Hello, let me introduce myself first..
For the first 30 years of my life, everything was smooth and worry-free. I was my parents’ most beloved child, found my true love in college, and happily married him after graduation.
At work, I was my boss’s most valued employee. Whenever I was in charge of a project, colleagues would inevitably say, “Oh, then I’m totally at ease.” I was constantly named “Employee of the Year,” with generous bonuses every year.
Later, I started my own business. Within just three months, I had broken into the market and started making money. By the fifth month, I was earning twice my previous salary. Growth was steady month after month. Right when the business needed more hands, I serendipitously met an amazing partner, and the company reached a whole new level.
Really, it seemed like at every step, whatever I needed, a pair of hands would always place it right in front of me, just in time.
My Two Girls: Ellie & Mia
Meet Ellie, My Firstborn
In 2020, my husband and I decided to have a child. After trying for over a year, we finally got the news in 2021 that a little one was on the way. In 2022, we welcomed our first child, Ellie. She made me a mother.
She is utterly adorable—big eyes, rosy skin, chubby little hands. Every time I look at her, I can’t help but give her a kiss. She is pure joy, and I love her more each day.
But as a first-time mom, I faced unprecedented difficulties. The postpartum tearing wouldn’t heal, and the pain was excruciating. Clogged milk ducts made my breasts hard as rocks. The severe sleep deprivation… And what was even more crushing was that, with zero parenting experience, I was clueless when faced with her unexplained wailing, night terrors, refusal to nurse, constipation, diarrhea, fevers… I desperately searched online, longing for one accurate, truly useful answer!
It was during this time that I thought, once I make it through this “dark” path, I must leave a light on for other new moms.
And Then Came Mia
Ellie had just turned one when I got pregnant again. In 2024, we welcomed our second daughter, Mia.
Completely different from Ellie, Mia is a great eater and sleeper. Although she had her fussy moments in the first two months, starting almost from month three, she became super easygoing. She feeds on schedule, gradually sleeps through the night, loves her solid foods, and adapted quickly when I had to stop breastfeeding due to mastitis.
This made me realize just how vastly different babies can be! It made me even more determined to write about my experiences.
Why I Had to Start This Blog
The Catalyst: A Life Pivoted
After Mia was born, my business also began to decline sharply. I had no choice but to close it and become a full-time mom. My work no longer involves Excel and Word, but instead revolves around changing diapers, washing bottles, making baby food, and managing household chores…
This has been a monumental challenge for me. All my past achievements seem irrelevant now. Managing two young children has brought me a sense of frustration I’ve never known before.
The Daily Reality
They are always fighting over things. When one is in my arms, the other immediately demands to be held too. When I try to cook, Ellie wants me to read her a book. When I attempt to load the washing machine, Mia has a diaper blowout, and I must drop everything to change her…
By the time I finish all that, I see the cup of hot coffee on the table has gone cold again. And it’s not until evening that I remember, “Oh my goodness, the clothes are still in the hamper, unwashed!”
Of course, being a mom is filled with happiness, but that doesn’t negate how hard it is.
My Promise to You
Because I’ve walked this path myself, I won’t just tell you how joyful motherhood is, like many websites do. I want to share my real, unfiltered experiences so every new mom can find a “companion” here.
I want to tell you: you are not alone. What you’re going through, I’ve been there too. Your breakdowns, your helplessness, your moments of losing control—I’ve had them all. You don’t need to feel guilty. This is just a small, necessary stretch of the journey for every mom.
My Hope for This Space
I really want to share my parenting experiences—not just the warm, glowing moments, but to honestly document the pitfalls I’ve stumbled into, the tears I’ve shed, and the “survival wisdom” I’ve scraped together in utter exhaustion.
The Goal: A Mom’s Toolkit
I hope this blog becomes a “mom’s toolkit,” filled not with vague theories, but with:
- Practical Tips: Like how to quickly figure out why a baby is crying, tried-and-true methods for dealing with clogged ducts, or how to efficiently manage the daily grind with twins (or two under two) solo.
- Pitfall Avoidance Guides: Sharing the baby products I regret buying the most, and those “game-changer” parenting hacks. Letting you know which parenting anxieties you can let go of, and which principles are worth holding onto.
- A Community for Moms: I hope my stories connect me with more moms like you. We can cheer each other on in the comments, share our own tricks, turning the storms we face alone into a journey we walk together.
The Bigger Vision
My previous career taught me to analyze data, solve problems, and optimize processes. Now, I’m applying all those skills to this new “position” of Mom. I want to prove that a mom’s value is absolutely not confined to the home. The mindset, resilience, and creativity we built in our careers can shine just as brightly—perhaps even brighter—in this more complex, long-term “project” of raising humans, and can even be transformed into a force that helps others.
My hope is simple: that every mom who opens this blog can let out a sigh of relief and say, “So it’s not just me.” Then, she can find a bit of practical info, a dose of comforting solidarity, and return to her sweet, chaotic mom-life with a little more confidence and a little less weight on her shoulders.
This road? Let’s walk it together.
MrzHoz
member
Re: Another c/s & breastfeeding questions
I was on the pain meds and bf my dd. Granted it didn't work and dd was way to hungry, even after being on the breast for over an hour and having mulitple let downs. She was fine, and the nurses and pedi said it was fine to bf while taking it.
On a side note, I remember some lady on here said that her premie baby was given her milk and she was on pain killers.
Mom to Carter (6), and Calianne (1).
Proud VBAC, natural birth, breastfeeding, cloth diapering momma!
I didn't have any problems with pain meds mostly because after the initial 24 hours I didn't take anything stronger than ibuprofen. It wasn't nearly as bad as I thought it was going to be.
Most of the time, the doctors aren't idiots and will only give you meds that can't be transferred via breastmilk. I think Vicodin and Percocet are the faves.
Do not try to postpone breastfeeding. You want to get that established ASAP - like in recovery - to ensure things go well. Baby needs to learn to suck. Your body needs the "OK, let the milk in!" sign. It helps your body heal. Baby needs that first pre-milk for his immune system. It helps your bond. Etc.
Talk to your doctor about your concerns. He/she will be able to give you the best guidance about it. And, as a FTM, remember to relax. Let things flow, listen to your body and your doctor, and don't let the little things that really don't matter at the end of the day distract you from what you are experiencing: A new life.
Joe and Ashley ~ June 16, 2007 ~ Olivia Rae ~ May 12, 2008 ~ 9:06 pm ~ 8lbs 4oz ~ 20.5 inches ~ Miscarriage of twins ~ April 16, 2009 at 6 weeks. ~ Surprise BFP 6/23/09 13DPO ~ Eleanor Rose ~ February 18, 2010 ~ 6lbs 15oz ~ 20 inches ~ Caroline Ruth ~ February 19, 2013 ~ 6lbs 12 oz ~ 19 1/4 inches
Our family is complete!
In the hospital I was on Oxycodone and Motrin/Tylenol. When I got released (2 days later) I was on percoset and Ibuprofen. I breastfed successfully and continue to do so! It didn't phase my DD at all, and my OB and Pedi assured me it would not pass into the breastmilk. I really wanted to try and go natural and not take any pain meds, but after I discovered how painful it was those first few days, I began singing a different tune!!
Keeping your pain under control will make breastfeeding your LO much more bearable and even enjoyable. Good luck!
NO.
I don't know what happened with your friend, but doctors don't prescribe medicines that will harm the baby through breastfeeding. Maybe that baby had an allergic reaction to something?
I was on percocet and ibuprofen for a week and a half, with an occasional ibuprofen for the next two weeks. I had absolutely zero problems BFing and DD has thrived on being exclusively breastfed for over 6 months now.
I was on Percocet for a week pp, but once I was home (after 3 days in hospital) I didn't take it as often as directed because the pain was mostly tolerable. Then they gave me 800 mg Motrin when they took my staples out after 1 week. I took that on and off but didn't need it any more after a week or two. I hardly needed it at all, really, especially after the staples were gone. They were the worst part.
But anyway, I BF through all of this. Starting one hour after surgery when I got out of the recovery room and got to hold her for the first time. My baby was a little more tired at the hospital and I think that may have been because of the pain meds, but they are tired when they are newborns anyway so it could have been from just being born. I had trouble getting her to latch well when she fell asleep so much. But nothing ever happened to harm the baby from the pain meds.
IDK about postponing breastfeeding until after you are off the meds. You need to build up your supply, plus the colostrum that comes before your milk comes in is the best thing for your newborn baby to have. I guess you could pump and dump to get your milk to come in and keep your supply up until off the meds, but it isn't necessary if you take the meds at the right doses, or even lessen the doses if you can handle it.
Big brother and sister are excited to meet the new baby! It's a GIRL!
~ G ~ 10/2008
~ E ~ 7/2010