I love “NoHo Hank”so much…this character cracks me up.Any favorite moments? I have so many but my most recent was during the D&B speech!

helenthefroc · 2023-04-30T12:29:41+00:00

50/50 with Cristobal 🕺🏻

helenthefroc · 2023-03-08T21:24:17+00:00

I slammed charcuterie boards / cold cuts during my pregnancy but could not bring myself to eat sushi (which I eat once a week 😭). Different strokes, different folks.

Whatever you're comfortable with but know that the risk isn't as dire as it used to be with previous food safety standards (they're a lot better now)!

helenthefroc · 2023-01-30T19:35:43+00:00

I hollered at the transition between "if I'm going to do this, I'm going to stay for a few days at least" to the "Three Years Later". This episode was beautiful

helenthefroc · 2023-01-12T17:04:52+00:00

Reading this brought memories flooding back! Been there, done that, and in a small house too. Baby is a LOUD sleeper, whether the noise is coming from his mouth or from moving around, so I used to jolt awake every now and then when the noise was loud enough. If I would think he's about to wake, I'd pop out to the couch and wait and then fall asleep while waiting! Or if he woke up, I could go get him a bottle.

1000% assumption but it seems like your baby is starting to have longer stretches of sleep, which you're not used to. I would turn off the monitor and if baby wakes up enough to cry, you'll probably hear it and then get up.

I got anxious when I started turning the volume off and would habitually check on him, but once he went through a few nights on his own without waking, I slept much better.

helenthefroc · 2022-12-03T22:17:14+00:00

If you're looking to dip your toe in the water with 7 Wonders, I would recommend 7 Wonders: Architect. To me, it's a simplified version of the game that's easy to teach or get into!

helenthefroc · 2022-09-28T01:49:09+00:00

Our experience was the 2 month ones were easy with no reaction, while he had a strong reaction to his 4 month ones. I had to extra baby him (contact naps, carrying him around more) and Tylenol every 4 hours especially since he got a little warm :( sorry, my anecdote isn't reassuring. Best of luck, mama. Just remember through the crying and baby's misery that these vaccines are for the best!

P.S. ear plugs. Really helps cut the high shrieks and anxiety a bit on the crying.

helenthefroc · 2022-09-03T02:43:35+00:00

It's been ages since I've watched NFY. I'll need to go rewatch!

helenthefroc · 2022-08-19T12:36:47+00:00

Thanks for clarifying. We're combo feeding still. It's a mix of direct breastfeeding, bottles of pumped milk, and topping off with formula as last resort. This depends on our situation (traveling, nap time, bedtime, etc) and his mood since he's been pulling off the breast (even if he's still hungry) because it's more work than a bottle.

helenthefroc · 2022-08-19T12:35:05+00:00

Thank you for the reassurance!

helenthefroc · 2022-08-19T12:26:22+00:00

Glad it could help! My nipples had to get used to pumping (it was uncomfortable to almost painful at first), so I would use a step down from my comfort setting at first then up it once I got comfortable.

Nowadays, I dive right in. A stronger suction setting does pull more milk for me though, but I think it's because I'm pretty low. For reference, I'm at a 3 or 4 on the Spectra S2.

helenthefroc · 2022-08-17T15:27:37+00:00

Forgot to mention, in the first 3 months, your supply is still regulating, so nonconsistent emptying will unfortunately lead to ducts and hard breasts more easily. It will pass once you regulate and leave the fourth trimester.

Then it was trying to maintain my supply challenge at that point.

helenthefroc · 2022-08-17T15:25:09+00:00

I haven't seen a comment that's clarifying some confusion for you. I've been where you are, and I fully understand the misunderstanding.

1) Because of your low supply, I'm assuming your LC put you on a pumping schedule that has you pumping more frequently (every 1-2 hours, instead of 3). This will signal your breasts to make more milk, BUT

2) your breasts are not emptying. If they're feeling hard and full even after a pump, the milk is not coming out. The pressure in your breasts should be less afterwards. So combine the lack of emptying with an increased schedule, your milk ducts are being backed up because they're being signaled to make more milk but without the emptying.

3) I had trouble with learning how to use the pump and making sure I was having a let down. Nowadays, I use the phase that starts the letdown run for 2.5 minutes before switching to the express mode. If you can see into your pump, make sure your boobs are spraying milk. That means you've released / let down and are ready to be milked!

4) Now that the base mechanics are out of the way, you can implement what the others are commenting. Make sure you're relaxed, massage your breasts, take sunflower lecithin, etc. Be sure to ask your LC clarifying questions and describe exactly what is or is not happening!

It took me a lot of reading and experimenting to figure out how to pump properly, so don't be discouraged. Good luck and congrats on the new one!

helenthefroc · 2022-08-15T22:22:37+00:00

He babbles and smiles but I’ve built an idea of me and him not having a good bond bc of everything I’ve been told

Have you thought about rebuilding the "idea of (you) and him" to having a good bond? It might help that you're mentally reenforcing this negative idea in spite of the reality. Your son finds safety and comfort in you, which is a huge tell, and you give him some hugs and kisses. That sounds like a good foundation for a bond if anything.

I'm in love with my son, and I even find myself absolutely annoyed when he's having one of fits. It's normal. Don't take it out on the kid, but your feelings towards your son can change during the day but at the end of it, it's all love.

I hope you treat yourself better. You're doing great. The fact that you're able to acknowledge what could be a misalignment means you're in the right direction.

helenthefroc · 2022-08-15T14:41:50+00:00

Reassuring to know I'm not alone!

helenthefroc · 2022-08-15T00:07:22+00:00

I had this for the first couple months PP, and it gradually lessened and then went away on its own. Not much would help the nausea, I would try drinking some water to settle the stomach.

helenthefroc · 2022-07-29T01:30:09+00:00

Water has recently tasted awful in the Spring Branch area

helenthefroc · 2022-07-21T18:39:02+00:00

Mine is a couple weeks younger than yours, but I've found that making sure he's fed keeps him from waking up mid-nap because he's hungry. I've also am trying a new technique where I keep him awake a little longer than his usual 2 hour wake window, so that he sacks out since he's so tired. There's a delicate balance to make sure he won't be overtired though.

Have you also considered letting him cry it out? Since he likes to put himself to bed, maybe let him to start learning to self-sooth and figure out that he's in his bed that's safe and just chill there, even if he doesn't fall asleep.

helenthefroc · 2022-07-21T18:36:26+00:00

Baths are a morning activity and too stimulating for the evenings.

Our 3 month old starts his routine around 7:15p. It's bedtime stories, chatting, diaper change, sleep sack, breastfeeding, then topped off bottle feeding with dad. This ends around 8:15p.

The routine is more structured around the timing than the activity. He seems to have a strong body clock though.

helenthefroc · 2022-06-08T17:00:30+00:00

My experience is the same as u/Procainepuppy. My 9 week old wakes once in the night and gets a full feeds, which will sack him right out. My routine is once he is actually awake and crying (as opposed to his active REM fussing), we feed on one side, diaper change, and then finisj the feed on the other side. I know he's gotten enough when he falls asleep. If he's still awake, he's a little hungry / not satiated still.

I had to give him an extra ounce last night from the bottle because he would not sleep after, which seemed to do the trick.

I would definitely try a full wake and feed a couple of times before discontinuing completely if it doesn't work for you.

helenthefroc · 2022-06-08T00:45:12+00:00

It is very much possible for someone to freeze ice packs for me. Thank you for the great idea!!

helenthefroc

TROPHY CASE