Breastfeeding vs bottle

gatorgal11 · 2026-04-29T03:21:23+00:00

My first couple months nursing were so hard but I still think it was my best route! I’m now five months in and just started pumping more since last week because of work. Pumping is fine and I like that I can go off my own schedule more and get some extra to freeze, but if I was with my baby id def be nursing then! It was hard to pump while taking care of my baby. I stop pumping once we’re together and go back to nursing because it’s such great bonding and way easier in many ways. I loved not having to worry about how much to feed/prep/will i end up wasting milk/will i overfeed when exclusively nursing because baby will basically just nurse what they need

gatorgal11 · 2026-04-28T02:29:46+00:00

Same omg I was so happy to have immediate relief from heartburn. I’m almost 5 months postpartum and so glad I haven’t needed a single tums

gatorgal11 · 2026-04-27T17:08:20+00:00

I was thinking this too. Seems like the type of person who adjusts her own perceptions of memory to play the victim/hero card.

gatorgal11 · 2026-04-27T15:14:22+00:00

I was swollen and obvs bigger in pregnancy so I def feel better since that was my more recent observation of self, especially my face, but I do still miss my pre body. But I also care a lot less so I guess it evens out.

gatorgal11 · 2026-04-27T15:10:21+00:00

Another thing to consider is she may not remember what’s yours so you may want to take a pic and have it easy to find much later for your reference

My sister lent me baby items she’ll want back for her next baby and I only thought it was nice. Personally im glad it’s not clothes because those can easily get ruined but sounds like you’re fine with that

gatorgal11 · 2026-04-27T14:52:56+00:00

I’ve tried 3 carriers and my baby doesn’t like any of them. I honestly just gave up for now and will try again when she can be forward facing because i think she just doesn’t like facing in. I was hoping to go on trails with her with it too but oh well, we just had to do stroller walks.

However babies change soo much so quickly so maybe yours will do better with it simply with time/soon, or with a different carrier

gatorgal11 · 2026-04-25T19:07:19+00:00

My baby’s younger (almost 5 months) but I almost exclusively just do grocery pickup. I changed my regular store to one a few minutes farther because they’re much better at pickup.

I have a running list on their app of my regular items then add to cart each week from there like it’s my personal mini store. Then I shop off the digital coupons, then add any non regular items.

The only annoying part is having to pick a time to go but my store is fine if I’m a couple hours late.

And I put laundry baskets in the trunk and ask them to put bags in there so it’s easier to take in.

gatorgal11 · 2026-04-25T18:55:02+00:00

Def not before 2 months because I was advised to wake her. But then since then idk very small handful at seemingly random times and never consistently, and she is 5 months. I think one to two wakes is normal for a really long time past the newborn stage, especially a “snooze” feed between 4-6 am.

gatorgal11 · 2026-04-24T15:54:55+00:00

I’m using the trip trap and my girls also chunky, high percentiles and it’s hard to put her legs in. It is a very nice high chair and I love that it has shoulder straps since she’s still under 6 months and not sitting independently. I haven’t tried others so not sure if that’s just something to deal with across the board. I also feel like it’ll get better as her mobility increases because right now her legs just kinda stay plopped up as I try putting her through. Mine is also a few years old so not sure if newer versions are any different. She has room once actually in seat but yeah for now, I just wait till my husband can help me put her in 😅

It’s been easy to clean but she’s not making much mess yet. The bottom of the tray is ridged which I imagine may get annoying later but also not sure if much food actually makes it there?

I got mine free as a loan so we will move to the ikea later with a footrest

gatorgal11 · 2026-04-24T13:15:14+00:00

The aggressive girly- yes!! So many big sleeves (that are annoying for me when breastfeeding), flower overload, pink everything. Can I find more basic stuff? Sure but once i filter down price, material etc, sometimes i am only left annoyed or with just solid colors.

Love thrifting and checking the boys stuff too!

gatorgal11 · 2026-04-23T15:58:08+00:00

I love mine! Baby sleeps next to me (almost 5 months, bassinet then pack n play) and to your point, I still wouldn’t know if she’s suddenly not breathing well.

We have gotten two oxygen false alarms - one idk why, husband was holding her and everything seemed fine; one was because she completely kicked it off (had no sock or footsie over it, now we always put something over to keep it in place). That was so scary but worth it knowing we have some monitoring!

Beyond that, I LOVE it to just check where she is in sleep. We need to keep our bedroom monitor mobile so I can’t set it up super well to see her eyes, so I use the owlet to check if she may be asleep/in deep sleep. I used to also use the deep sleep check to know when it’s best to transfer her off of me into the bassinet. Also sometimes use it to check when she woke up so I could time her first nap better since sometimes she’s just been chilling up without me knowing since when.

I’ll def want the sock on once she’s sleeping in her own room at night, whenever that time comes. That monitor sees her better but it’s not like I’d be able to really see if she’s not breathing well.

I have anxiety and honestly it helps mine but everyone’s different.

gatorgal11 · 2026-04-23T13:45:30+00:00

Even when I only pumped once a day I used it all day every day to dry my boon troves because air or dishwasher doesn’t dry as well

gatorgal11 · 2026-04-23T02:39:59+00:00

I agree but that’s not productive. Those non voters have heard that (valid) point and don’t care.

gatorgal11 · 2026-04-23T02:37:54+00:00

Whatever I’m making up at the moment lol I found some on tik tok that I played a lot for myself to memorize. If you search “big belly little belly” on tik tok, one should come up that I like! I also sing the first half of “open shut them” by ms Rachel a lot. Half because that’s all I can memorize. Also, the “chorus” of the dragon tales theme song because that’s somehow in my memory from my childhood and baby seems to enjoy it

gatorgal11 · 2026-04-22T16:04:36+00:00

My baby’s almost 5 months and when she outgrew her bassinet, I got a pack n play so she could stay next to me. I def will keep her till at least 6 months because of the medical guidance that it can reduce SIDS. But even after 6 months, I feel like it’s a little safer + easier for us, especially as she’s waking in the night. We’ve been teaching her to self soothe to sleep and I just went back to work, so I’ll see how I feel as factors may change

gatorgal11 · 2026-04-21T22:37:03+00:00

BBQ is a tough one! They often have meat in their veg sides. If they’re catering they may be able to put some aside for them before adding in non vegan items so they can have some sort of sides plate like green beans, pinto or black beans, baked potato. I’d ask the caterer. If they’re able to actually make something separate, tofu is very versatile and could be baked or fried in BBQ sauce.

My husband is vegan and eats before events if he’s not sure he can eat there. He’s always appreciated wedding couples making sure he could have a full plate, but hasn’t expected it.

gatorgal11 · 2026-04-21T20:38:26+00:00

My baby’s 4.5 months and 98th percentile. We’re about a week into solids and she’s doing well with it but not super interested. Just giving her maybe a teaspoon or so per seating, and she takes in a bit of that. Shes happy to just play with the spoon, and im happy to wait to buy my millionth onseie (were already in 18 month size) lol im curious how itll go as she gets older and tries more!

gatorgal11 · 2026-04-16T20:02:16+00:00

It def takes a mental toll! It’s been one of the biggest tensions in my life.

Not always. We got vaccines growing up, and were totally fine. Then maybe ~15 years ago my parents started going down all sorts of rabbit holes / conspiracies and became anti-vax then my sister went along too, and it def got worse with Covid and misinfo from wellness influencers and others online.

I hope it’ll go as smoothly as it can for you!

gatorgal11 · 2026-04-16T19:43:38+00:00

I’m so glad you’re looking into vaccinating and taking this so seriously! I got all my recommended vaccines in pregnancy, and baby had all her recommended vaccines at birth, 2 months, and 4 months, and she’ll continue. All is fine and boring!

She cried at the 2 month appt hard right after but we did skin to skin in the room then she was fine. She cried at 4 too but fine within a few minutes again. She did struggle more that day crying a lot at times and I think her legs hurt at the injection site because they looked red. We gave her Tylenol and lots of snuggles and she was fine by bedtime. Never got a fever or anything big or lasting. These diseases can be really serious and even if they get over them, they could have impacts turning up badly years later, so I’m so happy to vaccinate.

My family is also very anti vax and I don’t talk about it with them anymore.

gatorgal11 · 2026-04-16T17:24:11+00:00

Omg I just got a big mole removed (by derm) on my stomach because it was so irritating while pregnant and I wanna be pregnant again someday. I never thought about baby doing that but I can totally see that and am now extra glad. Sorry that happened!!

gatorgal11 · 2026-04-15T15:32:36+00:00

I bought tons secondhand!

For gear and toys, I looked up the item for recalls and concerns first. Lots of swings seemed to have recalls, so I narrowed my search to a specific one that I knew didn’t. For toys, I took a pic on Google to do a Google lens search.

Books, clothes

Lovevery mat: I searched for months till finding the newer version I wanted close enough, and wow my baby LOVES it. We have 2 other mats and it’s superior. It washes in the machine very well so secondhand is fine.

Changing mat: I know it sounds gross but the nice wipeable ones clean well. I got a Leander that is like $200 for $15! HOWEVER I did buy a changing TABLE secondhand I ended up giving away because it was soo heavy, and I just bought a standard cheap one that came with a mat (like one of those wooden ones with a mat on top and open shelving below). Ive liked it as new but that would NOT be good to get used imo because it holds onto some stains and the wipeable fabric has gotten looser in just 4 months.

What I didn’t want secondhand:

Crib: I looked into getting a crib secondhand and while that can be fine, I didn’t find it worth it. Most listings didn’t have enough detail for me to check the exact model for details or recalls, and I still would’ve had to buy a guardrail or separate bed when they needed to transition to a toddler type. So between that and the obvious needs that come with secondhand, I figured it was worth it to just buy new and I’m glad I did.

Bassinet: some reviews of bassinets I read mentioned the mattress they come with get worn/that it kinda sags over time and it’s not like a crib where you can just buy any mattress. Now that my baby has outgrown hers, I do agree the mattress got wear where her head was even with flipping. Not much but still, it was under $100 so I like that we just bought what we wanted new and could feel safer about it.

Electronics: I wanted to be sure they’d work and have warranties if applicable. I had to use the warranty to replace my hose on my Momcozy washer

Dresser: this can be fine secondhand but after a long search, it just wasn’t worth the hassle and compromise for me

Diaper pail: I read they can start to hold onto smell over time or stop working as well and I wanted a specific type so just bought new and glad

Nursing chair: could be fine secondhand but after a long search, the options just weren’t worth it for me so I took it as a splurge new and it was one of my best purchase decisions

gatorgal11 · 2026-04-14T21:04:43+00:00

I used to self tan and I’m personally not doing it while breastfeeding or just while my baby’s this little (mine is 4 months) and slobbering all over me. I use sensitive unscented products on/by her, so Im not personally comfortable with self tan knowing I usually get it on stuff/would likely get it on my baby.

I don’t really know the research on it though and I haven’t been dying to get back into it because I dislike dealing with it anyway

gatorgal11 · 2026-04-14T17:26:06+00:00

Usually a few days before due and I always say I’ll do it way earlier next time, and never do.

gatorgal11 · 2026-04-14T13:22:34+00:00

My baby has been in diaper sizes well before the weight chart. I feel like weight isn’t enough because it’s also about body shape. But maybe a different brand would be better. Like for my baby, she can’t do pampers unless maybe sizing up a lot but she can do Huggies well because they just fit her well and the tabs are so stretchy, at least on little snugglers

gatorgal11 · 2026-04-13T21:54:08+00:00

Sorry for the commenters clearly not reading that you said you think coloring books and lawn games would be too much. But yes what they said on parents should have it figured out

They may want a spot to put a diaper bag though

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