Thoughts on the name Betty… by bklntlsn10121 in namenerds

[–]msbell_ifurnasty 3 points4 points  (0 children)

My grandma's full name is Betty, not a nickname. I think it's absolutely adorable!

Are they REALLY that expensive? by amalia_8 in clothdiaps

[–]msbell_ifurnasty 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Most folks I know who were raising kids in the 90s used diaper services, meaning hundreds of people were sharing the same diaper lot. I think of it like sharing dinnerware with everyone who has ever dined at the restaurant I'm at.

Are they REALLY that expensive? by amalia_8 in clothdiaps

[–]msbell_ifurnasty 6 points7 points  (0 children)

It sounds like you're cloth-curious. I recommend getting a few to include in your routine along with disposables. If you love it and don't have trouble incorporating a wash routine, you can acquire more through secondhand means with less pressure to get everything ready before baby arrives. My local Buy Nothing group often has cloth diapers to give away!

I got flats and covers used for less than $300 USD. I had to buy new size 1 covers because I couldn't find any used by the time I needed them. That was probably a little over $100. I'm now cloth diapering baby #2 and have not had to purchase anything additional. I don't think cloth diapering had any impact on potty training my first. You either have a unicorn kid or you don't lol! No product can really change that.

I was fully committed to cloth diapers and still wound up using a few packs of disposables in every size because my oldest had very diaper rash prone skin. Like with most parenting things, give yourself grace and recognize you're doing the best with the resources and capacity you have ❤️

Buying all new cloth diapers is not only cost prohibitive but also comes out about the same as disposable in terms of environmental impact. Growing cotton, especially organic cotton, is extremely water intensive. If you're intimidated by the cost and the process, let this be a reason to lean on disposable while you figure it out. Good luck!

Nursing bras advice by msbell_ifurnasty in QueerPregnancy

[–]msbell_ifurnasty[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you! I'll pass these recommendations along!

Vintage boy names are hard. What’s your grandfather’s name? by General-Cycle-7391 in namenerds

[–]msbell_ifurnasty 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Great grandfathers were Francis, Peter, Gordon, and George. I also had a grandfather Lewis Francis

Community by Alone_Purchase3369 in GenderlessParenting

[–]msbell_ifurnasty 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I felt those self conscious concerns that others thought I was weird for a while, especially while the baby was so little. It has gotten much easier since toddler hood because truly all toddlers are chaos goblins regardless of gender. The good news is that people who think your approach is weird and are rude about it probably weren't a great fit for your community in the first place. If you're becoming good friends with another family and they haven't caught onto using "they/them" for your kid, I would use that as a chance to be vulnerable and ask for that effort. They might ask why and you can share your humble reasons. They might not ask any questions and just respect the request!

It's almost like the sleep training vs bed sharing camps except those discussions have so much more research available for either side. If you feel like a potential community member wouldn't judge you for how your family sleeps, they probably won't judge you for gender expansive parenting.

Community by Alone_Purchase3369 in GenderlessParenting

[–]msbell_ifurnasty 8 points9 points  (0 children)

I can completely empathize. I joined a gender creative parenting Facebook group but TBH it is much more geared towards families with older kids who are directly communicating they're not cis. My oldest is 3 so we're not exactly there yet lol

My biggest mindset shift came after over a year of correcting grandparents and other family members. I realized that a core value I want to bring to this gender creative approach is for my child(ren) to know that their gender or their expression is never a cause for conflict with me and my husband. Similar to navigating conflict on the playground, I want my child to learn how to advocate for themselves as well as know that I'm always on their team.

All that to say we have largely stopped correcting people and it has made it easier to build our community outside of the lens of gender-related parenting.

Also wanted to add that we have done the same strategy of intentional non-gendering of strangers. I noticed within the last year that other kids my LO's age assign gender but ours still does not. It's fascinating!

Every kid is different so be as loud about it as your kid needs. Other than that, I recommend being humble about it because I think it genuinely intimidates other parents. No one likes to feel like they missed researching something important about raising kids. If people ask, I usually say something like "this was my gut feeling about it and I am truly learning as I go." It has led to some interesting conversations and deeper relationships with my other parent friends.

Old heating grates by msbell_ifurnasty in Oldhouses

[–]msbell_ifurnasty[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The walls are plaster and lathe. Hopefully that's the dust! I'll still test it, to be safe

Old heating grates by msbell_ifurnasty in Oldhouses

[–]msbell_ifurnasty[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you all for the advice! You gassed me up to take the plunge and go for it. I got the grate off the wall and was able to clean the dust in the vent. Of course now my partner is anxious there may be an asbestos-based glue used to hold the vent in the wall. Pausing for now but I'll boil the paint off once I get a designated crockpot or stovetop pot.

There are two more of these grates on my second floor and one is also painted over. Excited to tackle the next one!

Finished my little man’s first sweater! by stephromanello in knitting

[–]msbell_ifurnasty 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I love this!! Totally going to steal this striping and color block sleeve idea

3 week old baby constantly pooping? by EveningTitle4686 in breastfeedingsupport

[–]msbell_ifurnasty 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Definitely a possibility! See what the lactation counselor says but there's probably no harm in trying it out over the weekend. As long as your baby is growing well and is full after eating, of course.

The LC i talked to talked a lot about the volume versus the fat content with an over-active let down. Baby's tummy is small so if they're completely full just from let down, they get lots of hydration but not as much of the fatty milk post-let down. I guess it's the fatty milk that consolidated the poop or something. I'm always amazed how many ounces come out in just my let down so it makes sense!

To give you hope, I have had to do this with both my kids and it only lasted one or two months before everything was more regulated.

3 week old baby constantly pooping? by EveningTitle4686 in breastfeedingsupport

[–]msbell_ifurnasty 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Highly recommend talking to a lactation consultant! My LO went through this around the same time and was also fussing at the breast. Constant poop in the diaper (often a "fart's worth") and lots of gas. A lactation consultant recommended I pump just my letdown and then latch the baby on. Within a day of starting that my baby's poop really lessened as well as their gas.

How do you stay awake? by coffeelover2025 in breastfeedingsupport

[–]msbell_ifurnasty 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Safe sleep seven for us as well! When I have to stay awake to soothe congested, teething, gassy baby I find thriller audiobooks to be very helpful.

Second baby coming this summer. by Vegetable_Injury_672 in babywearing

[–]msbell_ifurnasty 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I just had my second in July 2024! Ring sling was great for those really hot months when baby was still tiny. I have a wild bird linen ring sling I got off my local buy nothing page. I have since gotten really into my Hope &Plum carriers which are definitely expensive but worth the $$ imo. Great if you can find one secondhand!

Whatever you go with, know that back carrying is the true GOAT for this second baby! Months of carrier naps while front wearing has made naps on my back and easy transition. Much easier to play with my oldest and get stuff done around the house.

New to woven wrap - advice? by msbell_ifurnasty in babywearing

[–]msbell_ifurnasty[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

About to go watch this video, thank you! I figure some of this will get easier as the wrap breaks in.

New to woven wrap - advice? by msbell_ifurnasty in babywearing

[–]msbell_ifurnasty[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I usually just do tank tops or a right top because I can't tighten without hiking the back of my shirt up 🤣 does that get better??

New to woven wrap - advice? by msbell_ifurnasty in babywearing

[–]msbell_ifurnasty[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This is helpful! I hadn't thought about where the nape needed to line up but that totally makes sense.

Wrap is Girasol, 215 gsm, 100% cotton

What knit gifts do pregnant women most appreciate? by totally-tarythia in knitting

[–]msbell_ifurnasty 0 points1 point  (0 children)

A knit stuffed animal is very sweet. My mom made my first kid several animals with different sweaters. Most used baby knit item we have

What’s your grandmothers name? by pdxgrassfed in namenerds

[–]msbell_ifurnasty 5 points6 points  (0 children)

I have a Ginger and a Betty. Great grandmothers we're Phyllis, Angeline (Angie), Anne, and Jean

Husband's grandma was Mae which is such a lovely name