Parenting Contents Archive

Traumatizing things as a FTM

NO ONE and I mean NO ONE warned me how traumatic the first round of shots are for both you a baby… The blood, the tears, the screaming… I’m going to have nightmares about how upset she was and how there was nothing I could do to console her…. I don’t care if I sound dramatic, that was awful 😭 What things were traumatic for you as a first time parent?

I did a horrible thing and turned on Ms Rachel for my 2 month old twins

One night they wouldn’t stop screaming and I was physically and mentally exhausted. They loved her so much and now they stare at the black turned off tv screen waiting for her to come on. I’ve let them watch it several times and I feel like a bad mom but I can’t get anything done and when I turn on Ms Rachel I actually can. Now I feel like they’re hooked

Do you all use moisturiser on your baby’s skin?

Mrs says we should moisturise baby routinely. My initial thought is that baby skin doesn’t need any topical moisturisers, unless there is a condition that requires it as treatment. I’ve also not known anyone else personally that does this. What is everyone else’s take on this?

one of my kids won 1st place and the other didn't

one of my kids(m 10) won in science fair and the other(f 8) didn't How to celebrate without hurting the other feelings? My oldest son won 1st place in his school science fair while my little girl got a participation award My son is super happy while my daughter is super sad and jealous How to celebrate the big one achievement without hurting and console the young one? My oldest is book smart but bad with people while my youngest is very good at making friends and very artistic but bad at studying This happened alot Please any advice

What to do at home with your baby?

LO is 9 months old. Due to the air condition in New York we are stuck inside. He requests me to sit in his playpen with him all the time but he’s bored with his toys and just wants to climb on me Any suggestions on what activities are good for these indoor days? Thanks!!!!

Dads who went into parenthood with rose-colored glasses, how are you feeling now

In my friend group it feels like women consider a lot of issues before becoming a mom (e.g. pregnancy risks, childcare options, parenting style, disabilities) while most men if they feel financially comfortable just go ahead and have kids and say things like, "We'll worry about it when we cross that bridge." So this question is for men who went into fatherhood without reading books, debating what they'd do if their child had a disability, or how they'd handle sleepless nights. How are you doing now? Would you change anything if you could travel back in time?

Chances of Preeclampsia in a Second Pregnancy

My first just turned one and we are discussing a potential second. I had hypertension my entire third trimester which evolved into postpartum preeclampsia (the only reason it was postpartum was because of a failed induction and emergency c-section at 38 weeks). Our primary concern is the chance of this happening again risking my health and the health of a second child. We have scheduled a consult with our doctor but he can’t see us until August so I’m posting here to get some insight. In the group’s experience has preeclampsia been a reoccurring condition in pregnancy? Are my chances higher of developing it again now that I’ve had it once? Or is every pregnancy different and you start out with the same odds? Not sure if this is the right sub for this question so if there’s elsewhere I should ask let me know. Thanks in advance!

Newborn hasn't cried

Hey there, I have a question about my niece. My brothers wife gave birth yesterday (June 6th), to my adorable little niece Samantha, she decided to come 2 weeks early. My niece hasn't cried once since being born, the doctor couldn't get her to cry when she was delivered, she had to be woken up overnight to be fed. Has anyone experienced this before? A newborn baby who doesn't cry? Whose so quiet and doesn't wake up overnight. I've never heard of this before and it worries me, is this normal? Thank you!

When “help” is not helpful, and is actually just getting in the way

My boyfriend is absolutely clueless. I thought it was endearing at first and my friends would call him a “golden retriever” because he is so dumb and codependent. Part of me hoped it was just naivety and the relationship developed. It’s been two years and I feel stuck. I’ll tell him to do something or how to do something, and he still manages to do it wrong and I have to fix it. He gets upset with me when I’m upset because he “doesn’t know” how I want things done. Somehow it’s my fault that he doesn’t listen or remember.

When do hormone levels become more stabilized after pregnancy?

This whole “glowing” phase has been a myth for me during my pregnancy. I have experienced very dry skin and frizzier hair. How long does it generally take for hormone levels to even out after pregnancy and does the hair and skin get better?

How long to keep toddler in swim lessons, and other tips for having fun in the water?

Looking for advice on how to get my toddler comfortable with swimming. My husband takes her to our town pool to play a couple of times a month. It's fun for her; there are water slides, a lazy river, and people-watching. I'm signing her up for parent-tot lessons twice a week this summer. What is a good duration or periodicity for swim lessons for a beginner (almost 3 yo) ? For example, should I keep her in two half-hour classes a week continuously for the next year? Or just do, say a few months every year (each session is 3 weeks so maybe 2-4 sessions a year for six to 12 weeks a year for the next couple of year)? Just trying to get a sense of a good approach for this first year or two so I can plan a bit. Lastly, what are some fun games and toys that we can use to teach her skills and help her have a positive experience in the water?

Feeling like a failure.

I thought I would’ve mustered up the courage to start our baby on solids by 8 months.. but I haven’t. She is still eating my homemade purée combinations. She’s gagged - but I’d say choked because she puked it up both times - twice. I’m just too scared to start her on actual solids. Would I be terrible if I kept her on puréed solids until she has more teeth for chewing? She has her 2 bottom teeth. I feel like I would be setting her back if I kept her going on solids? But with dad going back to work next month and being home alone, I feel like purées would just save my anxiety. Any experiences appreciated. How long did you wait until your LO actually ate solids?

Hand foot and mouth disease on adults..how long does this hell lasts??

My little nephew got HFM and i got it from him. It started 2 days ago with a sore throat and a mild fever, the fever disappeared yesterday but i still have a HORRIBLE sore throat. Yesterday evening i started to see these little red and horrendously itchy bumps on my feet and hands..I'm on paracetamol, antihistamine and throat spray. They seem to help a little bit but not so much, i just want this to end😩 I have an exam on June 14/16, i can't be miserable like i am now..how long does this last? Or maybe, how long does it take to start seeing improvements? This is the worst.

Bf asking for permission to go out

I get that he has good intentions on asking. But the fact that he asks if he can go out while we have a 2 month old at home irks me to no end. I am a stay at home parent and he works. He often goes out with his boss after work or stays at his house and has drinks. He says mingling with his boss after hours helps with his career but it sounds like an excuse to me. So when he asks if he can go out to the bar with him i usually say no but it doesnt always go over well. He often gives me the cold shoulder for the rest of the night. This is a rant and I know everyone is going to say "yet another shitty dad" but yeah. It's a part of him im really disliking at the moment. And the worst of it is that he always mentions to other people how he wants more kids and how there "will be more on the way!" And I just can't help but think "no there's not if this is how it's going to be"

Spoiling 4 week old?

Everyone either says “don’t hold the baby too much you’ll spoil him” or “you can’t spoil a baby” but I’m starting to get nervous about our contact naps. In the mornings I usually let him contact nap for the first couple and then place him in the bassinet for the rest of his daytime naps. But here recently he wants to only sleep when being held. He could be sleeping deeply and when we place him in the bassinet or the crib, he will fully wake up immediately. Are we holding him too much? He’s so small and sweet and he sleeps so good in our arms it’s hard to put him down.