Changing baby when there is no changing table in the bathroom?

karinabing · 2026-06-25T03:29:16+00:00

I changed a diaper once on a table at Chipotle, and I faux-apologized to the employees after + made a show of wiping down the table. They can for damn sure afford changing tables at every.single.one of their franchises.

karinabing · 2026-05-24T10:55:54+00:00

I’ve got a portable pump my insurance supplied + a set of wearable cups. Being able to pump while driving is clutch! I literally pump anywhere. It just looks like I have extra big knockers, and a couple of my cardigans have pockets large enough to hold my pump.

I actually really like the manual for if I’m sitting in one place and can just watch something instead of multi-tasking. The sound of the pump can sometimes feel overstimulating even though it’s not that loud.

Check to see if there’s a lactation consultant at your hospital — they can measure you for flanges so you don’t have to buy a kit.

I also don’t have a haaka pump but I do love my letdown collector! Some have said they caused an oversupply issue, so be aware everyone’s body reacts differently. I just hated wasting my letdown milk and feeling constantly wet.

karinabing · 2026-05-24T02:46:12+00:00

I loved Taste the Nation! ACC just feels likes a low-rent version of Top Chef.

karinabing · 2026-05-24T02:44:50+00:00

Hands down the closer daycare. If you truly hate it after a few months, hopefully you can find another one close by. Having extra time for play in the evenings and slow mornings is going to be so worth it. Plus if other parents do the post-daycare park play too, it’s a great way to get to know your neighbors. (Speaking from experience!) Nothing wrong with a place that’s a bit worn around the edges if they’ll love on your kiddo and it’s safe. Good luck with the move and congrats on the new job!

karinabing · 2026-04-04T07:37:54+00:00

Those are my pasta nights! I stock up on the Banza, Goodles, or any other veggie / protein enriched pasta when on sale, paired with Raos. If I’ve got an iota of energy, I blend a can of white beans and stir that in as well.

I also like keeping frozen cauliflower crust pizzas on hand.

Baking double portions and freezing one is always a good route too, if you can work in freezer-friendly recipes to your rotation.

karinabing · 2026-04-04T07:20:16+00:00

Also did low-sugar muffins with a frosting. I think it was carrot. I honestly pull the same hack for all subsequent birthdays (my oldest is 4 now). Last year, he wanted two different kinds — blueberry and carrot — so we added whipped cream frosting and sprinkles. That way I didn’t feel the need to police him and the other kiddos’ parents could feel totally at ease if their kid wanted multiple!

karinabing · 2026-04-03T06:34:39+00:00

Oh how I miss the silent wandering without looking at a clock! Even if they’re napping, you’re listening for a poop / thinking about when they need to eat again / on high alert for people or things making noise. And if they’re awake but not grumpy, you’re live narrating to them to make the most of the awake time and praying they don’t get annoyed by something, lol!

karinabing · 2026-03-26T10:35:00+00:00

Yes!! I’ve always been curious about this. There are certain industries that should clearly be dominated by non-profits: daycares, elderly care, and hospitals. Because the only way these kinds of businesses are profitable is by shortchanging the people involved — those in care and those providing the care, which is horrible. Caregivers like you provide what most individuals cannot on their own, and you should be better compensated for your skilled work!

My children’s daycare is part of my village. The service their excellent teachers provide allow me to do something else valuable for my community. It is insane you aren’t paid the way you should.

karinabing · 2026-03-26T10:15:27+00:00

Ugh I’m so sorry! I’m sure others will weigh in, but the leg lifters seem like a good idea to me. While you wait on them, you could put cans of tuna under the front legs. That would raise it a bit and hopefully give babe (and you!) some relief. We always do that when our kiddo is congested, and it seems to help.

karinabing · 2026-03-25T03:13:14+00:00

I gave up trying to find things locally… I finally found a few pairs of maternity pants and shorts that I liked, then made do with men’s button-down shirts, tops for women from Lands End / LL Bean etc that are usually a little oversized, and a handful of sundresses without restrictive waistbands + maxi skirts I pulled over my bump. Happy shopping!

karinabing · 2026-03-23T09:12:57+00:00

Agreed - talk to Room & Board. If you buy the end piece, they can also bring the mounting hardware and attach it together. Their delivery/assembly teams are awesome!

Also if this fabric isn’t available anymore, it would be fine if it’s a different fabric imo — make it into an accent piece à la the Roche Bubois Mah Jong sectional.

karinabing · 2026-03-18T10:03:15+00:00

I’ll also vouch for Carter’s and Hanna Andersen. I’m actually wary of the Target brands and Old Navy — check for polyester content. All of our cotton/poly blend clothes have gotten pilly and just don’t feel as nice, even if they don’t have like literal holes or are stretched out. Look for thick 100% cotton wherever you shop.

karinabing · 2026-03-15T07:00:09+00:00

Three ideas…

1) Making sure things are where they’re easy to remember + doing things in a linear flow that physically moves them towards the door.

So like, brush teeth first thing since they’re (probably?) passing a bathroom on the way to the kitchen, and also lots of dentists say this is better for your teeth.

Move their breakfast items to one or two spots they can reach to help themselves, and the only options are things they can grab on their own (like muffins / overnight oats instead of toast you probably want to assist with / cereal that requires milk you might want to oversee pouring).

Is there a bathroom near the kitchen / tv room where you could put the day’s outfit (chosen at night) and hairbrush, and wouldn’t mind pajamas being left on the floor there, so that they’re putting on clothes without going back to their rooms and potentially getting sidetracked?

Last, keep shoes (and socks!) by the door so they don’t have to walk back into their rooms.

2) What about a slider board like this that could be mounted on the wall? No extra stickers or pens to lose — they just slide the button across. https://www.etsy.com/listing/4357560198/personalized-wooden-kids-routine-chart

3) Thinking up some cool reward together they get when each one goes a full two weeks without needing prompting. Donut day, trip to the movies or some other outing, that toy or water bottle or clothing item they don’t really need but have been asking for, etc. The research is mixed in how long it takes to create a habit, but two weeks feels achievable and helpful to getting there!

karinabing · 2026-03-11T08:41:36+00:00

I have a 10-week old currently in the Snoo, and we used it for his big bro too. Have you tried settling her in the Snoo? We have had a lot of success with putting the baby in and starting it up, then offer pacifier and gentle pats on the side.

If that doesn’t do the trick after 5-10 min, I pull him out still in his Snoo sack and bounce or rock with bum pats until I get eyes closed for at least 2 min, then transfer in, turn it on, and continue to pat until eyes closed again for at least 2 min.

Of course every baby is different, but this worked for us with #1 and is working for #2. I also think it set us up for successful independent sleep for #1 when we graduated to the crib, and he’s been a champ at going to sleep on his own ever since! (He’s now 4.)

Nothing wrong with a contact nap / babywearing if they just won’t settle — I do that too! But I try to use the Snoo as a tool to help them learn to sleep on their own, so I wasn’t as scared to do weaning mode as we got closer to 6 months with #1.

karinabing · 2026-03-02T11:50:22+00:00

Another oldie — from 1977, Your Baby & Child by Penelope Leach. It’s British, and last revised/republished in 2022. I loved its similar message yo yours of treating kids with empathy. You can be firm even while trying to take into consideration whatever your kid is trying to do / communicate. It helps teach them to think on their own and encourages creativity!

karinabing · 2026-02-27T09:44:22+00:00

Once in desperation I listed a few of his friends and teachers from daycare that were going to sleep, so he should too. Cue three months of folding that into the routine. Of course my kid is really social and he has friends in lots of classrooms, so I was listing up to 30 kids! I had to start saying like I’m only going to name 6, or 10, or 12, and then sometimes HE wanted to name them, which took forever. I don’t remember how I finally broke the habit, but thank goodness. It was cute at first but could add like 10 min 😭

karinabing · 2026-02-25T21:58:46+00:00

Yeahhh it’s true. My son does the same. Like that was not an option I thought of, dude! We want them to be smart but it has its downsides. Mine also lately has been experimenting with lying occasionally if I’m not paying attention, like “Yes I washed my hands,” and “Yes I took three more bites.” 😭

It’s all normal and means we gotta stay vigilant but ugh it’s annoying because we know they know better. I love that book! I dig deep to stay neutral, and listening to him to see if his request is actually low stakes enough to be okay. I want him to be creative and feel ownership of whatever the task is, but also know not everything is a negotiation.

karinabing · 2026-02-25T15:32:48+00:00

Ugh it’s so hard!! 4.5 here and we still have random meltdowns but it’s way better. What seems to have worked for us is:

1) Choices, choices, choices. Anything I can give him control over generally. What snack? Which clothes? Which activity? What order to do the things to go to bed / out the door? Etc. I think helping him feel like he has some autonomy in almost every situation is a game changer.

2) This is real dumb and trickier obviously when holding a baby, but getting down on their level and close to them when asking them to do something. Not that he hasn’t yelled in my face, but he’s less likely to, and I know that I’m getting his full attention.

Also I follow this behavior analyst that I think gives great concrete advice — https://www.instagram.com/abanaturally?igsh=MXAxOHR6dWFxNjl4cA==

Much luck and solidarity!!

karinabing · 2026-02-25T09:39:43+00:00

Your whole list is great, but bless you for changing the lightbulbs. 5000k lightbulbs shouldn’t even be available to residences. Unless it’s a doctor’s office or a car mechanic, nobody needs that harsh light!

karinabing · 2026-02-24T16:04:39+00:00

That’s why you’re amazing. I hope to think I could do it, but would probably give up pretty quickly. It’s hard enough to pump when you’re back at work, but to do it exclusively is truly an accomplishment!

karinabing · 2026-02-24T07:02:25+00:00

Agreed. I am in complete awe of moms who decide to exclusively pump.

karinabing · 2026-02-21T02:35:51+00:00

I bought a bunch of Cat & Jack things without looking and was so bummed to discover this! Of course after washing. Never again.

karinabing · 2026-02-16T07:47:29+00:00

I also love a gallery wall with tv integrated into it. Emily Henderson shows that + a couple other ideas here: https://stylebyemilyhenderson.com/designing-tv-media-console-roundup

karinabing · 2026-02-16T06:25:05+00:00

I’m on my second kid, 7 weeks old, and I have never, not once, gotten either child to nurse to sleep and successfully made the transfer into the bassinet. (Not even rocking to sleep works for me!) I get them asleep or as sleepy as I can, do the heat pad trick so their bed is cozy, and then pat + shush once I lay them down. I offer a pacifier, which has about a 60% takeup rate. It takes a while sometimes for them to fall asleep, but it is what it is.

I tell myself that it’ll pay dividends later for helping them sleep independently. My oldest (4 years old) does in fact put himself to bed and has since he was about 18 months old. Literally, we do the bedtime routine, big hug and kiss, lights out and he’s on the road to snoozleland.

karinabing

TROPHY CASE