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.
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Re: The Great Breastfeeding Thread
Change, swaddle, nurse is our favorite routine.
Drink lots and lots of water.
Pacifiers aren't confusing and can also be nipple savers.
When the schedule becomes predictable, nursing gets way easier.
It's okay to have days during growth spurts where you feel like a topless cow, it passes.
Like, what's with this lump next to my nipple? Dr. Google says probably a blocked duct or mastitis, but it's not painful...any suggestions for a remedy?
I get lumps when very full and massage them out while nursing.
I like this thread because it's the first time I feel like I can contribute. I nursed my first for 15 months, and pumped while I worked full time for most of that time.
Baby G born 6/6/14, 37 weeks 1 day due to preeclampsia. 5lb12oz 19"
#2 due Christmas 2016.
I plan to start pumping once a day (lo is 2 weeks)- but I'm not sure when to fit the pumping in
So my question is about pumped milk and storing. My supply is more than she needs, so I add to my freezer stash daily and keep my fridge supply at 3 days and make sure to rotate. let's say I get some good nursing sessions in a couple days in a row and my supply is getting close to the 3 day limit. Can I move the older milk to the freezer for further preservation? Or do I need to toss it?
This link contains more info on storing EBM: https://kellymom.com/bf/pumpingmoms/milkstorage/milkstorage/
I BF DS for 14 months and pumped at work. In regards to waiting to pump I started a few days ago with one pump session after DDs morning feeding (DD was 1 week old). Doesn't work for everyone but because my supply is so abundant in the am it just makes sense to utilize it and I have had no issues with it this far.
I also second/third/fourth ( whatever number we're on) the my Brest friend pillow. I tried it at the LC appt with DS 3 years ago and loved it but never bought it. I didn't this time and my back thanks me for it.
Keep hanging in there ladies! BF is no walk in the park but it does get a little easier with time!
There is some discoloration on it so I'm assuming its a blocked duct. It has gotten more painful when she latches on that side so I started massaging it and put a hot compress between feedings (difficult since we're mid-cluster.) I'll try massaging it while nursing.
I do want to share a triumph though...Maddie just latched and fed without a shield for five minutes for the first time since her first feeding right after delivery! She sneezed herself off and wouldn't get back on, but it's a start! Maybe weaning will happen someday...
I have to watch what I'm eating. It's a beeyatch...I've been on a lot of different diets due to my own allergies, the GD, now for mine and ds2's problems. he's refluxing bad, meds aren't helping ALL day. I am easing into eliminating dairy and coffee, just having less though I know I need it all out soon. I'm half hoping that the things I need to stop eating (histamine containing/relreleasing food) will be enough to help LO.
Also make sure you're bringing the baby to your boob vs boob to baby
I would get a pretty good amount of milk daily. Really though as PP's have said. Lots and lots of water!!!!
We have our "Irish Twins"
DD born 8/7/2013
DS born 7/28/14
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https://kellymom.com
I don't know if this is what you were trying to get at but I hope it helped a bit.
We have our "Irish Twins"
DD born 8/7/2013
DS born 7/28/14
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I was concerned with her short sessions too, even after my experience with DS. Had to remind myself that regardless of everyone else's nursing times, as long as weight gain and poopie/wet diapers are legit then it's all good
DS1 and I had thrush also. I had no idea what kind of pain breastfeeding could cause untill this! I like you was dead set on BFing so thankfully a trip to his pediatrian for a script for DS1 and I both and all was better in a couple of days. Praying to avoid it this time