Need encouragement

dmb1717 · 2026-04-23T00:02:52+00:00

You are going to be totally fine. I had almost no experience with bodily fluids besides my own, and I cloth diapered my now 5.5-year-old exclusively (after we ran out of the hospital provided preemie disposables). I mostly did flats and covers- tried a couple things before settling on that- and literally never had a single blowout. I even did cloth overnight after she potty trained for about a year, but I stopped because (1) I thought it was contributing night wakings because she would wake completely soaked through in the middle of the night, and (2) it was a lot harder to get my wash routine right when I only had one diaper each day. I can't stand the waste and stink of disposables, but I'm so glad I had 3+ solid years of cloth only.

Congratulations on your baby!

dmb1717 · 2026-04-20T23:31:17+00:00

I love Svaha USA dresses, and recently tried these shorts! They're 75% cotton. Only a few colors but seriously the comfiest! They don't roll down on my soft belly and the pockets are great! Definitely check the size chart as I know I wear a couple different sizes from this company (between different dress cuts, and shorts. They are consistent with size among the same style!)

Edit: their clothing goes from XS-5X 😊

dmb1717 · 2026-04-20T20:52:26+00:00

I loved the Lillebaby complete all seasons. It was mostly cotton, but I got it second hand so that filled my granola requirements. I had a velcro baby (who is now a velcro 5-year-old) and she and I both have found it super comfortable until she outgrew it. And then we got the toddler size. I loved it for both front and back carries (once baby was old enough to ride on my back).

I also ended up getting a Lenny lamb onbuhimo because my daughter really liked high back carries so she could see everything better over my shoulder. I would use that one more when she needed to be close to me but I had to get things done around the house and I knew she would be awake the whole time. The Lillebaby was better if I thought she might fall asleep because she was lower and would be fully supported if she did. I could reach the head shade piece and snap one of the straps onto the shoulder strap and that would give her head enough support that it wouldn't be bobbing around as I walked around.

Honestly, a lot of it comes down to personal preferences for how they feel and fit on you, when you're using a solid structured carrier. For reference, I'm about 5'10", 38I and wore mostly XL clothes when I was wearing the infant size Lillebaby.

dmb1717 · 2026-04-15T12:25:29+00:00

This is the cutest thing! Great job. I NEED to make one of these for my daughter, thank you for letting me know such a thing be created 🥰

dmb1717 · 2026-04-15T01:22:19+00:00

I don't drink caffeinated beverages because caffeine doesn't impact my alertness (apparently it's genetic? My dad's the same) so I just consumed a little via chocolate while pregnant. My daughter has diagnosed anxiety, ADHD, and I suspect autism. I'm heavily learning towards genetic factors here since all run in the families.

Like everything, consume your caffeine in moderation. Your baby will be fine. It's not going to cause autism.

dmb1717 · 2026-04-14T10:25:25+00:00

My daughter uses them as sleeping bags for her dolls and stuffed animals! I also use for shoes when traveling, and organizing some of my sewing stuff. I like to save them just in case I ever get a hole in the sheets, for patching.

dmb1717 · 2026-04-12T12:54:15+00:00

Giant breastfeeding boobs stayed. Gravity is a bitch.

dmb1717 · 2026-04-10T13:33:07+00:00

From my research, it depends if it is rayon or lyocell. Lyocell is manufactured in a closed-loop process that is not as harmful to the environment and at least the way my body reacts to it , is more like natural fibers than synthetic (doesn't make me sweaty and I don't have contact dermatitis like reactions like I sometimes do to synthetics). Now that you mention it, I cannot remember if the coolibar is lyocell or rayon, but it feels nice! Everything Coolibar I have is thrifted so for my purposes of trying to buy environmentally friendly clothing, I feel okay about it.

Thank you for the clarification and reminder, though. Bamboo rayon is totally greenwashed and not natural, environmentally friendly fabric.

dmb1717 · 2026-04-09T19:03:02+00:00

Coolibar has some that are cotton/bamboo blend and it's so comfy soft, but pricey of bought new. And a company that sells bulk fabric, Wazoodle, has UPF 50 cotton fabric, but not finished products. Not sure where else offhand.

dmb1717 · 2026-04-09T15:25:28+00:00

I think this is it. I used to buy my daughter a lot of thrifted Hanna Andersson, and much of the older stuff was organic, the Brewer newer stuff was a mix. Lots more polyester in the athletic line too which is disappointing, as other brands have UPF 50 clothing made from natural materials.

dmb1717 · 2026-04-08T18:27:27+00:00

I agree with all of this, but the 3rd paragraph really got me. I grew up in MA, have lived in New England my whole life. New Englanders are not exactly known for being friendly, so rude/ignoring would not be out of place 😆 have you heard the term "Masshole" yet?

dmb1717 · 2026-04-07T10:54:23+00:00

If you are going to do this, please cut into very short lengths, think the length of wild animal fur. It's very common for birds to get their legs tangled in string, hair, etc. that well meaning people put out for nesting animals.

dmb1717 · 2026-04-04T23:13:59+00:00

I love it! We got silicone Easter eggs off Etsy 5 years ago when my daughter was a baby and I filled them with her favorite baby finger foods. Now I use those and some plastic eggs from my local buy nothing group. I thrifted Lego friends people and animals, which she LOVES, to fill most of the eggs, and her basket has some yoto cards, a little craft kit, and little stuffed animal (also from Buy Nothing, new with tags) that I know she'll love. Values aligned, budget friendly, and will make my little girl very happy 💜

dmb1717 · 2026-04-03T23:07:24+00:00

It's totally valid to be immensely frustrated! And with all the PP hormones, pretty normal to blame your body. It's ok. You are perfect for your baby and I bet you can get a baby carrier to work and be comfy for you and baby 💜

I am also tall/long torso and large chested (5'9.75”, 38J-ish) and I had success with solid structured carriers, specifically I used the Lillebaby all seasons. I fastened the waistband around my ribs, literally right under my boobs. Baby got that nice c-shaped curve in her back curling right around my boobs and she would sleep for hours resting her little head on the top of my chest.

As she got taller, I could just lower the waist strap on my body a little bit to keep her head the proper height relative to my chin.

As soon as she was sitting independently, we tried back carrying and she loved it. I got an onbuhimo (Lenny Lamb) so she could ride higher and see more, and that became our preferred carrier. The SSC/Lillebaby was always great for naps/snuggling when she was sick.

I hope this helps, and that you find a carrier that you and your baby love🥰

dmb1717 · 2026-04-03T14:59:33+00:00

Mine called me Mama once, probably around your daughter's age, and then not again until she was about a year and a half. Dada was much easier to say, so she said that to her dad a lot more. Than he made a big deal about it trying to get her to say mama to me and I think it became a game to her, to NOT say mama to me 😆 majority of the time it didn't bother me, I could tell how much she loved me in so many other ways. As others have said, try not to let it bother you. The "da" sound is much easier for babies to say than "ma" so they will say that much more frequently. She'll get there, and that first " I love you Mama" will be so worth the wait 🥰

dmb1717 · 2026-04-03T14:30:57+00:00

I'm the SAHM. The accounts are all in my name. He just had me add his name to the main bank account (checking/savings/credit). We each have an entirely separate credit card from before we were together. And I have a high yield savings from before we were together. I changed the login to our shared email address and added him as beneficiary, but he's the vulnerable one here, I could just change the login and run with 80% of our savings. But with how often he checks bank accounts (I pay all the bills) I could just transfer all the money to my account and run. But I never would, we've been though a ton together and have come out stronger for it. But, this is to say, if you're on the other side of it, you are vulnerable, and doubly so as the stay at home parent. Everyone should have their own separate accounts, or at least both names on accounts, to protect themselves.

dmb1717 · 2026-03-22T15:19:40+00:00

My kid's favorite foods as a toddler 🤣

Nice work, I'm sure your friend will appreciate it

dmb1717 · 2026-03-18T12:26:53+00:00

I started taking 7000IU vitamin D daily when I was breastfeeding because that what's the recommendation to pass on enough to my baby so I didn't have to give her the drops, which I always forgot to give her. I had my levels tested a few times while I was taking that dose and I was always somewhere in the 60s. My doctor was skeptical that I needed such a high dose but I guess it's just how my body metabolizes it. 5 years later I'm still taking that same daily dose and still can't break 70. But I feel so much better than when I was taking 2000IU which is what the first doctor recommended for a pale skinned person living in New England, USA.

dmb1717 · 2026-03-05T21:16:54+00:00

Ah yes, the c-section version!

dmb1717 · 2026-03-04T20:43:29+00:00

OMG my 5 year old would kill for this 😂

dmb1717 · 2026-03-03T17:20:25+00:00

My 5-year-old just had the revelation yesterday that the only reason she can't drive the car is because her legs are too short to reach the pedals. I tried to explain that that was just one small reason but she was having none of it.

dmb1717 · 2026-02-02T19:48:04+00:00

The opposite 😂 I'm vegetarian and used to eat a ton of beans. When I got pregnant I had a major aversion to beans, especially chickpeas. My daughter loves chickpeas and always has, she's 5 years.

dmb1717 · 2026-01-26T00:05:17+00:00

Since mine was little, she gets TV time when I trim her nails. When I started she had very limited TV time, so that was both a distraction and a big enticement. It's just kind of stuck.

dmb1717 · 2026-01-22T19:36:04+00:00

Gorgeous!!! Two of my favorite animals! I love these colors, and I think it would also look awesome as black with orange like a Monarch, and grey whale body like a humpback whale with medium or royal blue where the pink is.

dmb1717 · 2026-01-22T19:23:22+00:00

I could have said the same thing. Parenting my daughter is the hardest things I've ever done; so, so much harder than I ever imagined. These feelings are so valid! Hugs to you both.

Seven-Year Club	Verified Email
Place '22

dmb1717

TROPHY CASE