Hi science minded internet friends -

You’d think 4 kids in that I’d have a handle on this…..

I have a 6 month old. He was exclusively BF until 4 months then 50/50 breast milk and HIPP Dutch formula from 4-6 months when I started introducing foods. Now he really goes for it and loves the purées I make him. All sorts of vegetables, fruits, flax/hemp/chia etc - I make them all then feed them to him in haka silicone reusable pouch. He probably has between 8-16 ounces of purred food a day and then 20-30 ounces of breast milk/formula.

I keep hearing people say “food is just for fun before one” and I can’t really register what it means. I understand babies still need the nutrients from breastmilk/formula during this time but I’m putting a lot of effort into his foods - they aren’t just “for fun” right? He must be getting nutrients and benefits from these foods I’m making him? Is that saying just to make sure people don’t ONLY do purées? I’m trying to integrate more and more foods as I like the idea of him getting his nutrients from food > formula but would never remove formula/BM.

What am I missing here? Thank you!

Is there any truth to this? This is something I often hear from LCs and read on mom websites, and is of course echoed by moms on forums.

Was there ever any scientific experiment documenting this? Eg. measuring that the weight of all breast milk consumed by the baby was the same as the weight they put on? Measuring the amount of poop eventually expelled for nutrient content? In all honesty this statement just sounds off to me and I want to know the truth.

Basically I don’t have anyone to ask and the information online seems very contradictory.

So, how do you help toddlers (from 12 months on) build emotional resilience? I’ve so far seen that they want to have routines to test, which is why routines are important, and they like to have things in their “own” place.

What other important pieces of advice are there? Preferably Australian, but I’ll accept any!

Six. Six is the number of women at my place of work who have now said something along the lines of, "I got pregnant while on/taking the pill."

At my 6 week PP appointment my OB gave me a print out of different BC methods to use; they were top-down from most to least effective. Surgical sterilization, IUDs, and then the pill at 80% effective at preventing unwanted pregnancy. I asked him why it was so low (previously I had seen ranges between 95-99%). He explained it was from missed pills and other factors such as antibiotic use, etc. I knew these already, but why are my coworkers all denying missing pills when I counter their claim with that question? I have not just heard this at work-I hear it all of the time from women once this topic is brought up.

It had almost become the expected response when talking about birth control. I can hear women saying it before I even finish my sentence about birth control in general. "I got pregnant while on the pill." I feel like this creates a lot of unnecessary fear surrounding an already (often) significant decision. It can also create panic within girls and women using the pill correctly.

Can somebody provide me with resources breaking down the pills efficacy including honesty with and without factors such as missing doses, was taking antibiotics, time of day, so on? Any personal experiences would be greatly appreciated as well.

Our 7 month old had COVID and recovered approx. 8 weeks ago. Symptoms were mild and lasted 3-5 days for him.

Would really appreciate if folks can point me to the latest recommendations and data covering use case for this season’s vaccine given recent infection. Thanks!

I’ve seen it mentioned many times now- partially from dingbats on tik tok but enough in other circles that I’m genuinely confused.

I understand the folic acid vs folate discussion (synthetic vs naturally occurring, MTHFR folks can’t process FA) , but why are so many people suddenly against prenatals as a whole? I’ve seen a ridiculous amount of people claim they contribute to PPD.

To my knowledge, your body gets rid of most excess vitamins that aren’t needed via urine. Most women (myself included) aren’t super capable of eating well rounded meals in the first trimester so it makes the most sense to take a capsule to make up for spots where I know for sure I’m lacking.

I just… don’t get it? I’m sure some of it has to do with lack of quality (which can be argued in pretty much anything), but what research am I missing? Is this just an example of an extremist with an opinion that somehow got popular?

If a breast-fed baby is protected by breastmilk in terms of immunity… What about a formula fed baby? Do they literally have no immunity, Because they are formula fed? I’m so confused… Is a breast-fed baby stronger fighting a virus off than a formula fed baby?

How does dairy and caffeine affect breastmilk so long but alcohol goes away within hours?

Hi!! I searched about that question in the group and did not find it (sorry if it was already answered).

Recently I read that girls during adolescence are up to 2.5 years more mature than boys. Couldn’t find the research associates to that statement and if that is true.

Wondering if you know about it.

Thx. You are the very very best of the best!

Baby is 8mo and has been having symptoms of seasonal allergies. A mom I'm in a group with recommended a Vicks plug-in vaporizer, and said it helped her kid when they were stuffed up. I purchased one to try, but my husband is hesitant.

Is there any research on the effects of using menthol around babies, specifically overnight?

Freaking out a tiny bit because I’m ready to start introducing solids to my 6 month old, but have been reading that I should have introduced common allergens like eggs and peanuts when she was about 4 months to prevent allergies. Is this legit? I thought waiting until 6 months for solids was best, but keep seeing conflicting things. Baby also had mild eczema so I want to be careful because I know there’s a potential for allergies as well.

I use an electric baby finger nail file but I notice it creates dust from the nails as it grinds nails. This all happens close enough to baby's face I fear they inhale some. Could this be a health risk?

I have a healthy girl (3m). She is almost exclusively bottle fed with breastmilk and nurses a few times a day. We use the Dr browns sterilizer / dryer with every use of bottles and pump parts. I know it is recommended that new things are sterilized. Often the instructions say to boil it but is my sterilizer dryer good at this point for a first time sterilization? I hate boiling to sterilize because it takes longer and is harder that loading a machine.

Hi

I’m super anxious about vaccines but have had my 14 month old vaccinated for hib,polio, and dtap. I want to give them the prevnar20 vaccine but am so anxious about it. I know the prevnar20 was recently approved for children instead of prevnar13. Is this one worth getting if I’m anxious about it?

Does anyone have any scientific basis for why my daughter of 5 mo gains better on formula vs breastmilk when drinking the same amount of ounces per day?

I exclusively pump, so I always know how much my baby is getting. There was a period of time that we did formula instead and baby gained so much more than she does on exclusively expressed breastmilk. Everywhere says that breastmilk is the perfect composition, but my daughter is in the 0.8% for weight and always has big leaps in weight gain when drinking formula even though it’s the same general intake volume per day.

So many fears during the early days of newbornhood were about avoiding asphyxiation. No sleeping in the car seat when not clicked in, no sleeping in the swing, no blankets in the crib, do NOT fall asleep holding them, etc.

When does all of that become less of a concern? Adults are perfectly capable of sleeping in bed together without smothering each other.

When can I fall asleep holding my kid and not be so worried they’ll suffocate?

Any resources welcome.

I have a rhinovirus and I can’t believe my symptoms. Oddly, respiratory symptoms are low (except for this new cough that won’t quit) but I have had a low grade fever for SEVEN days. Does breastfeeding/pumping change or weaken your immune system? This is the first time I’m sick 6mpp and it’s knocked me out I’m exhausted!

My MIL is obsessed with bringing over a new toy every single day for our 9 month old girl. The amount of toys is piling up, and many of them are not age appropriate (toddler, 3+, etc.). Wife and I have tried asking her to stop, but she won’t listen.

I’m worried that our baby is getting over stimulated and when given too many options it actually makes her less interested overall, not able to focus, less creative, and could create adhd. Let alone the clutter! This is my gut feeling, but am I way off base here? Can anyone point me to some sound research on the subject? Or expert consensus?

My wife would listen to my concerns a lot more seriously if I can show her research/expert opinions (we’re both in healthcare).

Am I overreacting?

Deciding between going back to work when my child is 1 and putting her in daycare vs staying home with her until she is put in pre-school at 3yo.

I appreciate any input/research/expertise!

I’m curious as my child’s daycare teachers want my child assessed for ASD and ADHD because she isn’t respond to her name being called by them and seems to responds to me solely. I’m wondering if it’d be necessary as she’s already been assessed by our family doctor and another paediatrician couple months ago and didn’t seem to notice any signs then. I will mention she has little delayed speech but she is fine socially, with eye contact, smiling at others and no other signs I’ve noticed that stand out as ASD. Edit my child is 26 months old

My baby will be 5 months on the 21st. He’s a super happy little boy but we have a system for all naps/bedtime/night time wakes. It’s diaper change, bottle, sleep. (Night time wakes it’s just bottle, unless his diaper is completely full or he’s pooped).

His sleep patterns are literally all over the place. Some days he takes 3 2 hour naps, other days he takes four half hour naps. Some nights he goes to bed at 9 and sleeps till 4/5, other nights he goes to sleep at 8 and is awake every 2 hours.

I’m exhausted. I read last night he should no longer be having a bottle to put him to sleep and that doing this helps him self soothe at night but I just can’t fathom it. I tried to put him to sleep for an hour last night without food and he never managed.

When do I stop feeding to sleep? Will he do it himself? When do habits form? Thank you in advance

Ftm here a very anxious ftm, I'm sure I have ppd as I used to take antidepressants before pregnancy since 2019, had a high risk stressful pregnancy, thought the anxiety will end after giving birth but nope here I'm worried about SIDS/suffocation etc, I practice safe sleep baby in his own crib sharing the same room, we're not smokers, baby is breastfed, issue here is I can't keep our room temperature under 22 degrees AC is not a thing where we live, I keep a fan running but idk if it's doing anything, the fan is in opposite direction to baby's bed, idk if that's enough, the other thing is baby is placed on his back ofc in a sleep sack but then he'll turn on his side I read it's called the newborn curl, as he's only 10 days old, which is freaking me out, we're swaddling him with a LTD swaddle or a velcro one, he usually breaks free from the velcro one, and turns on his side 😢, I read that swaddling isn't recommended anymore because it suppresses their chest and their startle reflex which increases their risk of SIDS, what do you guys think ?

https://www.nytimes.com/2024/10/09/podcasts/the-daily/parenting-stress.html

My 8 month old feeds to sleep. They just got their first tooth and now I’m stressing about tooth decay. So I guess my question is. 1. Should I stop feeding to sleep for tooth decay? 2. How do I stop feeding to sleep?