Surviving, Occasionally Thriving & Always Learning
Being a parent is HARD. And sometimes it can feel lonely and like you are the only one dealing with certain issues and parenting challenges. Chances are though, there are a bunch of other parents dealing with the exact same ones. So here I share some of the challenges I have faced as a parent (from the prenatal stage up through the toddler years), in hopes of offering helpful tips or just some good old solidarity!
During cold and flu season, busy breastfeeding moms may be asking, can you take Emergen C while breastfeeding? Anything that can potentially give a tired mom a leg up sounds like a pretty good idea, right? A review of the available information and scientific literature …
Topics: Breastfeeding a 1-Year-Old: How Often? Factors Influencing Breastfeeding Frequency My 1-Year-Old’s Breastfeeding Schedule Young Toddlers’ Nutritional Needs How Much Does a 1-Year-Old Drink in a Single Breastfeeding Session? How Long is a Full-Feed Nursing Session? Responding to a Child’s Breastfeeding Cues How Do I …
✓ Family Beach Trip Packing Checklist As we are headed into the sunshine season, let’s get ready for some sandy fun-filled days at the beach! Taking a family vacation or even just a day trip to the beach can be hard work and requires some …
An overstimulated mom is tired, stressed, and overwhelmed. Her nervous system has been bombarded with sensory information in the form of shrieking rambunctious children, crying babies, and the countless demands of motherhood. She may experience strong feelings of anger and irritability, and feel like she …
Stay at Home Mom Burnout Signs 10 Ways to Recover from Burnout If you are dealing with stay-at-home mom burnout, you are not alone. Raising children full time is hard work and can get the best of anyone. While all mamas have the occasional hard …
As a mom of a rambunctious baby and a high energy preschooler, I can get pretty overstimulated and overwhelmed. Sometimes my nerves are completely fried by the end of the day. This is when I start to feel angry, resentful and burnt out. The constant …
Breastfeeding is a big job and as such, snacks for nursing moms are essential! Not only is making breastmilk physically demanding, but it can be mentally and emotionally demanding as well. Many mamas are feeding their babies around the clock and may additionally be dealing …
Ever since becoming a mom, coffee has become a very important part of my life. VERY. The cumulative effects of sleep deprivation are just too real, and sometimes a cup of coffee feels like the only thing that is possibly going to get me through …
What is a Milk Bleb? What Does a Milk Bleb Feel Like? Treating Milk Blebs and Blisters at Home Breastfeeding is one of the most arduous tasks of motherhood. It is time intensive and sometimes quite uncomfortable and painful. And unfortunately for some, dealing with …
For the first month or so after bringing home our new baby, I was surprised that my 3 year old had no apparent shifts in behavior. He seemed curious about and delighted by the new baby. Fast forward a month and this is when the …
A great baby wrap promotes bonding, provides comfort and offers convenience. And with a hot and fun filled summer ahead, finding the best baby wrap to use while out on adventures or at home getting things done is a must. Features of a Great Summer …
My first birth was an emergency c-section and my second was an unplanned VBAC (vaginal birth after cesarean). The best-laid plans, right? Birth plans gone awry are the quintessential example of one of life’s favorite maxims; control is an illusion. I spent hours during my …
Let me tell you about my postpartum anal fissure and how I got through it. A fissure is defined by the Mayo Clinic as a small tear in the lining of the anus. A postpartum fissure is among the most painful issues a woman may experience after …
After going through Painful Breastfeeding as a New Mom with my first baby, I am happy to report that I have successfully managed nipple pain when breastfeeding with my second. I still experienced sore and painful nipples this second time around, but it never got anywhere near …
Topics Considerations – When Should Family Visit Newborn Baby? 1. Know Thyself 2. Protecting Immature Newborn Immune System 3. Establishing Breastfeeding 4. Processing Postpartum Emotions Establishing Boundaries with Newborn Visitors 1. Give Yourself Permission to Have Boundaries 2. Practice Clear …
As far as my hospital bag was concerned, I was wildly unprepared after the birth of my first child. I had not yet prepared a bag when my water broke at 37 weeks, and I had not anticipated staying in the hospital for 5 days …
My second pregnancy was brutal in terms of morning sickness. Or should I say 24/7 sickness. Why it’s called “morning sickness” makes no sense to me. In fact, I often felt the worst in the evenings and in the middle of the nights. In the …
According to Pew Research, the “sandwich generation” describes, “those who have a living parent age 65 or older and are either raising a child under age 18 or supporting a grown child”. And they explain that the sandwich generation often is providing financial and or emotional support for …
After meeting someone new, I always dread that question, “What do you do?” This question used to be a source of pride for me when I was working (in a paid position) and/or was studying in school. Now though, I feel a touch of shame …
My Chemical Pregnancy Experience What is a Chemical Pregnancy? Is a Chemical Pregnancy a Miscarriage? Do Recurrent Chemical Pregnancies Count as “Recurrent Miscarriage”? How Common Are Chemical Pregnancies? After a blighted ovum miscarriage about 6 months ago, I was cautiously optimistic that I would go …