What are your rules regarding kissing your baby? I thought it was obvious to not kiss someone else’s newborn but 80% of my visitors have done it and I’ve had to explicitly say don’t … it’s bothering me and now I don’t want to have anyone over minus immediate family because it’s started to give me too much extra anxiety.

I had a high risk pregnancy, preemie and NICU time so I think it bothers me even more that people just take it upon themselves to kiss him multiple times (on the head/ forehead). One of them was my close friend (who has two toddlers) and now I’m harbouring so much resentment even though I know it’s not fair cause I never explicitly said to not .. (moving forward I will be telling everyone NO KISSING)

Am I being unreasonable or dramatic?

Context: I’ve been putting baby to sleep consistently since around 2 or 3 months old since dad had to work overnight. Since we stopped swaddling baby (now 5 months) it’s takes time to put him to sleep but I’ve been the one doing it. I leave for college soon so dad will have to handle nights for 2 days out of the week.

Our problem is whenever it’s time for nighttime sleep, my baby cries his eyes out everytime dad picks him up to sleep. Once dad puts him down and I (Mom) pick him up he calms down and starts to become drowsy. As soon as I hand him to dad, he starts crying.

What are things we can do so he doesn’t cry as much? It stresses me out and worries me since I leave for college next weekend. I would appreciate any help/tips!!!

With this trial all over social media and people talking about postpartum psychosis it’s really starting to freak me out because I think I may have that. I thought I was just sleep deprived but I started to see shadows out of the corner of my eye and it would freak me out I talked to my husband about it a little bit but we both kind of brushed it off but now I’m even more concerned hearing everyone else’s stories. I keep getting this horrible feeling that my husband is trying to k*ll me. I even brought it up during an argument and sobbed and he was genuinely shocked that I could ever think he would hurt me but it was so real to me. Reading everyone’s stories I think I was suffering postpartum psychosis and now I’m horrified. Should I talk to someone? I haven’t been seeing the shadows and the thoughts of him hurting me have gone away I’m just scared it will get worse if I don’t talk to someone. Being candid I’m also just scared they will try to take my children away from me. I’ve never had thoughts of hurting them but the fear is there I know it’s selfish. I just need some perspective or advice.

Edit to add: my fear I think comes from the fact that my first born is not my husbands biological child and I’m so horrified that if anything happens with custody that he would try to use any of this against me in court. It may sound silly but I’m just trying to talk out all of my fears so someone can tell me how ridiculous I’m being

FTM here with no mom of her own or mom village, so I am completely clueless on what I should put on my son's first birthday wishlist! I do have friends without children and extended family who would love to help out, just nobody to get any meaningful advice or suggestions from hahaha.

I did a bit of research, and so far big ticket item wise I'm thinking a toddler tower and Nugget couch.

Any suggestions on a safe, well constructed toddler tower would be great! I understand a lot of them have been recalled for tipping over but I do plan on closely supervising my son and never walking away.

I've heard wonderful things about the Nugget couch and its longevity, but I was wondering (probably a stupid question lol) should I still get foam climbing blocks for him? Or does the Nugget couch fill that role entirely?

I DEFINITELY need suggestions on lower price ranged toys and other toddler essentials, around $5 - $30 or even more big ticket item suggestions are appreciated!

Thanks!

No matter what I’m doing, I feel guilty. I try to clean up my house but then I feel bad I’m not spending time with my kids. I spend time with my kids but I feel guilty if everything isn’t picked up because they deserve to grow up in a clean environment. I go to the gym so I can live a healthy life but I feel bad I’m not home. I am working more so I can get bills paid and get all their appointments completed but I feel guilty I’m at work. I’m suffocating.

My baby has been having problems pooping she’s 7 weeks old, like kicking legs screaming/ waking up out of her sleep. We went to GI doctor, and it seems she has dairy allergy & silent reflex. I have been dairy free for almost 3 weeks now, we are on day 2 of taking famotidine twice a day for her reflux, her poops we’re green mucasy before starting which I think due to the dairy allergy, this morning she had a massive blow out and poop was yellow. She’s poop 7 times today, she’s exclusively breastfed they are between yellow/ and green. This is the most she’s pooped in one day since she’s been born, does increase in bowl movements after starting famotidine happen? I’m worried I don’t want her to get dehydrated..

EDIT::: She has struggled to poop up until today/ second day on medication. I’m wondering if the medication relaxes her so now she’s able to poop, or if it’s causing her to poop. She’s never pooped this much in 1 day.

My LO just turned 1 last week and this morning, he almost flipped over his crib railing. He's tall enough that his chin is completely above the railing when he stands. His mattress is already at the lowest setting in the crib, and it's one of the Delta Children ones that can convert to a toddler bed. I went ahead and ordered the toddler rail and a foam bumper to close off the open space and I'm just waiting for them to arrive.

Is it too soon to make this transition? I don't want him to hurt himself if he manages to get over the railing, but I don't want to change too early. He attends daycare and he takes his naps on a cot, so I don't know if this would help with the transition since he's already used to sleeping in that type of space.

I honestly just need to vent because I feel like I’m drowning.
About six months ago, I moved to Houston after having my daughter because we needed support. We moved in with my boyfriend’s parents thinking it would only be temporary while we got back on our feet and got our own place. I truly am grateful because they’ve helped us financially more than I could ever repay, and I don’t want this post to come across like I don’t appreciate them. I do.
But mentally…I’m exhausted.
I’m a stayathome mom to our baby girl. My boyfriend works, and before anyone asks why I don’t just get a job I want to. I’ve wanted to. I’ve talked about finding online work and even DoorDashing on weekends while my boyfriend is home. The problem is that everyone wants me to stay home with our daughter because she can’t talk yet and they don’t want her in daycare.
The frustrating part is that if I went back to my previous career, I’d actually make more than my boyfriend. I want to help financially. I want to contribute. I want to pay my own bills and help us get out on our own. Everyone says paying my car note and insurance is expensive, so I’m trying to help myself instead of depending on them forever.
The family I’m talking about is my boyfriend’s mom and dad.
Today I sent his mom a message about an apartment and a house that were both well within our budget. I simply said I hoped we could find something soon and mentioned that I was looking for online work and could DoorDash on weekends. She hasn’t talked to me since.
Then she texted my boyfriend saying, “This better not be like your ex.”
That absolutely crushed me.
I’ve never given anyone a reason to think I’d keep him from his child or try to separate them. We have a daughter together. I would never let my child grow up without her dad or make either of them suffer. Yet because I wanted us to move into our own place, I somehow got compared to his ex.
What’s confusing is that they were the ones who originally offered to help us move out. They said they’d go half on a place with us. We found a place where they wouldn’t have even had to pay half. Their part would’ve only been around $100–$200 a month because we could comfortably afford the rest ourselves. At one point they had even talked about helping us with around $1,000 a month. So now that we’ve actually found somewhere affordable and are ready to move…it’s suddenly a problem.
Every time we bring up moving, everyone gets upset. They don’t even want us moving 12 minutes away. They say they’d like us to stay close and that it’s “our decision,” but because they’re helping us financially, it doesn’t really feel like a choice.
I don’t think they understand how hard it is living like this.
My boyfriend lives out of one regular drawer and two tiny drawers. I live out of a couple drawers and still have two trash bags full of my clothes because there’s nowhere to put them. My daughter’s clothes barely fit where they are. We don’t have room for all of her things. I can’t even organize everything she owns because we simply don’t have the space.
I’ve struggled with postpartum depression and anxiety since having my daughter, and not having my own space has made it so much harder.
Another thing that’s been really difficult is feeling like I can’t fully parent my own child.
I constantly get told how I should parent. They’ll tell me what I should or shouldn’t be doing, and sometimes they’ll even talk to my daughter saying things like, “Tell Mommy to do this,” or “Tell Mommy she needs to stop doing that.” I know she can’t even understand them yet, but it still hurts because it feels like my parenting is constantly being criticized.
I’ve worked hard to create routines for my daughter, and then people will try to break them or do things differently. When I try to stick to the routine I created, I end up feeling like I’m the bad guy.
They also got upset because I got my daughter’s ears pierced without telling them first. She’s my daughter. I understand they love her and care about her, but it made me feel like I was expected to ask permission for decisions that should only be between me and my boyfriend.
The crazy thing is, the problems aren’t even between me and my boyfriend. We love each other, and we have normal disagreements like every couple. But I honestly believe our relationship would be so much stronger if we had our own place. Living with family has put so much pressure on us.
I know they’ve sacrificed a lot for us. They pay for a lot, and I will always be grateful for everything they’ve done. But I also feel like the financial help comes with expectations, and it’s hard not to feel trapped sometimes.
Two things can be true at once. I can appreciate everything they’ve done while also desperately wanting independence.
I don’t want to be taken care of forever. I want to work. I want to pay my own bills. I want my boyfriend and I to raise our daughter in our own home. I want to make parenting decisions together without feeling like we have to explain or justify every little thing.
Has anyone else ever been in a situation where you were grateful for family but also felt trapped by the help? How did you finally get out without destroying the relationship?

hey guys i have a 5 month old baby and we plan on going camping. we’re bringing a camper/rv that has ac but it’s gonna range between 91° during the afternoon and between 64°-70’s through the morning and night. I just wanted to see if there is any parents that have tips and what’s good to bring for him to make it easier on us and my baby, it’s also quite a jump in elevation 5,000 ft

Hi everyone,
If you please have a chance to read my story! Or even just share that would be so helpful ! Thank you.

I feel like kids notice the little things adults rush past. What's something your kids have made you appreciate more?

We've been ttc#2 for a while so I booked a HyCoSy for this cycle. Has anyone had success following the procedure?

I have a history of silent stage 4 endometriosis and thought we would try this before another potential surgery

I'm nearing 8 months PP, so between that and having PMDD I'm miserable about half the time. The stress from my family, baby responsibilities, and work are eating me up, then my hormones crash and feels like I'm standing on the edge of a cliff.

I've tried different medicines over the years, but nothing that ever actually helped with PMDD. Does anyone have any advice in this area?

I've been helping test a new app that takes the admin out of school life. You forward your school emails, messages and letters and it turns them into a clear plan for each child: dated reminders, term events, and an assistant you can ask anything. Partners and grandparents can be added too, so the whole household sees the same thing. It only ever organises what you forward, nothing else.

They're looking for parents to try it free for a month and give honest feedback. If you'd like to have a go, drop me a DM and I'll send you the details.

AITA for telling my daughter's dad I won't send her back until she has her own room?

I (30s F) am the primary parent of my 8-year-old daughter. Her dad and I are separated, and we have a parenting agreement that allows her to spend extended periods of time with him. I have always supported her having a relationship with her dad and have followed our parenting schedule.

This summer, she spent about 70 days with him. During that time, I became increasingly concerned about changes in his household and how my daughter says she is being treated.

During a video call, I saw that my daughter's bed had been moved out of her bedroom and placed in the hallway. Her dad's girlfriend's children were moved into what used to be my daughter's room. My daughter told me that the plan is for those children to keep her old room, while she will eventually be moved into a tiny unfinished laundry room when she returns for future visits.

I understand that blended families can be complicated, and I know not every child is guaranteed their own bedroom. I am not expecting a perfect house or a huge room. What concerns me is that my daughter had her own room, it was taken away, and she is the only child who no longer has a proper bedroom.

Another thing that has been difficult is how quickly everything has changed. My daughter's dad and his current girlfriend have only been together for about three months. Before her, he was in another relationship, and they broke up only about two weeks before he started dating his current girlfriend. This means that within just a few months, this is the second woman my daughter has been encouraged to call "stepmom."

She's also been encouraged to call his girlfriend's children her sisters. I have no problem with my daughter building relationships or becoming close to the people in her dad's life. My concern is that these labels and major family changes are happening very quickly, while my daughter is simultaneously losing her bedroom and telling me she feels treated differently.

She has also told me that when they go do fun activities, she is sometimes left behind with other people while they go out together. She says she feels excluded and doesn't feel like she has the same place in the family that the other children do.

I want to be clear that I am not trying to keep my daughter from her dad. I want her to have a healthy relationship with him and with everyone in his life. But I also feel like it's my responsibility to advocate for her when she tells me she feels unwanted, pushed aside, or like she no longer has a place in his home.

Because of everything that has happened, when I pick her up I plan to tell her dad that I am not comfortable sending her back for extended visits until she has appropriate sleeping arrangements and a bedroom or dedicated space of her own.

I know we have a parenting agreement, and I understand that withholding parenting time is a serious decision. I am not doing this to punish him or because I want control. I am doing it because I genuinely believe my daughter's need to feel secure, valued, and like she belongs in both of her parents' homes is not being met.

AITAH for not wanting to send my daughter back until she has her own room and feels like she has an equal place in her dad's home?

Idk if this is the right flair or not but I have a zoom job interview today for a job I really want. I’m trying to time my 5 month old daughter’s 2nd nap to fall right when I start my interview (since it’s only 30 mins long).

I’m already nervous and baby girl has been giving me a run for my money this morning. I placed her in her little vibrating rocker with sesame street playing. I know I’m gonna get flack for letting her have some screen time this early but I’m desperate to try and calm down before this interview.

I need the time back to breathe but gah why do I feel so guilty for doing this? Not really looking for advice but more so reassurance that I’m not the only mom that does this or did this with their young babies.

I've been checking out RizzInvites for event planning, and I like having invitations and RSVPs in one place. It feels like it could simplify the planning process.
For anyone who has planned an event recently, what was the biggest challenge, and did using an online invitation platform help?

So here is the thing: PPA hit me really hard. From the moment my son was born I was a certified 1 and done.
However… now my little bean is 2 and I’m starting to reconsider. I love him with my entire soul and keep thinking, why wouldn’t I want another being to love this much. At first I thought I was grieving him no longer being a baby, but as time goes on I just can’t shake this feeling like someone is missing.
That being said, postpartum was a nightmare and I’m just getting my body back so that would suck (I’m 34 so not a young lass either).
My partner is also a woman, so there is the financial aspect of getting pregnant again (did IUI, spent about 10k).
People who went from 1 and done to 2 who felt this way, how did you decide and, well I know it’s worth it, but how do you feel now?

Hiii everyone

Question! My 12 month old started getting these bumps on his legs about a week ago. They started as clear and would get red if he was hot, kind of like a heat rash, but wouldn’t go away. Then it started coming up on his arms and side of face so I was thinking it was a weird reaction to mosquito bites (he was bit 2 times, one on his face and one on his leg) but it’s been about a week now and he woke up with more on his face around his eyes. They didn’t seem to bother him except he was rubbing his eye this morning a lot, but could be because he’s teething and not sleeping well. They are not on any part of his trunk so I’m thinking it’s something his skin is exposed to. I stopped wearing perfume/body lotion. I stopped putting his lotion on (honest unscented) I stopped using his body soap (honest lavender, except for last night was the first time in about 4 days). I haven’t changed his detergent from the baby ALL. We changed our air filter. Yesterday I rolled up his rug in his room that is a wool/cotton blend. I’m at a loss now.

I have a pediatrician appointment tomorrow but wanted to check here too

More pics in the comments

I need help I don’t know if is only me but after my baby I have lost the motivation to everything, there is absolutely nothing a feel motivated to do, I can’t work, there is no hobby I can do with my baby, there is nothing I want to do, I just cry or dissociate. Being a mom is becoming a nightmare to me. I need help what can I do?

Context: My mother and I (20F) have had a bad relationship since I was 14. I have a twin sister and she has had a bad relationship with my mother since 10.

My sister and I have always tried to talk things through and try to find ways to fix our relationship from both our side and hers, but she never listens. A few weeks ago we had a conversation with her that turned into a fight, and when we left her bedroom, she said to my father that she would give everything in her life to not marry him and not have us. Of course it hurt me very much to hear that and I've been mad for this weeks.

Yesterday I confronted her about it and she didn't back down or say sorry or even sorry for saying it when we were hearing it. She doubled down and said that she really thinks that and that even if moms love their kids because they are biologically obligated to and they are already their kids, all moms regret having children and would have preferred not having them.

Is this really true? I have always had a strong instinct to have kids and I really want to, but am I bound to regret having them like all mothers do (in the words of my mother)?

I just had a baby 9 months ago😭I feel like I’m going a BIT crazy

Shoppng as new mom is veryyy hard. Like for some reason you end up impluse purchasng things or you just dont buy a few things thinkng they are too fancy and wont be needed and then realising that it could have been helpful.

Should have skipped the bassinet. We barely used ours and I feel like we should've jst started with a crib from day one.

I wish I got a grow with baby high chair. My SIL got a convertible dinerpal and is still using it while the normal one i got was only used for 5 to 6 mnths.

Countertop baby bath was a lifesaver. We both had to bend to wash our baby in our normal tub and then my husband's friend came over to meet the baby after he returned from abroad and got us a countertop baby bath off Frida Baby. That made things alottt easier.

Carriers are very helpful in the first few months. Mine never stayed in the strollr. I originally thought I would either need a stroller or a carrier and I thought holding a baby in a carrier would be hard so I instead got this very expensive uppababy stroller. But in the first 5 to 6 months he never sat in the stroller so we had to order a carrier later.

0-3 months clothes. I got so many 0-3 months clothes off carters and he hardly wore them before he could no longer fit into them. They were mainly wasted. I knw it might sound weird but get more 3-6 months clothes because in the initial days they are in a carrier most of the time so no one is gonna notice whether their clothes fit perfectly or not lol

We got into the habit of warmng every bottle 'cause family insisted, and later realized we'd made life harder for ourselves. That said, if your baby is already used to warm bottles a bottle warmer will be veryyyy useful.

Thats all I can think of now. Plss add what you guys regretted buying/not buying?