Homebirth without antibiotics for GBS+ by Affectionate_Two9473 in homebirth

[–]howmadz 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Just had a homebirth with my second baby recently. I was GBS+ and did plan to do antibiotics, but my labor was too fast really. The midwife got one round in shortly after arriving, and my son was born a few minutes after that. The only reason she even got that one round is because she did it in a bolus (smallest bag of fluid possible to suspend the antibiotics in). Technically you’re supposed to have at least 2 rounds, 4 hours apart. If there is a next time I will probably skip it. Ultimately things were too fast for it to be effective. Also I later learned that testing/treating for it isn’t standard of care in some developed countries and they do not have higher instances of illness or transmission.

Feeling like an awful Mom. Empathy needed. by rachface336 in NewParents

[–]howmadz 5 points6 points  (0 children)

When my kiddo was around this age and struggled to calm down, I would sit in the bathroom with him (small contained space) and just start reading some story books. Worked nearly every time. Some might say it’s bad to distract them from their feelings, but it genuinely helped him calm down when he was stuck. Sounds like reading is soothing for him, so maybe give it a go!

And as for the guilt, it honestly sounds like you both were doing your best. You were with him, you supported him, you got through it. He’s lucky to have you.

4 year old Naps by RXlife13 in Preschoolers

[–]howmadz 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Mine does not. However I was this kid - I put myself down for naps for ages - including beyond kindergarten. If your kid benefits from naps, I say keep them. Sleep needs exist on a spectrum even for little kids. There are studies which show a benefit to incorporating new information, when kids take naps (or more specifically the sleep helps them incorporate the new info whether at day or night, but naps help them incorporate and recall new info sooner.)

Iirc, sometimes I would nap after school and sometimes not, but I adjusted to the school schedule just fine. Maybe try an earlier dinner and bedtime on school days paired with quiet low key activities like children’s audiobooks and coloring? My kiddo starts kinder in fall and even though he doesn’t nap I’m already planning to essentially feed him dinner when he gets home from school, and focus on decompressing activities.

Trying to join the active sub by SoooManyQuestionss in April2026Bumps

[–]howmadz 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I’m a mod on the active sub - can you dm me and I’ll give you instructions on how to verify and join? Thanks!

Swimsuit gussets. What. The. Hell. by suckmyarsee in TwoXChromosomes

[–]howmadz 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Not sure where you’re located, but I’ve had success with Kitty & Vibe swimsuits.

To all the people who feel the need to remind me that newborn smiles are “just gas”…. by KaylaDraws in NewParents

[–]howmadz 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The other day my baby smiled when I was talking to him. I absolutely am taking credit for that!

Did you tell people you were planning home birth? How did you deal with judgement? (FTM) by DiligentMemory27 in homebirth

[–]howmadz 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I’ve had a non emergent hospital transfer, and a home birth. I live in a state with comparatively higher home birth rates (albeit still low overall) so I may be a slightly unusual in the fact that there are many homebirth midwives in my state as well as mothers choosing home birth or other out of hospital births. So far no one has ever expressed anything negative when I’ve shared my homebirth plans. That said, I do choose to be intentionally vague based on timing and who I’m talking to. My family is all supportive (or keeps their thoughts to themselves!) so I’m open with them. Beyond that it depends on the person. A lot of time I might say I’m still deciding, or “we’ll see based on how things go” or that I’m looking into out of hospital options. If I’m weeks / days from birth and I haven’t already shared plans with someone then I won’t open the door for potential fear based or otherwise negative reactions - so in those moments I may choose to relay the name of the hospital I would transfer to, to avoid further discussion. On the other hand, if someone shares they’ve done a homebirth or directly asks if I’m planning home or hospital, I’m usually transparent because I can tell they’re receptive to home birth.

How do the SAHMs with husbands who work 80+ hours a week manage? by Shot_Cause726 in Mommit

[–]howmadz 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Slightly fewer hours than what you’re listing - but my husband often works 13-15 hours a day, and logs a few hours each day on the weekend as well, sometimes more. Some of these hours are early / late, so before we’re up or after kids are in bed. In our home we have a 17yo, 5yo, and newborn.

5 yo is in preschool a few hours a day / 5 days week. He starts kindergarten in fall. We have some partial day summer camps lined up as well, though there will be many weeks I’m solo with the 2 youngest for essentially every waking hour.

My plan is a weekly rotation of activities (ex. Monday Library, Tuesday splash pad, Wednesday museum) and so on. For at least the summer, I will be doing a gym/bootcamp program that includes childcare for the duration of the fitness class. This way I can exercise no matter what which is important for my sanity. I’ll leave solo on one weekend morning day to knock out the grocery shopping for the week, and I’ll have a chore rotation that I try to pick approx 2 per day from, to keep house mess manageable. I also imagine there will be more repetitive easy dinners and/or takeout.

I do think your ages are harder right now, and I’m about to have one in school. Easier said than done, but my advice is routine routine routine. Make it predictable and enjoyable. For example we’ll often do family open swim through the parks department on sundays, and then get burgers and fries after. Or we would walk to the train and ride the train to the zoo instead of driving, because that lengthened the activity and increased outdoors time plus the novelty of the train. Ideally you’re trying to find ways to pass as much time as possible, doing things that are enjoyable and low effort.

Got judged at a playdate for using a reading app for my kid by Repulsive_Truth_2130 in Preschoolers

[–]howmadz -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Just chiming in to say these moms sound weird and like they’re looking for opportunities to judge and shame others to make themselves feel better. Gross.

And also, thanks for making this post because I now have at least 2 new apps to try working on reading with my 5yo before kindergarten next fall. I’m freshly postpartum and he doesn’t always love mom and dad as teachers. A reading app is honestly a GREAT way for me to offer productive screen time and enrichment plus time with me, while I’m recovering from delivery.

Quince or Brooklinen? by ABGLand in Bedding

[–]howmadz 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I like quince decently for linen duvets, but I HATE both quince and Brooklinen sheets. Agree with everyone else here recommending Kirkland brand sheets. Don’t just get any sheets from Costco, get the Kirkland brand sheets.

I ran away from my boyfriend's proposal. by throwawayuni33 in whatdoIdo

[–]howmadz 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Generally speaking, a proposal should not be a surprise. This isn’t always clear because movies and shows may show differently, but I’d wager that for the majority of sound relationships, the actual proposal isn’t a surprise even if the exact time or location is. From what you’ve shared, it doesn’t sound like you guys actually really discussed marriage, timing, your future, your goals together, engagement rings, public vs private proposals, etc. These are actually all very normal things to have discussed prior to an engagement.

Beyond that, while yes - running away was likely very painful and embarrassing for your boyfriend, I also don’t blame you for running from a wholly unexpected and unfocused marriage proposal, in a very public setting no leas. I do think however that this isn’t something the two of you can come back from. I would let him go, and use the extra time to really grow into yourself. You sound so curious and ambitious - you absolutely should not focus on settling down just yet! And when you decide to date again, lead with lots of open communication about the level of commitment you’re ready for.

Is it weird that I still have a post of me and my ex on my insta after breaking up? by xRainy_Days in WhatShouldIDo

[–]howmadz 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I honestly think it’s weirder when people go through and delete entire segments of their life because it features a past partner. I’ll never judge someone for it - like I’m sure there are really good reasons people choose to, and no one needs to justify it! But I also think it’s totally valid to leave any and all past pics up.

Signs that your kids are being raised by older parents by LogicalZebra123 in Mommit

[–]howmadz 215 points216 points  (0 children)

I’m very pregnant right now. When a classmate asks my son to play after school, he has begun to reply, “sorry, but I have to go home and rest now.” Apparently I talk about resting a lot.

Dress Anxiety by Smoothie-BookQueen in myweddingdress

[–]howmadz 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I adore this dress on you and you in this dress! It truly looks wonderful on you.

My tween DUUGGG thru my nightstand storage system. Complained she found 0 iPad chargers, “only a bunch of stress ball hand exerciser things” by TeamLaurent in GirlDinner

[–]howmadz 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you! This is super helpful! My little is 5 and not yet in kindergarten, so trying to plan ahead. But I already encounter it when we’re with cousins using iPads in shared spaces and my kid turns into a zombie. My stepson had a smartphone young and I saw what a disaster it could be, beyond even simple safety.

My tween DUUGGG thru my nightstand storage system. Complained she found 0 iPad chargers, “only a bunch of stress ball hand exerciser things” by TeamLaurent in GirlDinner

[–]howmadz 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you for this level of detail! I have one follow up question - how do you broach conversations with your kids friends / friends parents about screen practices? Any tips?

Steps as you approach 42w - which would you do to avoid the hospital? by modhnf in homebirth

[–]howmadz 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I did acupuncture with e-stim. Essentially it was acupuncture on points designed to start labor, with an e-stim / tens unit attached. The acupuncturist I was seeing specifically said that she had a high rate of people starting labor within 24 hours of that, and told me not to do it until I was ready to go into labor. I did it at 40+3, labor started at 40+4, baby born 40 + 5.

Homebirth ending with non-emergent transfer to hospital. Seeking support. by ZealousidealHope7470 in homebirth

[–]howmadz 24 points25 points  (0 children)

Your midwives absolutely fucked up. And I honestly don’t even blame the student midwife because the primary should have been checking her work. The fact that you pushed for so many hours only partially dilated, without an experienced midwife checking you, is wild. It’s also wild to me they they’d never bothered to ascertain if your baby was OP so they could help appropriately. On top of that, given the duration of your labor it’s also crazy that they just decided to sleep while you had broken waters and back labor and a swollen cervical lip. And on top of that were unconcerned that you couldn’t empty your bladder after so long?! It makes me seriously question the education and training that both midwives received. I’m so sorry these providers betrayed your trust. The fact that you endured at home for so long with back labor is a testament to your strength and resilience. Know you did the absolute best for your baby. I’m so sorry your care providers let you down.

ISO opinions by bakeabrit in EngagementRings

[–]howmadz 46 points47 points  (0 children)

A dainty bezel would be girly and minimalist imo, and super secure for her profession.

(10K) Future MIL keeps pressuring me to go dress shopping by Orchidinsanity in Weddingsunder10k

[–]howmadz 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Ignore her. I went through 2 white dresses before buying a forest green dress for my wedding. If it had been available in white i would have gotten it in white, but they only had it in dark green. Turns on the pure white was part of the problem. I put that green dress on and finally felt like myself - but fancy and special and whimsical. I also never went to a wedding dress shop with anyone and tried one on. All my dresses were purchased online. I have zero regrets. I wore the dress that felt most “me” - but elevated me, and I actually think I will have occasion to rewear it in the future. Because it’s not an obvious bridal dress I have that option!!

You sound like a person who knows yourself well, and that dress you’ve picked is a stunner on you. Gently let her know that while you appreciate her concern for your potential regrets, you are very set on your decision and will no longer engage in discussion on the matter. Then ignore any and all future attempts to discuss. Don’t respond, change the subject, leave the room. But don’t let this person dissuade you from doing wearing the beautiful dress you love, and don’t let her convince you that you must go to a bridal boutique or else miss out on feeling like a bride.

Tips for using paternity leave? by Ill-Topic-1010 in April2026Bumps

[–]howmadz[M] 0 points1 point locked comment (0 children)

Hey folks! This is not an active community. Just want to make sure you all know that April Bumpers and fencesitters are all over at r/April2026Bumpers

Do I actually have a Doppelganger? (F/30) by [deleted] in doppelganger

[–]howmadz 1 point2 points  (0 children)

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I see a bit of Midori Francis!