First time mum - 3 week old

My little girl has wake windows lasting longer. What can I be doing with her now? I sing, talk and use black and white cards. I’m just wondering if I should be doing anything else?

Thank you ☺️

in our community

What advice would you give yourself?

I’m a first time mum to a nearly 6.5 month old and I’ll admit I’ve struggled quite a bit with postpartum mental health issues I’ve been referred through mental health services and at one of my recent appointments we finished the session with her asking me to reflect on what I would tell myself freshly postpartum knowing what I know now and it got me thinking just how far we’ve actually come in this time.

So I thought I would share the question. If you could go back to your freshly postpartum self what advice would you give her? I think I’d say to slow down because it goes by so quickly and to just give myself grace because you’re actually doing an amazing job (even if it doesn’t always feel like it)

How long is it ok to let babies cry?

If baby is not hungry, his diaper is clean and dry, he looks comfortable on his back just laying down. Sure I know he could be fussy but have been giving gripe water and of course burping. He just does not want to be put down and if he does he won’t chill for longer than 15 or so. Aahhh 😅

Vaccines

No judgement please but wanted to get people’s options and any website or medical research about the vaccines for babies. I am really undecided on if I want my little one to have their vaccines. Some of them contain metals which scares me! Any advice would be great

When to stop rear facing?

Car rear facing mirror gets kicked down every single car ride now from my long legged almost 2 year old! His legs are pretty bunched up i guess....
I'd like to keep him rear facing though? Who else loses their mirror every journey!

Routines.. or lack of

My baby is 3.5 months old and we still have no routine and it’s starting to really affect me - going out to meet friends or to baby classes is so stressful as I don’t know when his naps are going to be.
I’ve tried getting up at the same time everyday but his morning nap still never happens at the same time.
He always seems to be wide awake at the end of 90 minute wake windows so perhaps he needs longer wake windows? Day time naps are just stressful anyway as he’s so hard to get to sleep, we usually resort in carrier naps or contact naps after breast feeding.
How did you all start a routine, if you have one?

If breastfeeding, do people offer both breasts at each feed or just one?

I am intrigued as to any difference between offering both breasts compared to just one. For no specific reason, ive only ever offered one. My baby feeds a lot and is hungry (and grouchy!). I’m wondering if I should be offering both or if there is little difference!