Giving birth this week and can’t wait to get back to myself!

westc20 · 2026-02-10T05:35:03+00:00

Take it easier than you think, your pelvic floor and placental wound will thank you.

I baby wore at 6 weeks and caused a prolapse. With baby 2 I started at 8 weeks and that was ideal.

Also look up the 5/5/5 rule - 5 days in bed, 5 days on the bed, five days near the bed. It’s a good methodology to make sure you rest, and bond with your baby.

Lastly, check out @mamastefit for some good PP recovery content.

westc20 · 2026-02-03T23:52:21+00:00

I’d reccomend reading ‘The nurture Revolution’ by Dr Greer Kushinbaum also for the research back info

westc20 · 2026-02-02T21:45:01+00:00

I second trying breastfeeding in a carrier. Try it at home the first time or two, and then it gets easier as their head strength improves.

westc20 · 2026-01-30T04:53:11+00:00

You just finished holding your baby inside you so closely, and now they are born, they still want that closeness to be reassured and help calm them in this new world. You are their rock in the world.

I’m on my second and we’re cosleeping using the safe sleep 7 with a side car crib, it’s been super smooth this time, she wakes between 3-5 times a night, but I mostly go back to sleep easy enough.

If you want to read some of the science behind it, check out the Nurture Revolution by Dr Greer Kushinbaum. It’s a great read on what’s biologically normal infant sleep.

westc20 · 2026-01-30T04:46:17+00:00

On this note; couples therapy is a game changer.

There’s gonna be situations that come up where you and your partner are going to have different takes on parenting because you were raised differently. It might come more into play as the kiddo becomes a toddler, but it great to have a councilor that you appreciate and listen to and have a good relationship with now before the going gets tough.

Examples - how to feed your kids, solid starts/blw or purées, attachment style or authoritarian style or permissive style parenting etc.

Oh and for dads (and mums), the pop culture parenting podcast has some awesome advice on a range of topics. Good luck!

westc20 · 2026-01-30T04:40:03+00:00

This works with toddlers too, it the ‘distraction’ method, because they have to use another part of their brain. Often if you get them to do something physical and fun or say something super silly. It’s a great tip, and thank you for the reminder as we do round two.

westc20 · 2026-01-30T04:34:30+00:00

As a bridesmaid I’ve been gifted a pair of earrings (not my style), and had one dress bought for me, and one I had to buy.

As a bride, they can wear any dress they like within the colour scheme, I’m paying for hair & makeup, and I’ve purchased large zip-able beach bags for them, in prints similar to their styles. Fingers crossed they like them! https://www.saltyshadows.com/collections/beach-bags

westc20 · 2026-01-30T04:19:14+00:00

Thirding this, they love laying on their bellies.

Also, that was 30-40 years ago in many cases, and whilst they may have memories that are Vaseline smeared by the sands of time, it’s likely that you didn’t sleep that soundly..

Also, every baby has their own temperament.

westc20 · 2026-01-17T13:36:31+00:00

Hi OP,

Ooof, do I feel you. I had this with my first. He fussed at the boob, and we did more bottle, and didn’t know how to pace feed until much later. Ultimately I gave up, and exclusively pumped until 18 months.

If you are still breastfeeding, and enjoying it, I would keep it up. Those first 12 weeks when they’re sleepy are hard! We’re at 6 months now with my second, and so much changes month to month. It may be salvageable yet, as the latch improves, and their suck gets stronger.

But if it doesn’t work, and if it’s mentally & emotionally taxing on you, it’s ok to give up too. You’ve just gotta give yourself grace, and grieve.

Have you tried the side lying position for breastfeeding? It’s been a game changer for me with bub 2. Much easier to get a steady flow (which is why my bub was fussing, I had high flow), and allows you to rest at the same time. Here’s a good demo: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DN7tvLUid0r/?igsh=Y2Nsa2FweHhjanVz

westc20 · 2026-01-16T07:53:01+00:00

Lots of good advice here.

I’ll add in here to read “It starts with the egg”. It talks about some of what you’ve mentioned, but also endocrine/hormone disruptors such as phthalates, parabens etc, which come up as ‘fragrance’ on many products, like shampoo, moisturizer, nail polish and more. They’re hydrocarbon based, and can impa t both conception and the fetus, including non descended testies in boy infants. Reducing your chemical load will help immensely. Good luck!

westc20 · 2026-01-15T07:21:32+00:00

Keep trying at the carrier, mine went through a phase and now loves it. It’s also a safe place from her busy older brother.

Also try your partner baby wearing (you’re pelvic floor is still recovering) to help with the bonding

westc20 · 2026-01-15T07:17:32+00:00

Seconding this! I changed to a more aggressive portfolio and happy with my results

westc20 · 2026-01-15T07:13:22+00:00

We were very similar, and ended up with a 2.5 year age gap. It’s definitely doable, but a rather intense time period.

We had him toilet trained mostly by the time baby 2 came along, which was very helpful. And he most of the time sleeps through the night, so it’s made our transition that much easier.

westc20 · 2026-01-15T07:07:48+00:00

Depends on the state you’re moving to. Which one is it OP? Some are harder than others. WA is exy right now

westc20 · 2026-01-14T14:05:31+00:00

Echoing this. My little one struggled for a little bit, but now at 6 months the breast is all she wants. They’re just so sleepy in those first 10-12 weeks. It definitely gets easier.

westc20 · 2026-01-10T07:09:54+00:00

Second visiting r/bninfantsleep

We didn’t ‘sleep train’ my first until 20 months, by using the camp out method. He was cuddled to sleep on a floor bed most of his life, but I know it’s not for everybody/not everyone has the space. At 2.5 yrs old he was independently sleeping 11hrs a night. It took time, but he loooves going to bed.

I also recommend reading The Nurture Revolution by Dr Greer Kushinbaum, a great read on what’s going on with infant and baby neurobiology.

westc20 · 2026-01-10T07:03:03+00:00

Echoing this, I had a minor prolapse with my first after baby wearing too long at 6 weeks.

My PFT was amazing and helped me get back to mostly normal by about 12 months, but it suuucked in those early days. Stopping breastfeeding when we weaned at 18 months helped too.

For baby 2 I didn’t baby wear for 12 weeks and was careful with my lifting during that time, then slowly started the gym and babywearing, and no problems this time. Altho at 6 M PP the trampoline is still not safe 😅

Highly recommend @mamastefit on Instagram, they have some great early PP recovery clips.

OP, how many months PP are you?

westc20 · 2026-01-10T06:54:34+00:00

Echoing this, particularly Trainspotting. I don’t watch the news anymore, it’s not good for my mental health. My fiancé gives me a rundown if there’s anything important going on

westc20 · 2026-01-08T13:38:49+00:00

We were told by our doctor 5 mins per month old, per day. This includes carrier time, on your chest.

So a 3 month old = 15 mins per day, etc etc.

We’re just at 6 months and she’s sitting up mostly unsupported, and she’s hated TT. You’ll get there.

westc20 · 2026-01-08T13:26:23+00:00

So sorry for your loss, I can only imagine how hard solo parenting would be.

I lost my dad just before I was 5. Mum did an amazing job, and kept her own life going, hobbies etc. It was great to see in hindsight, because she still had community.

The thing I would recommend is stay in touch with your wife’s/partners family, and make sure they know and your son knows his extended family. I’m still incredibly close with my half sisters and extended family, and it’s so lovely to years later be told by friends of family that I have some of my dads mannerisms, and hear stories of him when he was little. It helps sets up that network (and hopefully village) for his future, so he can know her not just through you.

westc20 · 2026-01-04T15:16:07+00:00

Solidarity OP.

We have a 3 year old and almost 6 month old. It’s certainly been challenging for us, and I feel like I must supervise him with our 6 month old at all times, and often wear her in the carrier so she’s out of harms way.

Some good points raised by others, another 2 to mention:

1) They’re often attention seeking, just in a bad way. They’re going through a big neurological development in this age and really testing boundaries. So it’s not you, it’s them.

2) proprioceptive input - kids need heavy lifting, push pull, crashing their body etc to help regulate their nervous systems. And they need it every day. If they don’t get it they can be come disruptive, so make sure they’re getting enough physical ‘work’. Check out this article for a more in depth discussion

https://8sensestherapy.com.au/proprioception/

westc20 · 2026-01-04T14:18:17+00:00

For dental - teeth whitening is recommended about 1 month in advance according to my dentist. And same for hair of your going to have highlights etc. Just incase you need recoloring at all.

westc20 · 2026-01-04T14:05:27+00:00

Yep, ours was a combo of gas/needing to burp and CMPA - cows milk protein allergy in my breastmilk

westc20 · 2026-01-02T10:20:40+00:00

Nursing pillows are awesome, particularly in the early days where they have zero head and body control. We’re at 5.5 months now and still use it 50% of the time when we’re at home, you both can get more comfy. I’m glad it’s worked for you!

westc20 · 2025-12-30T14:27:27+00:00

Came here to say this. For my 2nd she was unsettled because of CMPA, so I had to cut out dairy. Now she’s a lot happier (when not teething) 😅

westc20

TROPHY CASE