Parenting Contents Archive

I’m not okay.

I have a 1 month old and a 19 month old. My life feels like complete hell. The 19 month old has started teething this week. Constant tantrums. Constant crying. Waking up in the middle of the night after a year of sleeping through the night. Hitting, kicking, slapping during diaper changes and just randomly. The 1 month old is a typical newborn. Cries a lot, wakes up multiple times a night, spits up a lot. Everything feels so hopeless. I know everyone says it’ll get better, but I’m having a hard time dealing with the now. I’m seriously regretting having kids. I don’t blame either of the kids for being fussy/upset, but at the same time I hate what my life has become since I had them. I can’t do anything I used to enjoy doing. I can’t even do things I looked forward to doing with my older son because it just results in a screaming fit. I’ve started locking myself in my bedroom and punching myself because I can’t handle all the frustration. I literally hate my life. I am not okay.

How much longer can this go on?

Our rent is going up next month. Our electricity has tripled in the past year, with no additional usage. Nursery fees are going up. I don’t know how I’m supposed to buy our weekly shop this week because we’re already deep down in the red until we get paid. Everything just keeps on getting more and more expensive. It’s all over the U.K. - there are more food banks than McDonald’s. My friends mortgage is increasing by £500 a month. How much longer can it continue? It’s crippling and devastating and stressful and I just want to know what it’s going to start getting better

Expensive gifts for kids?

Grandmother wants to buy our son a very expensive toy that costs $700. On the one hand it’s her money and I feel like it’s a gesture of joy. But its also making me uncomfortable somehow. She’s often talking about how money is so tight. Can’t quite put my finger on if that is why I’m uncomfortable. Child is 2.5 years old. Would you care at all?

What is your baby’s current favorite toy that’s not a toy?

My little guy will be 8 months next week, and his favorite thing right now is a plastic egg separator lol.

Doctor told me to retract my son’s foreskin to clean it...

But, to my understanding, that’s an outdated way to do things? Not asking for medical advice- just asking for opinions on advice already received!

Severe diaper rash: open to air + zinc?

Hi, 5 week old has severe diaper rash after a week of IV antibiotics due to UTI. He is still on oral antibiotics and also on daily BioGaia probiotics prescribed by pediatrician. He still has diarrhea. We are leaving his bum open to air as much as possible. When diapered, we generously apply zincofax maximum strength. My question is: Should we apply the zincofax *while* he’s open to air, or only when a diaper needs to be applied? I left this post open to discussion but would appreciate evidence/credible websites where possible. Thanks in advance.

Question on Parent's Sleep Needs - how many hours/nights for the brain to return to "normal"?

I'll be a full time worker, part time law student, and first time mom. My husband has offered to fully take over nighttime duties so I can get good sleep before exams. And it got me thinking: how many hours/nights of sleep would it take to have your brain fully restored to normal? Any information on adult sleep requirements for memory or critical thinking, and full recovery from sleep deprivation, would be appreciated. Thank you!

Losing the baby weight

I gained a ton with my baby girl - 70 pounds! I was underweight to begin with, so that’s part of it. I’m 4 months pp now and haven’t weighed myself, but I’m sure it’s 40-50 pounds off my desired weight still. I have been more sedentary due to requiring minor foot surgery, however, it’s healing well and I’m about to start exercising again. I know how to eat properly, but man, I feel like I have a lot of work ahead of me. Not sure what the point of this post is. I’m just sitting here feeling like a big slug, and it’s summer, and I have no summer clothes that fit 😭 Anyone else feeling this? Or have tips?

How long is it safe to leave an infant to cry?

I have two children. Toddler is and always has been an amazing sleeper. My infant is eight months and is not. He hates sleeping. Like its a punishment. He will fight it constantly. Regardless of wake windows and feeding schedules and all that. He *hates* it. I am at the end of my rope. I don't have the money to hire a sleep consultant. His pediatrician doesn't have any advice for me. Any attempts at soothing him aren't working and I just want to shut his door and put my headphones on. So... how long is safe? How long did you guys allow? I let him cry for about an hour last night before my wife went and collected him. She said it was too much, but she works nights six times a week and I'm over the baby screaming. What the actual hell do I do here?

Three Under Two

I'm currently 8 weeks pregnant with my third child after having twins last year. I was talking with a friend of mine and she pointed out to be that this baby will be born when my twins are 22 months old. Meaning for about a month or two my husband and I will have three under two! Anyone else done anything like this? Did you survive? I'm so excited but also heavens have mercy.

Is dairy critical from a nutritional or developmental stand point?

Hi friends! My older son had his 7 year well visit the other day. The doctor pushed dairy milk and dairy products. My kids are naturally small but healthy, and my 7 year old is medicated for ADHD. The Adderall definitely has an impact on his appetite and growth curve, so we’re trying to be intentional about diet and nutrition. In college, I studied the anthropological and dietetic origins of dairy milk consumption, and I feel kind of strongly about dairy consumption, in general. We avoid dairy milk, but we haven’t eliminated it, by any means. Is dairy milk essential to children’s growth and development? Is there an alternative that offers parallel benefits? Thanks for your help!

For those who got epidural，do you still have back pain?

It’s been two years since birth with epidural, I am feeling more of a lower back pitching pain past year. No injuries or anything, also holding my little one less now that she is bigger. Sad… but man, why is my lower back hurt when I am pretty healthy and all, except for this one annoying aches.

Overwhelmed by diagnosis.

My preschooler was officially diagnosed with asthma. Typically he is fine, his trigger seems to be getting sick, a cold or anything respiratory. I am overwhelmed and feel like none of the doctors care. I’m scared and so worried about what his future looks like. Nobody in my family has asthma so this is all new to me. Anyone open to sharing their experience?

Kid's dad taking off on her birthday celebration....

to go to Friday Night Magic ("official" game night for Magic the Gathering held at a lot of gaming stores) and hang out with his friends. He goes every fucking week, but apparently can't skip out this week. The last time I was able to put my foot down on making an exception was back in January when I twisted his arm into going camping (we live in FL). He sees the kids on average less than two hours a day. When he is home, he barely interacts with them. I feel like I should be royally pissed off. I'm not. At this point I'm perfectly content with him not being around and digging his own grave in terms of his relationship with the kids. I'm... annoyed? Maybe a little sad? This is the cherry on top of so many other things and I'm over it. Someday the kids and I won't be there, and he'll still be telling himself he's not the bad guy. Oh well. It is what it, fuck what it was.

Is 1 month long enough time to wean my EBF baby?

My baby just turned 1 and I’m working on getting her accustomed to whole milk. She never took formula and isn’t loving the whole milk but doesn’t completely hate it. She eats 3 meals a day but still wants to be on the boob before naps and dinner and maybe 2 hours into her wake windows. I’m thinking of offering her sippy cup of whole milk when she pulls on my shirt, etc. My husband and I have our first weekend away from her in about a month and I’m so nervous to be away from her because of this. Any tips or positive stories regarding weaning/ transitioning to whole milk? Anything helps at this point!