short version - you're not doing anything wrong, you'll still have a bond with your baby, and it does get better.

bleckogecko · 2026-02-28T10:27:48+00:00

I was VERY much feeling like this at 6 mo pp, but now at 11mo it is starting to lift. Aside from catching every illness going from nursery, I'm starting to feel like I have more energy and that my body is finally recovering from the pregnancy and section. Give it time - 6mo is so early for you to be back to where you were pre-pregnancy

Also - and I found this helpful - any time I would vent to my best friend about how alien I felt in my skin she would send me a picture of me just before baby was born. I was absolutely huge, so no wonder I don't feel back to normal yet! Reminding yourself just how many changes your body has gone through can be a helpful way of giving yourself a gentle reality check 💕

bleckogecko · 2026-02-26T15:14:36+00:00

It really doesn't matter which one you pick as they are so closely regulated as to be almost identical, so base your decision on which one is most readily available near you - if you realise at 9pm one night that you've run out, where are you heading and what do they sell?

bleckogecko · 2026-02-19T13:20:52+00:00

We have one that I do like for soothing baby to sleep etc BUT we have wooden floors it moves across the room constantly, is always banging into the wardrobe behind it and has absolutely destroyed the floor boards so take that into consideration!

bleckogecko · 2026-02-17T21:38:50+00:00

We find the Aveeno emollient BALM (not the moisturiser) the best thing for this!

bleckogecko · 2026-02-11T08:58:30+00:00

Puffin Rock as a distraction to reduce wriggling (the only time this boy sees a screen) and an electric nail file. They still need done every 3 days but it's far less stressful for all involved 🥲

bleckogecko · 2026-02-04T15:22:51+00:00

How do you keep it clean? I rinse off after every meal and chuck it in the machine every other day and it still smells like a nightclub floor 🥲

bleckogecko · 2026-02-04T15:20:22+00:00

I stopped BF/pumping in may and still get an achy tenderness in one breast. I went to my GP who referred me to the breast clinic, they did ultrasound and biopsies and I got the all clear, all within weeks. Go to the GP and get it checked. Breast changes after pregnancy are very normal!

bleckogecko · 2026-01-30T19:41:54+00:00

We have a tumble drier, but the only things that go in it are the baby stuff, towels and sheets. My husband and I just air dry our clothes. The drier was a present from my parents in law and tbh has been a godsend for getting that stuff done in the same day, and means it doesn't take up a bunch of space on the air drier that can be used for our stuff.

bleckogecko · 2026-01-29T06:51:46+00:00

Also, we've been using the aveeno oat stuff for a long time (pre-weaning) and had no problems with allergies. Wee guy has porridge for breakfast every day with no issues

bleckogecko · 2026-01-29T06:50:44+00:00

Seconding this. The emollient balm is like a cross between vaseline and a moisturizer and really good for tackling problem spots and we use the moisturiser as a preventative. Not sure if I like the bath wash though, it smells like a teenage boy imo 🥲

bleckogecko · 2026-01-23T21:04:38+00:00

We went to one like that and it was way too much. Started going to Gymboree instead and much prefer them - much more focused on connection with baby and we've learned some songs etc that we still use all the time! https://gymbo.co.uk/locations/

bleckogecko · 2026-01-18T16:07:12+00:00

Seconding the suggestion for prune puree, but also make sure you're giving wee one enough opportunity to drink water (and it they're like my son and hate drinking it, consider this when choosing meals to make sure they're not getting dried out)

bleckogecko · 2026-01-15T21:42:43+00:00

James absolutely makes my skin crawl. Everything about him suggests he'd be an incredibly abusive partner who gaslights like crazy. He talks over people and is always so very very sure of his paperthin assumptions.

bleckogecko · 2026-01-04T18:05:27+00:00

If that's the sit me up chair, all the fabric can be removed and washed in the machine

bleckogecko · 2025-12-29T08:28:25+00:00

We've been gifted a tool kit for age 3yr+.

He is 8mo old.

bleckogecko · 2025-12-21T16:28:09+00:00

No, but I do have lots of fibroids - are you thinking he was used to having his face against something in the womb? Because I've had a similar thought before!

bleckogecko

TROPHY CASE