r/firsttimemom

My 13 month old recently started swinging, grabbing and pushing my face when he’s frustrated or upset. I’ve tried blocking his hand and saying “gentle hands”. That works in other scenarios but with this one, it seems to make him angrier. I’ve tried not reacting and just stepping away for a moment - he didn’t care. He seems to just randomly do it any time he’s near my face. Any advice would be greatly appreciated! I have no intentions of spanking, especially while attempting to teach him that hitting is wrong, but when he really goes after my face, I get so frustrated I feel the urge to pop him! Please help!!!

My LO is 5weeks old. He is mostly a cute and unfussy baby and cries for milk, diaper or occasionally gas. However, lately we have realized that him contact sleeping on the chest while we are on the recliner/rocker is the best solution. The burp, upright, swaddle (extreme fights) and crib laying never works and he ends up waking up in 5-10 mins max and is usually more awake through all this process and transfers.

However, we have slept with him 2 nights like that on the chest. He is very happy and snug. Wakes up only every 3h for milk/diaper change.

Is this safe for him and his posture/spine? I’ve read this js form of skin to skin and is good but for 3h stretches? Internet seems to thing safety is the only issue (kid can slip or suffocate)

Is this normal?

How do I get him to crib sleep? Is this temporary? He has been having his growth spurt based on timing.

Crib is the safest and we can see him while we horizontal sleep.

I stand in the mirror 3 months postpartum. I look at my body and At first I don’t like what I see. Arms are bigger and belly is still bigger than I would like. My face is puffier than I remember it ever being. After that first glance… I stop being so critical of myself and start to appreciate her. These arms hold and comfort my baby. That belly grew my son and kept him safe for 9 months. That puffy face is what brings the biggest smile to my son’s face all day everyday. I am proud of this body. She has done magical things to bring that precious boy into this world. I hate that every critical thought comes through my head. The years of being told that if you are not toothpick thin then you are not good enough. News flash I am good enough. I am stronger than I ever thought possible. I am resilient. I also have never been more proud of my body and the way it looks right now. Over time I will get back to a new normal. It took 9 months to build a human I can expect to “bounce back” even quicker. I love how I am.. right here and now. In this new stage of life.. this body made me a mother and I will be forever grateful.

I’m a 21 yo first time mom and I’m due in September. I feel very detached from my pregnancy. It’s my baby I know it’s there I feel the kicks but sometimes I don’t feel ready or like anything is real. I already have a history of depression. I’m super tired and not sleeping well and my boyfriend tries to help but I feel like I’m just floating in space. I want to feel excited but I can’t. I’m scared I’m going to hold this tiny baby in my arms and feel nothing.

Hi everyone! My 20-year-old sister just found out she’s 21 weeks pregnant. (I’m going to be an auntie!!)

I’m 22 and I live about an hour and a half away, so I’m trying to support her as best as I can from a distance.

I know this is ultimately her responsibility, but I still want to be there for her, especially since my parents didn’t take it well.

She doesn’t have anything prepared yet, and I want to help her get set up in a practical way. I want to plan a baby shower for essentials, but I know there’s more to think about.

I’d really appreciate advice on what she actually needs for a newborn, what we should be prioritizing first (like medical care and basic needs), any helpful programs or resources in PA.

Thank you so much!

Hi everyone. First time ever posting. I’m 4weeks postpartum- first time mom to a wonderful baby boy.

My husband & I couldn’t agree on a name my entire pregnancy.

We played around with a few names, Benjamin always being a contender but I felt like it was missing something/too common. I didn’t want my baby to go by his middle name or Benjamin “last name initial” in grade school with the name being pretty popular.

Then Calvin was suggested.

I liked it, & my husband loved it because of the comic “Calvin & Hobbes”.

I was excited we agreed on a name! Still unsure but was happy to see my husband so excited that he ordered the comics for me so I could share his love for them.

Fast forward to a nurse in labor & delivery asking us for a name, I said Calvin. It wasn’t for any official use. Just to write “happy birthday Calvin” on the board. I was in labor for 39 hours and even the hospital didn’t ask for his name until 2 days later.

I feel like I would’ve changed my mind or at least have doubts within that time if I really wasn’t sure. I was the one to fill out his announcement board and the hospital paperwork.

Okay well now 4 weeks later I cannot stop crying and obsessing over if I made a mistake with his name.

(Both my husband and I are first generation Mexican Americans and I myself am Catholic.)

I didn’t bother researching the name Calvin until now and I’m spiraling. I didn’t look up the meaning, which is “little bald one” but I mean when do we ever think of meanings when it comes to names? What’s now really bugging me is the “Calvinism” part. I didn’t know!

I know changing his name is an option, but is it really ? My immediate family likes it or so they say.

I’ve always been an indecisive person but the anxiety on this one is to another level.

My husband says we can change the name if it’ll make me stop crying but I can feel he is a bit bothered by my doubts. He’s always been a person that doesn’t care about others opinions, unfortunately I do. (Working on it)

Sorry for the long post , I’m just so annoyed with myself about the entire situation. I’ve kind of calmed down since crying about the situation to my parents and sister who all have said not to change the name & the same thing as my husband- it’s a cute name, they haven’t had a bad reactions when sharing it (I’m a stay at home mom with one friend so my interactions with other adults are pretty much nonexistent)

My baby boy is so cute , I just don’t want to feel like I failed him with his name already.

I like how the name sounds and the nn “Cal” just everything else I found out about it after the fact is bugging meeeeee. I just wanted something fitting for a cool little dude and felt like that name fit the vibe better than Benjamin.

I guess I’m just looking for some reassurance that this doubt will pass/ I didn’t make a mistake naming him Calvin. I mean I went from full on regret to now just doubt so that’s a good sign, right?

My mind is just everywhere with this. Anyways thanks for making it this far. Hoping a little corner on the internet may be able to ease my anxiety.

My baby is 5 months old and is going through his second episode of no poop for over 7 days. Last time it happened we used a suppository and it all came right out; the glycerin hadn’t even melted inside yet. Right after, the same day, he pooped again. Both times the poop was normal paste like consistency and color.

After that he went 3-4 days without poop again until we used laxative drops. And the poop that came out was again normal consistency and color.

Since then he hasn’t pooped again for over 7 days. He’s all happy and chirpy. Feeding well. It’s also summertime here so it gets quite warm.

Now we tried the suppository again and 5-7 mins literally nothing came out. Instead I feel we just traumatized the little baby. He kept straining and going red because of it.

Now all of this is making me wonder if he isn’t producing any poop at all given that he’s exclusively breastfed and the summer heat is making him sweat out and pee more of it than turn it into poop. Just really looking for some validation at this point because the paediatricians here don’t seem to think out of the box and keep pushing the same old treatments all the damn time.

Hi! So I’m currently 39w2d. This is my first child as well. My appointment today they said I’m barely 1cm dilated & they already set up a date to get induced. I’m kind of regretting not getting a membrane sweep today. I truly do not want to be induced, I’ve had my mind set on doing everything completely natural. I don’t want to force my child out if he’s not fully ready, but I’m just curious if there was any tips other moms had to become more dilated/ get the ball rolling without waiting last minute. Thank you for any tips or words of encouragement! 🩵

i’m a ftm trying to have the most natural experience possible. this will be my only time being pregnant so i want to experience it all for what it is. i’m 38w 3d, 2cm dilated and 75% effaced. i have irregular contractions and nothing im doing is looking like it’s working to get her engaged and out of me. i’ve tried curb walking, all the yoga positions, pumping, s3x, rolling on a ball, you name it i’ve tried it. i’ve heard manual nipple stimulation usually works pretty well but i HATE mine being touched. pumping is excruciating and i can’t do it more than a couple minutes at a time and i need advice from other moms who have this problem. does massaging the whole breast work instead of just the nipple? can i avoid it completely?

Hi everyone. First time mum here. Wanted to ask what good combinations one can try for a six month old baby. We’ve tried banana, avocado, celery sticks, cooked carrots and broccoli which little one has reacted well to but I was wondering what actual “foods” to combine. Thanks for your help

As you reflect, how has your motherhood journey been? I’m a first timer with an 11 month old, and I worry about absolutely everything. Just looking to hear how it was for you as a mama, what you learned, ups/downs, etc. I would love to know all of it!

I’m 8mo PP now and stopped BF/ pumping around 10 weeks PP due to my baby’s CMPA, my health & mental health. My breasts don’t feel like they have milk in them but they’re not flat and not back to their original size, still dark in nipple color (light brown), can still see some pink / active looking Montgomery glands, and I occasionally leak (hardly noticeable but I feel it) especially when I’m not wearing a bra.

What is happening? When will this stop!? What can I do to get my old breasts back or have them stop leaking?

Can someone please offer advice on what to do with a 12 week old who wakes up at 5-5:30 no matter what. Tried moving bedtime up and back, changing naps, wake windows, everything. Thank you!

Anyone get super bad guilt and anxiety about not being able to keep on top of normal house cleaning, etc.?

I have a 2 week old as of today 😭 can’t believe it but I feel so guilty and my mind keeps racing about all the things I should be doing around the house. Even though I know my baby comes first, and I’m also recovering from a c-section plus my fiance is trying to help where he can and also do things needed outside of the house (yard work and finishing his shop) I just feel like I’m failing on being a homeowner.

I think the extra guilt comes from knowing my MIL has been very judgmental of our home. Saying it doesn’t look in pictures since we have blankets on the couch that we use daily and cover the cushions with a blanket for our dog and that our house is “unkept”. Because our house doesn’t look like a magazine or hers 24/7. Our house isn’t dirty by no means, we live in a 900 square foot house with no storage plus having a newborn things are just a little behind our normal cleaning and organizing but I feel like everyday I cry over it.

I thought this postpartum was going to have me emotional about being able to care for my baby and not my home. Any advice or words of encouragement is needed 😭😭

My 2.5 week old was losing weight and was having trouble latching/ gaining weight for the first 2 weeks. At his 2 week appointment he was back at his birth weight so I decided to start trying to BF again. Before, I was pumping and bottle feeding to ensure he got enough volume. Since going back to BF, he always falls asleep after like 10 mins nursing and it’s making me anxious that he isn’t getting enough. He consistently has 6+ dirty diapers but I’m so used to measuring everything out that I’m scared he’s going to start losing weight again.

Has anyone else has this experience? I know newborns often fall asleep while BF, but how are we making sure they are getting enough? I’m not sure if I should go back to bottles or keep trying to nurse him.