Parenting Contents Archive

How did we feed babies before formula?

Serious question. Sure the formula shortage is not good. But formula is a relatively recent invention. How did we feed babies for the millennia before formula? Breast feeding. Anything else? Milk?

Does anyone else get those "oh my god, I am a mum and this is my child!" moments?

Had one today, and I get them every few months! Was bathing my 14 month old daughter and I just thought... omg this is my actual child! I am her mum and I am kneeling next to the bath, bathing my child! It felt so surreal! 😅

My in-laws are here to help my husband and me with the kids. I thought I was safe to take a dad-length shit and a dad-length shower.

Three adults to watch two small children. I still received multiple texts and finally a knock on the door asking what was going on and what was taking so long. I literally can't even. Someone talk me out of going to a bar with my phone turned off. Or talk me into it.

What to feed babies if formula runs out entirely?

It probably won't come to this, but I'll feel better knowing there are options. If the US fails to improve formula supply and even the non-specialized formulas become unavailable for an extended time period, what would babies eat? Breast milk donations won't be an option if literally every baby needs them. I'd guess "toddler nutritional drink" would be reasonable, but would probably run out the second it's recommended as a substitute by some government agency. Is cow milk with vitamin supplements the best option that would be widely available?

Should I let her smoke?

So my fiancée and I had our baby 3 months ago. She’s a stay at home mom and gets stressed out when she’s tired, which is often. She’s bipolar so when she’s stressed out she essentially can’t contain her negative emotions. She’s only lashed out at the baby once from what I’ve witnessed (loudly yelling OK at our daughter). She felt really bad after it happened and is now trying to get me to let her smoke a disposal vape because she said the nicotine will help her with the stress management and not lashing out at us. I don’t care about being perfect parents, I just don’t want any of the nicotine from the breast milk to negatively affect my daughter. My fiancée said she’ll only smoke the vape at night since our daughter likes to sleep for 3-4 hrs when it’s that late so she can go at least a few hours before feeding her. So should I let her smoke a vape for her stress? If so should I set some conditions and rules? Anything I should know first? Any and all help would be amazing

Almost two year old won’t socialize

My two year daughter has 0 interest in socializing. We were at a splash pad and she just cried all the time, and wants to be alone. We have thought autism but she doesn’t really hit any of the marks of autism. Her daycare teacher said she may have social anxiety. Any thoughts? If we walk away from her at a park she cries and follows us

What do Grandparents not understand about not seeing the baby if sick? (RANT)

I posted a month ago about grandparents not seeing brother who had been exposed to strep and the fight that caused because I didn't want them seeing my days old baby if they had just seen brother. 2 weeks ago my mom comes over before I took her out to her early mothers day lunch and springs on us as she's holding our newborn that my dad had been taking care of his mom who has bronchitis..... I almost killed her.. Today my mom says she needs her baby fix (as if my baby is a drug) and wants to come over tomorrow after church to see her for a few min with my dad. We tell her early morning is not good but afternoon would be better. Her reply, "ok, your dad is getting over a cold anyway so maybe I'll come this afternoon instead" Like WTF? If he's sick, YOU'RE SICK! And he was just going to come on over with a cold and see my month old baby if I hadn't said anything? Uggg what is wrong with these people?!

"Would you talk like this with people you work with"?

Said my husband after I refused to explain the same thing for the 10000th time. \- "Well, if we worked together, you'd probably be fired by now for not listening to anything I say in all these years". I swear... At least he knew to not continue that line of thought and kept quiet after that...

Babies and toddlers know that activities involving swapping saliva – such as sharing food or kisses – generally only happen when people have an especially intimate relationship. @nell_sci_NPR https://t.co/2G0pacOjkF

Respect is not something you can (successfully) demand of your child.

You can force the behaviors that imply respect. But if the respect isn’t already there then it is done out of fear of consequence. Not out of actual respect.

Did a good deed today

I gave formula to someone who needed it! I got it for free a while ago and was keeping incase I ever needed it. I produce more breastmilk than my baby needs, so I figured I'd help someone who needed it more than me. I feel good to have done this. I felt guilty keeping it when others need it more than I do.

how to keep your cool as a single stay at home mom of a toddler?

hi everyone . im currently trying to quit smoking and have been getting mood swings. im a single stay at home mom whos parents help out with finances. i never get a break from my 2 1/2 year old nor can i right now because we're currently packing up to move and my parents are extremely busy as well. im at my wits end and feel myself falling into anxiety and depression (i already struggle with panic disorder) and her father is not in the picture. i need some advice on how to keep cool when you cannot get a break !!! thank you so much

Where do you find friends?

I’m in desperate need. But it’s so hard. The moms have cliques at the park or are standoffish (southern hospitality my ass), my husbands work schedule makes it hard for us to meet with coworkers we know well, there aren’t that many groups here for kid activities for some reason. Online groups have cliques, Facebook groups are cesspools, reddits not much better. Niche groups are hard to become part of unless you were there in its early days. So many moms are actually super mean and catty. I hate to say that, bc I hate the misogynistic stereotypes about women and moms especially, but…they definitely happen. And it feels like the pandemic and other political events have divided everyone even more. Im super lonely but have no idea where to begin. I’ve always wanted a community of friends and close relationships, but it seems so impossible to make them in adulthood, especially with being a mom. My only friendships I have are the ones I made in school (10 years ago 🥲)

Parents of high school seniors this one's for you from a mom who's been there. @FruitLoopKeeper #highschool #graduation https://t.co/VUgNIANilZ

Does everyone find their children hilarious or are mine exceptionally funny

It’s been three years and I’m still like “omg you have to hear what my son said” daily