Family Life Archives | Page 2 of 21 | Sleeping Should Be Easy

How to Respond When Your Baby Suddenly Hates Diaper Changes

Published May 25, 2020

It's never easy when you see that your baby suddenly hates diaper changes. Learn what to do when he fights having his diaper changed. Diaper changes are tough enough—but what do you do when your baby suddenly hates them? My little guy, who was once so easy to change, started to squirm and roll off. Changing on the floor only helped a little, especially since he'd just try to crawl away. And what had started as simple fussing had morphed into a full-on screaming and wrestling match. It had gotten so bad that he'd start whining and inching away the minute he saw me grab the diapers and … [Read more...]

6 Steps to Wean Night Feedings

Breastfeeding

Published May 16, 2020 Updated May 16, 2020

Learn how to handle night weaning with these 6 steps! You CAN help your baby stop waking up in the middle of the night and eat during the day instead. Night times were the worst. Even though I was sleep deprived both day and night, something about waking up when I was supposed to be asleep made those evenings hard. Those were the times when I'd wake up, delirious from the little sleep I managed to get. On good days, I'd find movies and shows on my phone to watch while I nursed (it's how I watched The Tudors and Call the Midwife). On not-so-good ones, I'd vent to my husband or start … [Read more...]

9 Unique Tricks to Increase Your Milk Supply

Breastfeeding

Published May 14, 2020 Updated Jun 11, 2020

Are you barely producing enough breast milk for your baby? Learn how to increase your milk supply with these tips—they actually work! I couldn't believe what I saw. I was browsing through a parenting board when I clicked on a fellow mom's post about breastfeeding. Whereas many moms struggle with producing enough, she was asking for advice on what to do with her stash of extra breast milk. Except "extra" doesn't exactly cut it. She posted a photo of bags and bags of frozen breast milk, overflowing her already packed freezer. Meanwhile, I was barely pumping enough at work to last … [Read more...]

Time Management for Moms: Tips You Can Actually Apply

Family Life

Published May 12, 2020 Updated Jun 22, 2020

Are you a busy mom feeling like you have zero time in the day to get everything done? Take a look at my tips on time management for moms you can actually apply! For most of us moms, time management feels like it should be easy. Maybe you only have one child, not 10. You don't have financial struggles or health issues that take up your time. Perhaps you're still young, with no reason not to feel capable of managing your time. Why, then, does time management for moms feel impossible? Sure, both you and your partner work, and you don't have regular help from others. But your house is … [Read more...]

Scared to Breastfeed? 7 Reasons That Will Tame Your Fear

Breastfeeding

Published Apr 29, 2020 Updated May 19, 2020

If you're pregnant and scared about breastfeeding, you're not alone. Many moms are scared to breastfeed. Learn the 7 reasons that will tame your fear. For many soon-to-be moms, the thought of breastfeeding not only draws anxiety and worry, but outright fear of the unknown. Will it hurt? What if my breasts keep leaking? Will breastfeeding be hard? How do I nurse in public? And will it feel... weird? You don't understand how other moms can't wait to nurse, or how they see breastfeeding as a time to bond with the baby. All you have on your mind are the nagging fears and questions … [Read more...]

How to Get Your Toddler to (Finally) Poop in the Potty

Development

Published Apr 25, 2020 Updated Jun 26, 2020

Wondering why your child still isn't pooping in the potty? Learn how to get your toddler to poop in the potty, handle poop anxiety and avoid messy accidents! Despite his success with potty training in just three days, my toddler wouldn't poop in the potty. After several months, he still didn't get the hang of pooping in the potty. It seemed like he had a poop accident in his underwear every day. I knew rewards were ineffective, but even praising him for his progress didn't seem to work. In fact, he knew when he needed to poop, but rather than sit on the potty, he'd hide in a corner … [Read more...]

How to Breastfeed Twins: A Step-by-Step Guide

Breastfeeding

Published Apr 22, 2020 Updated Jun 14, 2020

As if breastfeeding wasn't challenging enough, now you're dealing with two! Learn how to breastfeed twins with these tips. The lactation consultant entered my hospital room. "Let's practice tandem feeding," she proposed. We propped a few pillows under my arms, and she handed each baby to me. As natural and easy as I hoped it would be (especially having done the same with my eldest), I instead felt awkward and inexperienced with two babies. How was I supposed to support each of their floppy heads? I wondered. What do I do when I need to burp them? Am I supposed to switch sides, or … [Read more...]

9 Tips on Staying Motivated to Breastfeed

Breastfeeding

Published Apr 14, 2020 Updated May 24, 2020

Breastfeeding can take you by surprise and even discourage you from continuing. Here are 9 tips to keep in mind for breastfeeding motivation. Disclosure: This article contains affiliate links, which means I will earn a commission—at no extra cost to you—if you make a purchase. For the first months of breastfeeding, I felt like a cow, and it had nothing to do with my post-pregnancy body. If I wasn't breastfeeding, I was pumping. I didn't realize how often babies need to eat, or how long each feeding session would take. At family parties, I was either draped with a shawl cover or … [Read more...]

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