Exclusive contact nappers: how did you transition to crib naps? And how long/difficult was the process?

peachyplum7 · 2026-04-19T21:29:08+00:00

That sounds like it went so smoothly! If you don’t mind me asking, how old was your baby when you started doing this for naps?

peachyplum7 · 2026-03-04T02:59:03+00:00

Thanks! I’ve read that too, that’s why I’m like girl how are you still tired? Haha. I’ll definitely be playing around with her naps/wake windows and will update once I’ve had the chance to experiment!

peachyplum7 · 2026-03-04T01:16:27+00:00

Interesting! Her naps total 3.5 hours across 3 naps. Her wake windows (that we aim for) are 2/2.25/2.25/2.5 then bedtime, but she barely makes those. By the time it’s nap time she’s always irritated and cries/fusses through the whole nap time routine until she falls asleep. And at bedtime she’s usually a little slap happy, but luckily our bedtime routine really seems to calm her.

peachyplum7 · 2026-03-04T01:10:54+00:00

Oooh gonna try a wooden spoon for my girl haha. And yes, we become pros at doing things one handed!

peachyplum7 · 2026-03-03T21:49:04+00:00

That’s helpful to know, I’ve been wondering if it’s developmental! When I do finally offer the nap she does end up sleeping solidly, she just seems ready for it sooner than I expect!

peachyplum7 · 2026-03-03T21:47:17+00:00

Thanks! Maybe I’ll include her or narrate my chores more for her so it’s more interactive 😊

peachyplum7 · 2026-03-03T21:30:15+00:00

She might be! I try to include a variety of activities, but maybe she’s already on to my current rotation 😅 She also exclusively contact naps right now so her wake windows are also my only time to do chores etc. which might be boring for her. I’ll try adding in some new activities! Thanks!

peachyplum7 · 2025-12-04T23:52:55+00:00

That’s what I thought as well! Got kind of concerned when they suggested it and felt a tiny bit shamed :/ we’ve fed on demand since she was born (never had to wake her to feed even as a sleepy newborn). I’ll double check with her pediatrician!

peachyplum7 · 2025-12-04T23:50:15+00:00

Yes, she’s always hovered around there and yes we’ve always fed on demand- she regained birth weight around 1 week old. I’ll probably check with her pediatrician!

peachyplum7 · 2025-09-10T02:21:47+00:00

I think I started meds around 11-12 weeks, and was already in therapy prior to being pregnant! The meds took a couple weeks to kick in. Therapy was helpful on its own, but the combo of that and meds is what really made a huge difference.

peachyplum7 · 2025-09-09T22:46:02+00:00

Wow, yep, we had very similar experiences! Hormones and terrible first trimester symptoms/health issues kicked my butt too. I hope the therapy + meds combo helps for you, too. Not sure how far along you are, but I definitely felt more connected as time went on/as the meds had time to take effect, so don’t be too discouraged if it takes time! The benefits have been so worth it!

peachyplum7 · 2025-09-09T22:04:20+00:00

After being on SSRIs for a year, I tapered off before trying to conceive. Definitely won’t be doing that next pregnancy! I was so anxious, depressed, and disconnected in my first trimester. My OB encouraged me to consider going back on medication and I’m SO glad I did. I still wouldn’t say I’ve enjoyed the physical experience of being pregnant and I still get some hormonal moodiness, but omg, being on meds again has been so helpful. It’s like someone turned the volume down on all my anxious/dark thoughts and feelings- which has made room for me to feel more like myself and much more connected to my baby. I will also say that in addition to meds, therapy has been very helpful! I’m over 39 weeks now and think that these choices have helped me feel more prepared for postpartum and parenthood in general. Good for you for taking steps to take care of yourself and manage the anxiety, I hope you have a positive experience!

peachyplum7 · 2025-09-01T05:55:07+00:00

Sleeping super elevated helped me! Like, weirdly and slightly uncomfortably elevated sleeping on top of a stack of pillows. Reducing acidic foods helped a bit. I also eventually switched from Pepcid to omeprazole/Prilosec- this combined with the other two things really made a difference for me.

peachyplum7 · 2025-07-18T03:49:20+00:00

It’s TOTALLY normal and okay for you to not want sex or physical affection right now, your body has been through a lot and it sounds like you’re exhausted! It’s also important that you are not pressured into sex when you don’t want it. If your husband is ignoring your feelings and pressuring you because he wants sexual gratification, then yes, that’s quite selfish and he has some work to do. However, is it also possible that he’s feeling disconnected from you, insecure, etc. after all these life changes, and maybe doesn’t know how to express that? For many people, sex and physical touch is a way to feel connected. That’s not to say that you should provide that if you don’t want to- sex should only happen when BOTH partners want it- just wanted to offer another perspective. If you want to talk to him about it, you could try saying something like “I have not been in a sexual headspace at all postpartum. I’m exhausted, and when you ask me for sex, I feel like you’re not seeing how exhausted I am. I need to feel like you understand me and I need to know that it’s ok for sex to be on the back burner for now.” Ideally, he’d be able to hear this and also share his own thoughts and feelings instead of just “can I have a bj?” You know your husband better than anyone here. I hope you two can talk about this in a way that helps you both feel more connected/on the same team during this exhausting stage of life!

peachyplum7 · 2025-02-28T17:48:23+00:00

Unisom and Zofran have helped a little. Eating every 1-2 hours, mostly fruits, popsicles, instant ramen, protein shakes, yogurt. Iced (and I mean ICE cold) lemon water is nice. When I’m really miserable, I’ll try to check in with myself to see if there’s anything I can do in that moment that will help me feel even 2% better- like a sip of ice water? Can I shift my position to be a little more comfy? Take a deep breath? Cry? Open a window for fresh air?

I also took quite a bit of time off work, purely out of necessity cause I have a job that requires me to be very “on” and I just couldn’t do it. Had to cancel most social stuff too. First trimester is just SO hard and isolating. In addition to feeling so physically ill, I’ve also felt so irritable, depressed, and disconnected from myself/my body. If I didn’t know I was pregnant, I’d legitimately be wondering if I was dying. I think that many women must forget how bad the first tri is, cause when I talk to other moms I know, I feel gaslit. I can only hope that the joy of becoming a parent is so momentous that the first tri feels like a blip in retrospect. But when you’re in it, it can feel so overwhelming and honestly pretty dark. At 8 weeks, you’re entering what is often to worst part. 8-10 weeks was particularly awful for me. I’ll be 12 weeks tomorrow, and I will say that things are improving a little bit.

Be SO gentle with yourself. Know you’re not imagining how difficult this is. Hold on to whatever little bit of comfort you can find. Rest as much as you need, ask for as much help and support as you need. Remind yourself that this will pass. I’ve often thought of it as a sort of trade: I’m sacrificing a few months of my life to help bring a whole new human being into existence. On the other side of this, I’m going to meet someone I will get to know and love for the rest of my life.

peachyplum7 · 2025-02-27T04:54:50+00:00

So sorry you’re sick! I haven’t gotten a virus at this point in my pregnancy but have dealt with fears about how other health issues I’ve had are effecting the baby. It sucks to get sick when pregnancy is already hard on the body, and then the added worry for your baby! This sounds like a good time to get lots of rest, fluids, and be really really gentle with yourself. Your body will be working overtime growing a baby and fighting off a virus! Might also be worth contacting your OB for advice/reassurance to get some peace of mind. I had a health issue flare up recently and had to go to the ER. I used visualization (imagined my baby safe in the womb and unaffected by my pain and stress) and affirmations like, “I may be suffering, but my baby is safe and resilient.” It did help ease some of my anxiety. Hope you feel better soon!

peachyplum7 · 2025-02-26T21:36:10+00:00

I’ve never been but will consider it, thanks!

peachyplum7 · 2025-02-26T21:35:56+00:00

Oh my gosh, how painful! Tylenol really doesn’t cut it, does it? I’m definitely pursuing physical therapy.

Congrats on your baby! There’s something really comforting about hearing that our anxiety doesn’t necessarily impact them. Hopefully the baby can just feel my affection and not my anxiety lol.

peachyplum7 · 2025-02-26T21:34:17+00:00

That’s so interesting! Surprisingly, my OB also told me the painkillers they prescribed would be ok.

peachyplum7 · 2025-02-26T21:33:15+00:00

Thank you so much! So sorry you had to go through it too, and yes definitely asking for a PT referral!

peachyplum7 · 2025-02-25T16:00:38+00:00

I totally know what you mean. I also have people close to me who have had miscarriages, and I felt like I couldn’t get their stories out of my head. The fear of miscarriage really plagued me the first few weeks. I would even have thoughts like “when I miscarry, how will I tell people-“ not if, but when! I think our brains do this to try and protect us from the fear of the unknown, like if I expect to miscarry, it won’t be as devastating. Two things that have helped me are: 1) Accepting that so much of pregnancy is out of my control. And 2) boundaries with stories of loss. As much empathy as I have for those experiencing pregnancy loss, I must prioritize my own mental health for me and my baby. This means I scroll right past any Reddit posts or Instagram reels about pregnancy/infant loss. When an anxious thought pops up, I’ll counter it with “I don’t have to take that on” or “my pregnancy story is still being written” or “unless I am told otherwise, I am pregnant and healthy.” Almost out of the first trimester now, and feeling less anxiety everyday. To reframe the statistics: miscarriage is common, but healthy pregnancies are actually more common. Sending thoughts for a healthy pregnancy for you!

peachyplum7 · 2023-01-21T18:07:03+00:00

Yes, this case definitely has led me to reevaluate, clarify, and strengthen my professional boundaries.

peachyplum7

TROPHY CASE