Discussions & Community Support
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Without a sense of
caring, there can be no sense of community.
~ Anthony J. D’Angelo
Community means a lot
when you are a mom. In order to thrive, you must have a non-judgmental group of
mothers to whom you can turn when others may not quite understand what you are
going through. This process is truly healing. Whether you are sharing an
amazing milestone that your child has accomplished or voicing your frustration,
a friend who has been through similar experiences can not only hear what you
are saying, but they can truly empathize with your situation. As mothers it is
nice to hear, “I went through that while I was breastfeeding too,” or “I had a
similar worry about my daughter while she was teething.” Who better to share
your triumphs and struggles with than another woman who has actually been
there? Each step of parenthood is an exciting and sometimes frightening time so
mothers can greatly benefit from a caring woman-to-woman connection.
In the summer of 2013
Mindful Body Mothering was born to connect moms-to-be and mothers together in
support of one another. When this blog was created, it never occurred to me
that people may not only want to comment on topics that I posted, but perhaps
they may have something important to share with a community of mothers. As a
result, the community support section was created. Please feel welcome to
share anything that is on your mind. As parents, we have all worried about
certain topics and we may have simply needed reassurance that it would be okay
or be given reliable resources for help, so nothing is too silly to bring up!
There is also an anonymous option when you post to this website so your
name will remain unknown if you wish.
Would it be a bold decision to try to get my 11 month old down to 1 nap? She has been dodging her naps left and right this past week. It is so frustrating and I'm wondering if her sleep schedule is off.
ReplyDeleteA child will start napping 1x a day when they’re about 1 year old. This age can vary per child. My son went down to 1 nap at around 13 months old. When he transitioned it seemed to go pretty well for the most part. The key for us was to have him on a consistent schedule. Some moms I have spoken to say that it took a period of a few weeks or even months to get their children down to 1 nap and some days it would vary from 1 to 2 naps. Kids are experts at letting us know when their ready for the next step, so if you feel that she’s ready, try it out. Hope this helps and good luck.
ReplyDeleteHere’s a link to infant and toddler sleep from the Mayo Clinic.
http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-living/infant-and-toddler-health/in-depth/baby-naps/art-20047421
Thanks for the link!
ReplyDeleteAnyone else getting tired of cooking for a toddler who immediately throws food all over the floor before tasting it? That's pretty much how mealtime goes at our house.
ReplyDeleteYou are definitely not alone in the toddler food battle. It can be trying to prepare a meal for your child in hopes of not only nourishing them, but making them like what you are serving them. I like to mix foods together a bit, like with quiches and tacos. Even some pureed soups are a good idea because you can get a lot in there. My son has been known to dump a whole bowl of food onto the floor, so we give him a bowl and utensil and add small portions to his bowl or plate so all isn't lost at once. Here is a good article on getting kids into a good mealtime routine. Hope this helps and good luck. This phase is not easy!! http://familydoctor.org/familydoctor/en/kids/eating-nutrition/healthy-eating/when-your-toddler-doesnt-want-to-eat.html
ReplyDeleteMy kid won't sleep on her own. No matter what. And will wake up at least a few times in the night. At this rate, I'm going to be nursing her for life.
ReplyDeleteLoosing sleep, even when it's to be expected because of the nature of early parenthood and beyond, is never an easy task. Your body needs adequate sleep to function during the daytime and sleepless nights call for very long, tiring days. I have definitely been there and I understand how hard this can be for you and your family. It will get better.
ReplyDeleteWhen your child is 3 months or more, they are able to sleep without night feedings, considering your child's overall health. I am assuming your daughter may be older. Here are some tips I have tried, heard of or read about:
Load your baby up with food during the day into the evening, even increase feedings as the day goes on.
While you're weaning in general, (not sure of the specifics of your situation) it is important to make it a smooth, slow transition because of the shift of your hormone levels and having your baby adjust. Start with 5 hours the first night, stretch it to 6 the next, etc.
Tell your baby that it is time for sleep and not time to eat. They will be fed in the morning.
Have your partner step in for the final nighttime ritual (after bath time, story and goodnight kiss) and have them comfort your baby throughout the night during this transition. Out of sight out of mind has helped our family.
I know this phase can seem larger than life right now, but it will pass and I wish you the best during this trying transition. Thanks for stopping by, and check back to see if anyone else has offered some more advice for you.
Here is a site from a company called Breast feeding USA, which has great tips on night weaning as well: https://breastfeedingusa.org/content/article/night-weaning-older-babies-and-toddlers-mothers-share-their-experiences
I really love the concept of your blog and the community that you provide moms. I wish I knew about your website when I was going through postpartum depression. What a lovely mission of support. I admire your work!
ReplyDeleteYour friend via CBN,
Jacquelyn of www.diydesignmom.com
Your idea to create a supportive community for moms is a good one. I can't imagine raising children alone.
ReplyDeleteGood info! I wish I had found a group when I was a toddler, it was such a hard time for me.
ReplyDeleteUncookie cutter, great blog name! I agree wth you. Sometimes simply knowing you're not alone in your triumphs and struggles could make all the difference.
ReplyDeleteMichele, The busier we become with the "to dos" in our days, the further we drift from our support systems sometimes. The good news is there will always be someone out there ready to help out or simply to share your view. Thanks for stopping by.
ReplyDeleteJacquelyn,
ReplyDeleteEach person that contributes here makes a difference, so your thoughts greatly effect the group in a positive way. Thanks for sharing a little about your experience.
Your support means so very much.
Best,
Kim
What a sweet way to build and develop connection through community! I love how you take care of others through this site.
ReplyDeleteRandi, so glad to help and have others help others here. Thanks for stopping by and I hope to see you back.
ReplyDelete