Post To A First Time Mom

I responded to a post of a first-time mom struggling with postpartum depression, breastfeeding issues and a fussy newborn. I decided to share some of my comments for other first time moms because the first few days, even weeks with a new baby as a first-time mom can be challenging for some moms, an adjustment for all moms and sometimes moms need someone else to tell them that it is going to be okay.

No One is Perfect

First, I want to say every mom starts at the beginning with being a first-time mom. Even if you have cared for other people's children's as a child care provider or occasional babysitter, it is definitely not the same as being pregnant, delivering that sweet baby and the reality of being a mom 24/7. It's okay to remind yourself there is no such thing as perfect mom and give yourself permission to say I am still learning how to do this. You will have up and down days a mom, some days you will feel like super mom and other days you will just be doing the best you can and knowing tomorrow is another day to do better.

No Crying It Out

I am not a fan of sleep training, regardless newborns are too young for crying it out. Baby is crying because he or she needs something and that is their way to communicate.

Breastfeeding Support Is A Must

If you have a support person who can help you when the lactation consultant can't that will make a difference. I found my aunt who is a nurse practitioner midwife was more helpful in a week of visiting me and helping me with breastfeeding than my lactation consultant because she was able to be with more than the lactation consultant could. So I highly recommend a person who you trust and knows breastfeeding that can help you as frequently as you need it until you feel you're able to do it without help or a lot of help.

Breastfeed on Demand

I know some people are not fans of breastfeeding on demand. But this totally helped me nurse my first child to 30 months who had a poor latch in the beginning and continue nursing my 2nd who has a lip tie. Especially if you're struggling with breastfeeding, I would get rid of the schedule, for now.

Stay Hydrated

Have a basket or some organizer to be your snack and hydration station when you are breastfeeding.

Focus on short term goals

Many moms may plan to breastfeed for 6 months to a year. It is recommended to offer baby breastmilk or formula for the first year of baby's life. However, many discover challenges while breastfeeding and the idea of making it to 6 months to a year seem out of reach. It is fine to have a big overall goal, but I spend more time focusing on smaller goals. With my first child I struggled with breastfeeding, in the beginning, she had lost twelve percent of her body weight and had a poor latch. I ended up breastfeeding her to 30 months (2.5 years) and each month my goal was just to make it through that first month, then the second month and so forth. With my second child, we didn't have issues, even though he had a lip tie. My overall goal was to make it to at least two years of breastfeeding, instead of one year. Like before, I focused on one month at a time. I am almost 38 weeks pregnant and we're still nursing - he is 29 months now.

Implantation Dips & Raised BBT

An Implantation Dip is when your basal body temperature (BBT) dips below your cover line post ovulation, usually said to occur around 7 to 9 days pass ovulation on average and then continues to rise without falling below the cover line again. 3 to 5 days pass ovulation for implantation dips is said to be rare. Some believe implantation dips are myths, because of varying results in dips and outcomes for pregnancy. Usually it is said when your BBT stays above your cover line without dipping below the cover line, it is a sign that you're pregnant. This is just a theory, but it seems for some early implantation dips, may lead to earlier positive pregnancy tests. The exception to early implantation dips theory I have found is that some women get early positive pregnancy tests as a result of having a multiples pregnancy, some women gets dips in many of their cycles that do not result in pregnancy and some women like me don't get dips during a c...

My Laparoscopy Recovery Essentials: What’s Actually Helping Me Heal

Disclaimer: Links to all the products I mentioned are included. I am not being paid to promote any of them and do not receive payments. Skin sensitivity may impact your experiences with these products. Recovering from my laparoscopy has been a journey, and honestly, some days are more uncomfortable than others. Over the past week, I’ve found a few products that have made a huge difference in how I feel—both physically and mentally. Here’s what’s been helping me get through it: 1. Body Wash That Feels Safe Before and after surgery, I wanted something gentle that still felt clean. I’ve been using Dove Antibacterial Body Wash , and it’s been perfect. It keeps the incision area clean without stinging or irritating my skin, which is such a relief. 2. Underwear That Actually Works I never thought I’d get excited about disposable underwear, but Frida Mom Disposable C-Section Underwear has been a game-changer. They’re soft, supportive, and don’t press on my stomach—exactly what ...

Clear Blue Plus Pregnancy Test (Blue Dye)

Clear Blue Plus Pregnancy Test with Blue Dye (+ / - ) This is what a negative looks like: Side Note: Blue dyes are often said to more frequently give false positives than pink dye. Some online boards that will tweak (alter) a pregnancy test photo to help individuals identify if the test is a faint positive or indeed negative, often will not do blue dyes.

Unfolding Dreams

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