https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sat, 04 Apr 2026 16:15:06 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/august-2016-gear-registries-and-nurseries/page/9#post-2717671 Wed, 29 Mar 2017 07:23:56 +0000 gotkimchi 2717671@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mrschickpea: thanks! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/august-2016-gear-registries-and-nurseries/page/9#post-2717661 Wed, 29 Mar 2017 06:37:14 +0000 mrschickpea 2717661@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@gotkimchi: it has been so great! I can't imagine what that closet would look like if we just left it with the one bar to hang clothes from! I keep her shoes, headbands/bows, and next size up clothes in the drawers and I have some stuffed animals and baby odds and ends on the open shelving in the middle. And I love having the different hang bars for her clothes, I keep all her sleepers on the bottom. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/august-2016-gear-registries-and-nurseries/page/9#post-2717554 Tue, 28 Mar 2017 16:21:36 +0000 gotkimchi 2717554@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mrschickpea: how is your closet system working for you? I think we're installing this in our kids rooms and I'm just wondering if you like it? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/august-2016-postpartum-thread/page/22#post-2655876 Tue, 22 Nov 2016 12:18:40 +0000 OldpuebloJenn 2655876@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>The freshly picked sale is live! Most styles are $15 off. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/august-2016-postpartum-thread/page/22#post-2655250 Mon, 21 Nov 2016 11:59:23 +0000 pwnstar 2655250@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@LCTBQE: It's not pathetic. Or insecure. Your new reality is that your heart is now beating outside your body. To say that that's a game changer is the understatement of the century. :heart: </p> <p>After I had my first, I had so much anxiety at the thought of leaving my LO that I thought I wanted to stay home, which shocked the hell out of me because even during my pregnancy I was 100% sure that I would return to work full-time. What I did know was that going back to work was the right decision for me before my heart was beating outside my body, so, with that knowledge, I went back. It was hard. And I wasn’t always so sure that it was right . . . the guilt and the anxiety were so overwhelming at times (because I wasn't *sure* in the beginning) . . . and let's not even talk about how some people try to make you feel like the most selfish person on the planet because you do go back to work instead of *martyring* yourself for the sake of your child/family (not everyone holds that sentiment, but it was expressed to me on several different occasions and it stung like a son-of-a-gun). In so doing, it wasn't too long before I realized that I wanted to work because it was part of who I am, I wanted to work so that I could be the kind of partner to my DH that I wanted to be, and I wanted to work so that I could be the kind of role model for my LO that I wanted to be. So. I didn't always know that going back was the right decision - and you don't have to *know* either. I went back to make sure that I really didn't want to go back (if that makes sense). Having a child is such a huge paradigm shift . . . a little uncertainty in the wake of same is a good thing (at least it is imo). Because the right decision is what's right for you. Full stop. </p> <p>And yes, you will absolutely find your groove and things will hum along (as much as they can with a baby/young kiddo). You may not realize it though until you are well into the process . . . it may just hit you one random Tuesday when you're making dinner while entertaining your LO and handling a conference call/email . . . you will think “I’ve got this." Because you do. :heart: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/august-2016-postpartum-thread/page/22#post-2655056 Sun, 20 Nov 2016 22:34:23 +0000 agold 2655056@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@pwnstar: you always have such great advice!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/august-2016-postpartum-thread/page/22#post-2655049 Sun, 20 Nov 2016 21:38:37 +0000 LCTBQE 2655049@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@pwnstar: oh my god when is your salf-halp book coming out--this is exactly it. I'm unfortunately prone to dismissing legitimate hormone imbalance as pathetic insecurity that I should man up and get over, so probably will have to print out the above and tack it to my computer. I actually don't know that I'm making the right decision--what I really know is that I can't quit my career--but your confidence that everyone else does is genuinely reassuring. The humming along part (really?!) sounds so good that my eyes well up with tears to even consider it. Part I am definitely not fucking up is the wine part, $13-18 Italian reds are our jam around here :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/august-2016-postpartum-thread/page/22#post-2654801 Sat, 19 Nov 2016 15:24:36 +0000 pwnstar 2654801@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@LCTBQE: I'm so glad it helped! :heart: It was so hard with my first, and beyond that, I had such unrealistic expectations for myself. It was a really tough transition for me, and I hate to think that other mamas are struggling. I know we all do. Especially with daycare. Even though we know we're making the right decision, it's so hard to remember that in the fog of *OMG AM I REALLY GOING TO LEAVE MY BABY*. The one thing I did right the first time was to promise myself that I would not make any major life decisions during the first year. Because hormones magnify and intensify ALLTHEFEELINGS and sometimes it's neigh on impossible to find your true north in the perfect storm of anxiety, guilt, and self-doubt. It really does work itself out, and before you know it, you're humming along juggling your career, marriage, and baby, and it ain't no thang (for the most part!). So many hugs to you! (And. If we were neighbors (or co-workers), I would make sure your wine/cocktail runneth over. Because. If we hafta adult, then lets ADULT, yo!) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/august-2016-postpartum-thread/page/22#post-2654634 Fri, 18 Nov 2016 21:52:59 +0000 LCTBQE 2654634@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Sorry for the delayed reply, everyone-- the last of the parade of family visits is now over (just in time for us to haul ass across the state for Thanksgiving, wheeee). Guess I'm worried about logistics but underneath it needed some hand-holding from people who have been there :heart: </p> <p>@pwnstar: your response, and everything you've said in the past few days, has made me feel miles better about this--thank you. I think I'd feel less nervous if I knew someone whose child had done well at our daycare, but I keep reminding myself how happy/normal all the parents looked during drop off when we toured the place, and the women who work there do seem really warm and organized. I think I've also been hyperventilating a bit about getting our schedule in place--it didn't even occur to me until I read your post about going back to chill the fuck out and let the groove happen instead of trying to organize everything to death. SO glad to hear that your baby boy hit the ground running at yall's place and is doing great :) That's awesome that he and your daughter both napped well on their first days there! Will he take the paci for you now, or just at daycare?<br /> Ah, and about the Becky, YEAH. I just got a legit pair of mom jeans to try to contend with the situation--Levi's Wedgies. They are 100% cotton with no stretch and they come up practically over the ribcage, thank god.</p> <p>@pwnstar: @ShootingStar: this pumping conversation is super educational and I'm glad to benefit from the eavesdropping.</p> <p>@T.H.O.U.: the fact that it's out of my control is something that I have GOT to get through my head. I'm glad your kiddos adjusted well. and even though the consensus is that it's a non-issue, this week we did have a surprise breakthrough--he's now going down drowsy but awake for almost every nap. couldn't hurt I guess.</p> <p>@ShootingStar: @MrsSCB: this helps so much just to know that yall do/did have all the same fears :heart: and so good about Lily's bottle/paci/nap success!! I'm doing a gradual transition too--my boss is a SAINT and spontaneously offered to let me work from home my first week, so I'll be able to pick him up a little early, and I guess it feels better that I'll be local just in case of freak out (probably more likely me than the baby). </p> <p>@futuremama: thank you for this :heart: </p> <p>@Pirouette: oh rats I forgot you guys have a nanny! </p> <p>@MrsSCB: sounds like it went really well with your husband! it's like junior trial run for day care :) and I don't blame you one bit for feeling out of it with the move, I guess it had to happen but sounds so disruptive and tumultuous. I get super depressed if the house isn't completely clean and uncluttered... huge stacks of boxes containing your entire life + tiny baby who needs you for everything = woof :meh: hope it's coming together a bit. on the bright side, didn't you have super shitty neighbors that you no longer have to deal with? yay? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/august-2016-postpartum-thread/page/22#post-2654375 Fri, 18 Nov 2016 12:23:35 +0000 pwnstar 2654375@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MrsSCB: YASSSSSS. Take advantage of the time to do something--or many things!--for you. </p> <p>@ShootingStar: If you don't want to move the time, I would definitely decrease the time (and switching to a manual is a good idea) for that session until you can eliminate it. Because yeah, if it's too much now, it will be WAY too much in a month or so. And pumping is hard enough without anything extra! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/august-2016-postpartum-thread/page/22#post-2654322 Fri, 18 Nov 2016 11:23:49 +0000 ShootingStar 2654322@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@pwnstar: I don't know that I can do it much later, since I go to bed right after. But I have thought about maybe switching to my manual pump because it's much less efficient. And then tapering that off. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/august-2016-postpartum-thread/page/21#post-2654308 Fri, 18 Nov 2016 11:08:51 +0000 MrsSCB 2654308@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@pwnstar: I'm starting on a Wednesday -- mostly because F was born on a Wednesday, and I wanted my 16 full weeks. But now that it's getting closer, I'm so glad to start with a short week. I'm planning on sending him to daycare for a few hours per day before I go back to ease into it. I'd been thinking of going to work for those hours, but now I'm like, "Ummm, no. I'm going to spend them doing relaxing things by myself." :-P </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/august-2016-postpartum-thread/page/21#post-2654296 Fri, 18 Nov 2016 10:55:56 +0000 pwnstar 2654296@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@ShootingStar: Can you gradually reduce the time you spend pumping during the before bed session while also pumping later, say, 30 minutes or so, until you don't get engorged/need to pump (so that you can eliminate that session entirely)? If you continue to pump and don't signal your body that it is overproducing, it will continue to produce at the current level. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/august-2016-postpartum-thread/page/21#post-2654292 Fri, 18 Nov 2016 10:48:16 +0000 ShootingStar 2654292@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I have kind of a crazy pumping schedule and I feel like it's way too much. Lily started sleeping until 6 or 7 around 10 weeks, and I got in the habit of pumping in the morning before she got up, because being so engorged woke me up. Then I started pumping before bed so that I'd be prepared to go 9 hours overnight. </p> <p>Thing have shifted around, but I end up pumping 5 times a day. I feed her at 6/6:30, pump at 7:30 (and get a ton) and then pump 2-3 times at work. Either 9:30, 1 and 3:30, or 10ish and 2ish. Then I pump before bed.</p> <p>I'd like to eliminate the pump before bed, but I tried to go without it last night and woke up incredibly uncomfortable. I'm not sure how long it'll take for my body to get the memo. The 7:30 pump is also a PITA, but I get the most milk then and I'm so full, even after feeding her. She generally takes about 2 ounces from one side, and I can then pump another 2 ounces from that side and 5 from the opposite one. </p> <p>I don't need this much milk, I don't have the freezer space for this much milk. But last time once I started reducing sessions my supply took an absolute nose dive. I didn't pump this much then though, so that might be different. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/august-2016-postpartum-thread/page/21#post-2654291 Fri, 18 Nov 2016 10:47:20 +0000 pwnstar 2654291@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@agold: I know it's super hard, but for the first few days, just take everything in stride. Have a plan, but know that there will be little hiccups here and there. No biggie! I would also recommend not starting on a Monday. A full week the first week can really be a grind! A Wednesday start would be better timing - you have a few days to execute your plan to see how it goes and what works and what is not working so well, and then the weekend to recover and tweak things for the following week! You will also have a better idea about what you will need during the week, e.g., nursing supplies, daycare supplies, lunch, etc., and can plan for that over the weekend to help your week go more smoothly (I do as much as possible on the weekend and the night before--the less I have to do in the morning, the better! But that's just my preference.). After a couple of weeks, you will get into a pretty decent groove. There will always be minor hiccups along the way, but it won't be as overwhelming and stressful (like it probably is right now). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/august-2016-postpartum-thread/page/21#post-2654287 Fri, 18 Nov 2016 10:36:42 +0000 agold 2654287@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@pwnstar: yes, that's what I was just thinking today. She had a funny night and I'm nursing her late this morning. Ugh. I'm getting a little anxious about going back to work. I'm going today to meet with my boss and ask for the ability to work from home on Tuesdays and some sporadic thursdays. I hope it works because I'm otherwise prepared to quit. But that would be crazy. </p>