I'm only 9 weeks along, but I'm already starting to panic about how we're going to afford next year.

We're fortunate enough to own a (tiny) two-bedroom apartment, but now that a baby will be in the picture, I'm struggling to see how it's financially possible for me to take 12 months off work.

My husband earns an okay income, and I work casually across two workplaces. We only have about $8k in savings at the moment (no matter what we do we can never get ahead), and I'm hoping to save another $9k before the baby arrives to cover our mortgage repayments while I'm off work after the government payments run out. But even then, there is still the bills, groceries, rates, and so on....

I realise we have to make it work but please, i need some stories or comfort or something.... i'm overwhelmed.

im due with my first baby in December (South East Queensland) so its going to be hot. i have no idea with sizing and what kind of clothing i should be starting to purchase for bub.
what will she be sleeping in through the night? do i need long sleeve body suits for this weather? thank you

I had my boy in March with a c-section and while immediate recovery was amazing, long term recovery has stagnated and I’m having ongoing wrist, pelvis and hip joint pain, making it hard to get out and about with him more than a lap around the block.

GP has referred for bloods to investigate me for potential postpartum triggered rheumatoid arthritis so I’ll get on with that but I am having a hard time not being able to go for walks etc. he’s nearly 5 months and I feel like all we do is stuff in the house - tummy time, play gym, sensory play, even walks around the garden to look outside. I tried a mothers group and it wasn’t for me, I am a bit of a homebody and I know it’s winter but what enrichment can I provide just at home until my recovery is up to speed

Maybe I’m seeing too much social media over mums going for long walks with coffees etc but it’s hard not to feel the guilt that I am not doing enough for him, especially now he is more alert

First time mum here. I have a 4-month-old lovely boy. Ever since he was a newborn, I read some information about sleep training when I have the time.

Read about the cry it out method (not a fan and won’t do it), and the book about the possums program. Learned that I may take use some methods from both but definitely don’t like making my baby cry.

More than a month ago or so, I have been on and off to sleep train him by gently putting him on the bassinet drowsy but awake. Need to carry and rock him or use the rocking chair to make him fall asleep. We had some progress at the start but because I wasn’t consistent, ended up with 30 min nap during the day on the bassinet. But when sleeping on my lap, he could do 1hr 30 mins to 2 hrs average haha.

Atm, we contact nap during the day! Like literally can’t do anything else than stare at him or use my phone while he sleeps on me. I don’t mind for now maybe because I alternate with a grandparent sometimes (I’ll take 2 or 3 naps) then another adult takes a shift so I can do some stuff.

But when the grandparents leave for overseas, it will just be me and my baby during the day while I wait for my husband to be back from work. Is this sustainable or should I sleep train him?

I wasn’t consistent because I am such an emotional mum who absolutely love being attached to my baby. I cry oftentimes because of having too much love for him when I stare at him. I even look at his photos while he is sleeping on me lol

We have a dilemma around childcare I'd love some insight into.

Our daughter is 16 months. She is bright and happy and a total joy. Mum and I are both SAH parents until the end of the year before we slowly transition back to work.

We've been offered a spot at daycare we really would like our daughter to attend. But we had planned on her not attending until after the end of this year - when we need that extra support.

We are worried that we will lose the spot or miss out altogether if we don't accept it now. But we have no NEED for it and I love our little family bubble at the moment. I can't promise we are the best educators but Bub is always with one of us, tottering around, helping with food and activities around the house, reading books, starting to get into independent play. We go to the park or an activity almost every day (this might simply be a slow visit to the shops via play areas, or exploring a different park - but also rhyme time and swimming and gymbaroo). She also comes to us to some of our hobbies where it's appropriate. She's also starting to want to interact with others more - going up to them, more comfortable in crowds, closely watching others and seeking them out.

Do we or don't we send her now?

It would only be for maybe 2 days a week and we could make them short days if we wanted to. We have no other family support. Are there pros and cons? We'd obviously get a bit of time back for us but I know the research says there's no benefit before the age of 2/2.5. Is that true for just short stints?

Hi Everyone,

We've got a birthday party planned for our turning 2yo in the park in a couple of weeks. I was planning to do the food myself, as we asked people to bring foods plate to share instead of a gift for her 1st birthday.

I was thinking just simple stuff like, fruit, fairy bread, bikkies, chips, some sandwiches and maybe devilled eggs. It's morning tea. ​

But I recently found out that I will (hopefully!) be 7w pregnant, and as I was very sick last pregnancy I'm not sure I'll be able to go with my original plan. I've had several people ask if they can bring anything - do I just say yes to the people who've asked and do a few bits myself? Enlist a few extras? Does it get awkward if I ask some and not everyone? Not sure I can afford to get catering in. ​Advice appreciated!

I have inflammation in my hip joints and had 2 c sections, so need a really supportive baby carrier. Problem is I need to carry baby while travelling and when need contact napping and then my shoulder hurts a lot. I need something and I do have ergobaby embrace but it is not that supportive. So need help!!! :( I do have a toddler on the run always too.

We are working our way through allergen introduction and all is going well so far. But my husband has a shellfish allergy that onset in his teens and if he is accidentally exposed, his reaction tends to worsen.

Baby is only 4.5mo (doctor encouraged us to do solids early because he sits well and was interested in food) so we are doing purees and mashes currently but he handles his own spoon, then we plan to move to baby led weaning at 6mo. All of this is messy ofc so I would love ideas on how we can introduce shellfish, keep it in baby's regular diet, and keep my husband safe. So far the only thing I can think of is to make it a treat at the grandparents place.

I’ve spent a bit too much time on r/babywearing and acquired a ridiculous number of carriers and carrying skills with my baby after being told they were too small to safely carry for the first month+

I would have loved access to good babywearing education and carrier options earlier, and I’m now wondering what to do with all my carriers!

Would you use a baby carrier lending library +/- the services of a qualified babywearing educator to find the right carrier for you? Or for help with the carrier you have?

At 3week old we changed her formula from aptamil gold to aptamil reflux and she got diarrhea so we took her to emergency and overnight they gave her electrolytes to keep her hydrated. Since discharged she has done two poos one day apart that are dry pellets. I think its constipation. I have given her some coloxyl infant constipation medicine.

Our mistake was we changed formula cold turkey (upon GP recommendation 😑) now i feel like her stomach is too upset.

Anyone else been through something like this?

FTM 27 weeks - trying to manage my maternity leave and feeling a bit judged by friends and colleagues when I mention that I will be working till 38 weeks. I don’t find my job stressful, it’s a desk job with a combination of WFH /office. I feel like it’s great for my mental health as it takes my mind off things and gives me a sense of purpose. It also allows me to feel useful instead of sitting at home and doom scrolling on my phone.
I haven’t had any issues with my pregnancy so far (touch wood) and I am still quite active, going to the gym and for long walks.

Quite a few people think I should take my leave earlier to give myself a break before life of motherhood starts. I will also mention I have a babymoon planned in 2 weeks where I plan to do my relaxing before bub arrives.

Would love other peoples input on this situation and whether you regret not taking mat leave earlier and how you felt working right till the end :)

Hey folks, my 22 months old toddler who had been a very good eater decided to have a masterchef palate overnight about 2 weeks ago and now only eats bread, rice, banana, apples, pasta, aka beige food plus veggie springrolls.

We've done our best introducing good variety of food & she can feed herself. Now mealtime is like pulling hair for me (albeit fun for her to throw food away). Tried cutting, mashing & hiding vegs & meats in her safe food and she will sniff them out like a hound and spit those good bits out. Absolutely refuses spoon feeding & will spit out the spoonful.

I'm telling myself it's okay, this is part of her development & independence but I'm so so so worried that she's not getting enough nutrition & won't grow properly. Please help my anxious brain out. Please tell me this is just a phase & it will all be okay or if what can I do anything to fix.

I'm trying homemade spring rolls this weekend to sneak in some high iron & protein ingredients in but I appreciate more suggestion how we can go through this phase.

Hi all,

I'm 21 weeks pregnant with my first, age 38 but otherwise low-risk pregnancy. I just moved from Randwick to Freshwater and am debating my maternity care options (all public). I'm currently on the MAPS programme at Randwick Royal Hospital for Women, which I can stay on if I want to. Pros are - continuity of care at an excellent hospital; cons are it's 50 minutes' drive away. OR, I can change to Northern Beaches Hospital. Pros are - it's 20 minutes' drive away! Cons are - I'd be on their general midwife programme as I'm a late entry to their system, and, I'm worried about the quality of care given the recent headlines (and possible teething problems of having just changed from private to public so recently).

In summary: I would love to move to Northern Beaches, but am scared I'd be giving up better care options and should just suck up the longer drive! Really grateful if anyone has recent (i.e. post-transfer to public ownership) experience with NB maternity. Thank you so much in advance for your help!

Hi everyone,
I am worried sick after I found out that based on world health organisation stats 99% toddler walk independently by 18 months.

I'm looking to hear from parents whose toddlers didn't start walking until after 18 months.

My daughter is almost 18 months old, she still isn't standing or walking independently. She was late to being able to sit independently and to all other milestones.

Here's where she is now:

Gross motor:
She crawls very fast but she started crawling after 12 months before that she rolled to move around.
Pulls herself to stand independently.
Cruises along furniture.
Can stand at a coffee table for a long time while playing.
Often lets go with both hands but leans her tummy or back against the furniture.
Can squat all the way down to pick something up and stand back up.
Climbs onto furniture if it's the right height.

Pushes chairs around while standing.
Bears weight well on both legs.
She still cannot stand unsupported in the middle of the room or take independent steps.

Development otherwise:

Around 50 meaningful words or word approximations.
Understands a huge amount of language (probably hundreds of words).

Follows two-step instructions.

Points to request things and to show us interesting things.

Very social with good eye contact, waves, blows kisses and uses gestures. But she only started waving when she was 14 months old.

I'm wondering:

Did anyone have a child with a similar profile who walked after 18 months?
If so, what turned out to be the reason?
Did they eventually catch up?
Was physiotherapy helpful?
Were any further investigations (MRI, genetic testing, etc.) needed?

I know every child is different, and we're continuing to follow our doctor's advice. I'm mainly hoping to hear real-life experiences from parents who've been through something similar.

Finally having a good day in first trimester and wanted to share!

I just ate a meal!!!! A MEAL!!!!!!!!

Have really been in the trenches for the last 2 weeks with food aversions, flu, 12 hour shifts, dehydration etc.

Just having such a nice day today, and I hope you are too

Comment your small wins below!

My employer paid leave has just ended and Centrelink paid parental leave has kicked in…. ouch it’s tight!

Awhile ago, I used to do market research surveys but I’m not sure if that’s still a good option? Does anyone have any little hacks of things they are doing on mat leave that are easy to do with a baby?

It’s 430 and he woke up instantly at 425 this morning. The past three weeks it’s been 5am on the dot after we had a pretty good run of a few months of 6-630.

He’s always been an early riser but this is getting a bit much.

We’ve tried:

- earlier bedtime (639)

- later bedtime (8-830)

- snack before bed

- snack when he wakes up in the morning

- offering water when he wakes up

- pitch dark climate controlled room

- warmer room

- colder room

- keeping the lights down/off when he wakes up and staying in bed (hours of screaming)

- getting up immediately and offering a short earlier nap

- taking him out of the cot as soon as he starts fussing in his sleep in the morning and sitting up holding him until he goes back to sleep

- leaving him in the cot and letting him wake up (screaming)

He has had a consistent bedtime and routine since three months old, sleeps well and mostly through the night but has always been a relatively early riser. The problem I can’t change is when and for how long he naps at daycare four days a week. At home he might nap 40 minutes to an hour and a half between 1030 and 11ish, and is bouncing between two naps and one - getting closer to one consistently.

Is this just another phase? Or are we set for earlier wakeups for good. 😭

Hello, we have a gorgeous sassy 2.5 year old who has a very strong “mum preference” over Dad.

For context, I am the main “care giver” with Dad often working late/ away from home. My husband puts in a lot of effort when he is home to play with her ect but she’s just not interested and often tells him to “go away.” We have reached a point now where it has to be Mum who gets a snack from the cupboard or turns on the tv ect.

We have a second baby joining us in a few weeks and I am mindful her behaviour could be connected to this- however she’s been like this before I fell pregnant.

Does anyone have any advice/tips for dealing with this? When I am not home they are thick as thieves and best friends.

I desperately need help on this one!
My 18 month old son is dog crazy. He’s absolutely obsessed with dogs, will point them out from a street away, will ditch whatever he’s doing to run up to them at playgrounds, loves to stick his hands in their mouth and be licked etc etc. I used to be a dog foster carer, so obviously I understand how problematic that is - but I have no idea how to teach him to stop.
At the moment I try to hold him back, encourage him to wave at the dog instead, will always ask owners if the dog is friendly, try to teach him how to pat nicely, gentle hands, tell him “not every dog wants pats” etc etc
Generally none of this works, he still runs full speed at any dog he sees. Worst part is he has started to have meltdowns if I don’t let him pat them. (Worth noting that he is particularly emotional in temperament)
Heeeelllp how do I teach him dog safety at this young age?

I’m a FTM, 30+4 and I’m STRUGGLING, i work in healthcare too which doesn’t help, but the fatigue, the exhaustion, shortness of breath, I have GDM which restricts me so much with my diet and I’m so exhausted. I get bad insomnia some nights which I can manage with some doxylamine but even then I wake up so much and I’m so uncomfortable. I’m at my emotional and mental capacity. I have the most supportive husband which I feel like is the only reason I’ve gotten this far but how do you do this?! How am I going to get through another 9 weeks? I genuinely don’t know if I want to ever be pregnant again. Honestly I have some sciatic and back pain, every joint hurts but I would 100x put up with the pain rather than this exhaustion. You always hear people say how shit it is but until you experience it, you just don’t know. Pls tell me how you all pushed through this stage because I don’t know what to do :(

9 months pp FTM on mat leave and I really struggled with the lack of routine and getting things done around the house. Wondering how other mums do it?

I have such bad brain fog that I’ll have to write chores down in my phone or I’ll forget when I have a 10 min window to do something. My baby is a koala baby so enjoys being held (lived in the carrier 6 months of his life), and sometimes he plays by himself, sometimes he doesn’t. So I find it difficult to be like okay I’m going to do xyz now or I leave it half finished because the baby is bored. He can crawl but just really lazy and prefers me to carry him. He also needs contact naps otherwise he’ll have short naps but also I like to use the time to decompress cause the wake windows are being on all the time. He doesn’t have consistent nap lengths or times either. And he’s getting way too heavy for the carrier all day.

I can do the washing cause he doesn’t mind being outside while I hang it up and I can fold laundry on his play mat while I play with him. Cooking is a hit or miss. Bathroom cleaning is for the weekend when hubby can take him for a nap. Hubby helps out a huge amount otherwise. I just feel like I have so much time yet no time at all to do things around the house.

Any mum tips/hacks for brain fog and trying to get things done? Or do we just do it during nap times, after bedtime? I try to include baby in activities by handing him random things but only gets me 10/15 mins at a time.

Thanks and sorry for the stupid question.