This post may contain affiliate links and CorporetteMoms may earn commissions for purchases made through links in this post. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
This looks like a great idea for a kid who loves to color — plus it likely takes up a lot of time in the day over several days! I love that you can personalize it with a single name or up to three names — and if you use washable markers, you can wipe it down with water and reuse it.
The themes are adorable, and one of these would make such a cute decoration for a bedroom or playroom once finished. I think this would be a major win as a special gift, for the holidays, or as a treat.
The 4′ x 4′ size is $55 and the 4′ x 6′ is $65 at PaperdollStudio.ca. Doodle Rolls
Sales of note for 4.18.24
(See all of the latest workwear sales at Corporette!)
- Ann Taylor – 50% off full-price dresses, jackets & shoes; $30 off pants & skirts; extra 50% off sale styles
- Banana Republic Factory – Up to 50% off everything; extra 20% off purchase
- Eloquii – 50% off select styles; 60% off swim; up to 40% off everything else
- J.Crew – Mid-Season Sale: Extra 60% off sale styles; up to 50% off spring-to-summer styles
- Lands’ End – 30% off full-price styles
- Loft – Spring Mid-Season Sale: Up to 50% off 100s of styles
- Nordstrom: Free 2-day shipping for a limited time (eligible items)
- Talbots – Spring Sale: 40% off + extra 15% off all markdowns; 30% off new T by Talbots
- Zappos – 29,000+ women’s sale items! (check out these reader-favorite workwear brands on sale, and some of our favorite kids’ shoe brands on sale)
Kid/Family Sales
- Carter’s – Up to 70% off baby items; 50% off toddler & kid deals & 40% off everything else
- Hanna Andersson – Up to 50% off spring faves; 25% off new arrivals; up to 30% off spring
- J.Crew Crewcuts – Up to 60% off sale styles; up to 50% off kids’ spring-to-summer styles
- Old Navy – 30% off your purchase; up to 75% off clearance
- Target – Car Seat Trade-In Event (ends 4/27); BOGO 25% off select skincare products; up to 40% off indoor furniture; up to 20% off laptops & printers
See some of our latest articles on CorporetteMoms:
Click here to see our top posts!
And — here are some of our latest threadjacks of interest – working mom questions asked by the commenters!
- If you’re a working parent of an infant with low sleep needs, how do you function at work when you’re in the throes of baby’s sleep regression?
- Should I cut my childcare down to 12 hours a month if I work from home?
- Will my baby have speech delays if we raise her bilingual?
- Has anyone given birth in a teaching hospital?
- My child eats everything, and my friends’ kids do not – how should I handle? In general, what is the best way to handle when your child has some skill/ability and your friend’s child doesn’t have that skill/ability?
- ADHD moms, give me your tips to help with things like behavior in the classroom, attention to detail, etc?
- I think I suffer from mom rage…
- My husband and kids are gone this weekend – how should I enjoy my free time?
- I’m struggling to be compassionate with a SAHM friend who complains she doesn’t have enough hours of childcare.
- If you exclusively formula fed, what tips do you have for in the hospital and coming home?
- Could I take my 4-yo and 8-yo on a 7-8 day trip to Paris, Lyon, and Madrid?
MNF says
Anyone hitting the labor day weekend sales for kid stuff? I’m looking for new jammies and new shoes. Even with the sales at Carters, the Amazon version 3 pack sleep and plays are still cheaper. I’m trying to decide what to do for shoes. I know people love Stride rite, but I’m having decision paralysis. All summer we’ve lived in the native kids shoes that I bought from a friend after they didn’t work for her son. I think my kid has normal feet. Any specific recs? Can I just keep her in footed pajamas her whole life and not have to think about baby footwear?
Anonymous says
How old is your child? Both DD and DS (13m) have started out with see Kai run. DD (3.5) now does stride rite or new balances. She is relatively active and needs something sturdy. We take them to a kids shoe store since a) you only get one pair of feet and b) we’re supporting a local small business.
Cb says
Footed PJs are totally fine, I didn’t put my kids in shoes on until he was walking. I did have these Lodger Swedish booties for winter that I really liked because my son’s feet got chilly hanging out from the sling.
MNF says
I should have mentioned that she is 18 months, so she’s walking (well, actually only running or she’s asleep) outside so we do really need shoes. Sounds like saucony is a good value and that’s what I wear for sneakers, why didn’t I think of that?
AwayEmily says
I forgot about labor day sales and just ordered a bunch of kids fall/winter stuff from Old Navy, H&M, and Uniqlo last week. Oops. Re: shoes, about six months after both of our kids started walking we put them in kids saucony jazz sneakers and never looked back. I like that they come in half sizes, and they are durable enough to get passed down to multiple kids. Bonus: they are very hip.
While they were still unsteady on their feet we did See Kai Run.
Anon says
Those saucony sneakers have been workhorses at our house too (my son just cycles through each size).
We also love Cienta maryjanes when they are a little older for my two girls who really care.
Quail says
+1 we just bought the exact same new balance sneakers in every size. Made life much easier.
Quail says
I got some good deals on winter and hiking gear for my 5YO at REI. Base layers, hiking pants, and socks. And some darn tough socks for me, yay! (We are a pretty outdoorsy family and also have a younger one who can get these some day as hand-me-downs, so I’m extra happy!)
For shoes – we’ve liked new balance from about 2 on. Before that, some combo of Robeez and stride rite worked for my pretty fat-footed toddler. New Balance come in wide widths which was necessary for a while there, but not anymore.
By the way, we only bought shoes for our first when it got to be October and the day care was like, um, kid needs shoes to go outside (not yet walking but cruising). Kid wore a lot of footie jams!
Anon says
For shoes we love the tsukihoshi sneakers and see kai run for sandals, but kiddo has wideish feet. Otherwise, I think what I am looking for is winter stuff. Kiddo needs new snow boots, winter-weight sweatpants, sweatshirts and a few sweaters, but I am holding out for the all cotton cable knit ones and haven’t seen those yet at our typical stores (hanna and gap) and I would rather do it all in one order. I think, particularly given being home at least through January, we can fill in everything else with the spring stuff from last year that should still fit through January barring any absurd growth spurts. This is also the first winter in “big kid” sizes instead of toddler and I am just not excited about the clothes I am seeing because they just seem too old (age-wise) and trendy.
Cb says
Book rec, My Big Shouting Day by Rebecca Paterson. My son’s nursery teacher recorded a reading of this during lockdown and my son was obsessed. It must have sunk in because today he was a gremlin this am and when I asked him if he was feeling better he said “I just had a big shouty day, sorry Mama!” and gave me a cuddle!
EP-er says
In a similar vein, we loved “My No No No Day!” by Rebecca Patterson. Some days are just hard (and some are great!) and it is good for the children to hear that message.
EP-er says
Hahaha.. it is the SAME book! I missed the author in your post, until my post showed up. If you are in the US, look for the My No No No Day. :)
DLC says
OMG- When I read your first line, I thought, “This title sounds like a good book for me right now.” Then I realized it was a kids’ book, not an empowering can-do adult book.
AnotherAnon says
+1. Everyone in my family has had some big shouty days lately.
blueberries says
Does Primary usually do a big sale sometime in the fall? I need to stock up on clothes for kiddo, but I’d like to wait if they normally have a sale.
V says
Hard to say. Periodically they do 20 or 25% off a purchase of say $75 or more, but I can’t recall any particular patterns.
Anon says
In the past they haven’t done a big sale. I don’t even think they do much in the way of discounts for Black Friday. They have a sale section on their website year-round that gets beefed up periodically but it tends to be stuff that’s out of season and limited sizes. This year might be different though. I’m not sure if they were struggling financially or trying to help people who might be struggling, but in the spring they did some big promotions heavily discounting even the newer merchandise.
Fall and Winter Coats says
What’s everyone doing about buying new coats and shoes for your kids? My kiddo is almost 5 and needs a fall jacket that will hopefully also be the carseat winter jacket. I really just want to take her to the store where she can try on several brands in multiple sizes and I can see what fits her well, what is too bulky for the car seat, etc. I just feel like ordering online/returning doesn’t work for this. I mean it could, but I want her to be able to try on 5-6 brands in multiple sizes. She is currently going to in-person pre-K everyday, but it ends at 2:15. I’m thinking about just taking her to the store right after school. I mean, this is an essential, right? She’s literally been in a store twice in the last six months. So we’re not taking this lightly. But I think this counts for an exception. And I kind of feel like as long as we’re out, I should get her feet measured to order some new shoes.
anon says
Are you looking for suggestions for coat shopping or permission to bring your kid to a store (or several, since you mention trying on different brands)
Bringing your kid to a store is not essential. Ordering online and returning might be more work over more days, but it’s not impossible. Maybe your risk tolerance would allow for it, but that’s a decision you need to make yourself.
AwayEmily says
We just buy the same shoes (saucony jazz) and same coat (patagonia reversible down sweater hoodie, which is carseat-safe) every year. Boring but effective. I usually get the Patagonia the year before on clearance from Backcountry.
anon says
+1. We always just get the Patagonia down sweater. My kids find it to be really comfortable.
Boston Legal Eagle says
Similar here – I’ve gotten the OneKid car seat safe road coat for the past few years. Pricey but our kids are in cars every day and it can be passed down to the next kid. It’s warm enough when you zip it up to play outside in the winter, so really you could just have the one coat for all winter needs (we typically also have a cheaper puffer around as well for weekends).
Anonymous says
You can both wear masks and go to the store. Local retail stores need our business.
Anon says
+1 I’m trying to be better at doing some select shopping locally (I’ve given target way too much money this summer…)
Shopping for kids makes sense. I haven’t brought them in for clothes but I did for shoes so they could get sized and try them on.
anon says
If she is comfortable with masks and you are, maybe aim for a good shoe store first, get that done and if you have time/feel comfortable, go somewhere to try on coats with the goal of understanding sizes/styles. Then you can resume your shopping online. Has anyone used BuckleMeBaby car seat jackets? I found one on eBay after learning of the brand. Might be worth a try here. Good luck!
Walnut says
I masked my toddlers up and took them shoe shopping. We were focused and efficient with our search and chose an off peak time during the week to go. I certainly wouldn’t begrudge you for this.
Anonymous says
We are not doing in person shopping for reasons particular to our family. We just got the next size up of the Children’s Place coat we had for the last two years. We just don’t wear coats in the car, though. But if you had one you liked, are you able to get the next size?
anon says
I don’t think there’s anything wrong with going to a store, masked up, to try on coats or shoes. Some things really are easier to gauge in person than ordering online.
Anonymous says
I think it’s fine. My DH is out of town a lot due to work, we don’t have local family, and obviously not having a babysitter right now. I take my kids to places with masks if I have to. It’s fine.
OP says
Thanks, everyone. I appreciate the validation/permission. I have Covid fatigue and my risk tolerance is creeping higher. I just wanted to make sure I’m not being unreasonable.
Anon says
We buy NorthFace fleeces and the kids wear them in the car through the fall and much of the winter (with hats). I put blankets over them as soon as they get in
Anonymous says
If you are comfortable with it, just go. I took my 4 and 6 y/o shoe shopping today because one of them is impossible to fit. She tried on more than 40 pairs!
We also hit up the nordstrom clearance and they had a blast. It was a fun little taste of normal, even if we were trying on shoes in a designated box taped on the floor and wearing masks.
Leatty says
Please send good vibes my way. It has been one hell of a week. I gave birth to my second child, who had a very scary episode several hours after birth where he choked on amniotic fluid he had swallowed and started turning blue. It took a team of several nurses to help him clear it. He is doing fine now, but I’m still a bundle of nerves that it might happen again. Then, less than 36 hours after he was born, my beloved aunt lost her battle with cancer. She lived out of state, so I won’t even get to go to her funeral or be there for my mom (who lives in the same town as my aunt). I have a good support system, but I’m a bit of a wreck right now.
Quail says
Oh no, how scary, and sad, and overwhelming. Sending virtual hugs. I’m so sorry for the loss of your aunt.
Boston Legal Eagle says
I’m so sorry. Let yourself cry as often as needed and don’t feel like you have to be strong for your baby or your older one. This is a stressful time even without all of these extra factors, but especially now. Hopefully you’ve got food delivery/cleaning services/anything else you need to survive.
Anon says
That’s terrible! I’m sorry. Hang in there.
ElisaR says
I’m so sorry Leatty, that’s a lot. Sending you good vibes… kiss that baby boy extra all day and night.
Walnut says
I’m sending you a huge hug right now. What a week.
anon says
((hugs)) That is a lot. I’m sorry. You’re allowed to be a wreck.
Anon says
I’m sorry, that sounds very scary and sad! I’m glad your son is doing ok and sorry about the loss of your aunt.
ElisaR says
new nanny started this week. It’s the first time we’ve ever had one. On 3 of the 5 days there was some issue.
Day 1: “oh wait I forgot, I’m on vacation in Ohio and we aren’t returning until Tuesday”
Day 3: I have to have a cyst removed and stitches so I’ll be late today
Day 5: “I have a stomach bug. I can still come but wanted to let you know.”
I told her not to come. And now work is thrown into a tizzy. And the whole Ohio visit business is making me a little crazy. I found out about that after we hired her. Should I have made her quarantine after returning? I should have. But I didn’t because we needed care. We are in NJ and in a county that has very low infection rates. So now this makes me second guess my whole family’s labor day weekend plans. Should I stay away from my parents? Brother’s family? The beach where we planned to be on this lovely weekend? Does Covid manifest itself as a stomach bug ever? Ughhhhhh I hate this.
Anonymous says
You may have posted about this before, but how wedded are you to a nanny vs daycare? Because this does not sound like reliable long term childcare. What did she tell you about the Ohio trip? Do you generally trust her to follow safety protocols?
Boston Legal Eagle says
Yikes, sorry, this sounds like a bad nanny. She forgot she was going to be on vacation?? Unfortunately, yeah I would probably stay away from others this weekend, unless she has a negative covid test.
Realist says
+1. This is 1st week, she is on best behavior. It is downhill from here. Yikes.
Unfortunately also agree on staying away from others unless she gets a negative test. I would offer to pay for her test and fire her as soon as the results are conveyed. I would send an email to DH now to document your plan to fire her and the reasons she is being died so you documented it has nothing to do with her Covid status. If your area doesn’t have fast testing results, just fire her and get your own tests for the family.
Realist says
*fired, not died. Ugh.
Anonymous says
You should do what you were going to do and fire your nanny with no severance.
Anon says
Even in non COVID times I would definitely let this nanny go. She forgot to tell you she was on vacation??? For her first day of work?? And didn’t tell you about an appointment she presumably knew about in advance until morning of?? Just no.
FWIW, I had some stomach issues in July and I did a video appt with a doc. After half an hour of discussing solutions etc, he never even brought up the possibility it was Covid. So I finally asked (as that was my fear) and he said COVID almost never manifests as just stomach issues with none of the other symptoms. Also, my daughter randomly threw up the other morning (as kids often randomly do) so we kept her home from preschool for the day but brought her back the next. Our school has a lot of rules and procedures for COVID in place, knew she threw up the day before, and was fine with her returning (since I don’t think random throw up is really a symptom). Just in case either of these things help put your mind at ease?
Anon says
(I should add that I am obviously not a doctor, and if you are more concerned about her potential exposure from her Ohio trip which it sounds like you know little details about, that in itself maybe a reason to be COVID wary).
Anon says
I know someone who tested positive for COVID and their only symptom was GI issues. Although given how many people are asymptomatic with COVID, I suppose it’s possible that they were entirely asymptomatic from the COVID and just ate something bad.
Anon says
We’ve had three nannies over the years and I can count on one hand the number of sick days taken. We’ve gotten lucky but one reason I love having a nanny is reliability). Of course we give a lot of vacation. All this to say, she sounds incredibly unreliable and you can do better.
ElisaR says
thanks all – yes, she is clearly not going to be a good fit long term. i definitely realize that.
i’m more wondering what to do this weekend. I have been up front with my parents and they still want to see us, I’m not sure my brother and his family are comfortable seeing us which I understand. I don’t want to ruin their weekend by going to the beach and forcing them to stay home. I also don’t want to stay home for selfish reasons (beautiful weekend, last weekend of the summer, long weekend, oh and our house is under major construction so we can’t play in our yard or sleep in our normal bedrooms and it’s a mess)
Anonymous says
Don’t stay home. Your lying nanny probably isn’t sick at all.
ElisaR says
certainly possible.
anon says
Day 1: ok, i get it people forget, but Day 3 seems a little sketchy to me. A cyst removal? With stitches? that doesn’t just pop up… especially given the protocols in place on outpatient procedures. Go with your gut and cut your losses now and find a new nanny. Good ones are out there!
AnotherAnon says
I love this board for the varied reactions you get to a scenario. For me, not showing up on day 1 when you’ve had multiple opportunities to say “hey actually that start date doesn’t work for me.” would be an automatic “Hey thanks for playing. This clearly isn’t going to work. Best of luck in your job hunt!” from me.
ElisaR says
true. i cut her a little slack because in the beginning I said to her “do you want to start Sept 1 or Monday?” and she picked Monday….. then texted me Sunday night and said she was returning to NJ on Monday. She is 20 yrs old and I made up a scenario in my head of a parent/family member who was driving and unsympathetic to her schedule….. which is ridiculous. yes i’m aware it’s ridiculous.
Anonymous says
She’s 20? Oh haha no. She was probably partying with friends and wanted to do something fun on Sunday night.
AnotherAnon says
Honestly I’m being vitriolic. I just can’t believe she did that to you. If I had been in your shoes I would have panicked and tried to make it work too, at least for the week. Sorry you’re dealing with this.
Anon says
I’d be concerned about this persons honesty, not just scheduling reliability, and that’s a no-go in a care provider. Recommend looking for a new option as stressful as that will be.
anon says
Parents of elementary-school kids: Where are you buying pajamas for your kids? I’ve always bought Carter’s, even for big kids, but I’ve noticed the fabric quality has gone downhill over the past few years. They become shapeless and faded in a hurry. I’m hoping to avoid Hanna prices but maybe that’s the way to go since they’re older and in the same sizes longer? They both wear a new pair almost every night … drives me bonkers, but I have given up on policing this battle.
Anon says
My preschooler wears a kids 6-7 (almost 8) and wears hanna jammies. I will say that when she outgrows them and I put them away, the hanna ones still look brand new and the gap ones do not. To solve for the pricing issue, I look for sales to see if I can get them around $25 or lower per pair, and I usually buy a size up. For example, earlier this year she could squeeze into the snug 5’s, fit into the 6-7s and can wear the 8s with baggy ankles. So some of the 8’s she has she will have been wearing for 2 years by the time she outgrows them.
Boston Legal Eagle says
Hannas here too, I try to wait for the sales. The Tea Collection short johns also fit my older kid really really well so I bought a bunch of those this summer (also mostly on sale). I do prefer Hannas for the long johns.
Anonymous says
Primary is my go-to for my size 6-7 wearing kindergartener. Also like burt’s bees, but not sure if they go past 7. I’m looking for other not-too-mature but still inexpensive brands — kindergartener definitely wants cute animal prints and it’s hard to find those that aren’t also pink and frilly. I grew up wearing Hannas (lived near an outlet) but they are so expensive – and for little kids I find the cuffs too small to get big hands through. We have some though and they do get worn a lot.
Anon says
We have a mix of Carters, Hanna (mostly bought on sale), and Primary. Primary is very soft and holds its shape/color well! We also wear new pjs every night so I got some Carters to supplement the others for cost reasons
anon. says
Primary. No question. I bought a bunch of shorts and short sleeved and long sleeved shirts (my older kid does not like to sleep in pants) and will pass them down. I will do this at each age. They are easy to mix and match and kids can pick out their own pajamas. They wear like iron and will last through the two kids and be passed on to nieces/nephews. PRIMARY!
Anonymous says
Hanna has an amazon brand that is slightly cheaper. That said, they go on sale a lot if you sign up for the newsletters.
Anonymous says
My 1st grade girl sleeps in lounge type pants and a baggy t shirt. She has one pair of llbean pj pants inherited from a cousin and a pair of flannel pants from her school. I think the rest are from old navy.
On top is one of the million camp or race or otherwise most free shirts we have.
Anon says
+1 I have a preschooler but we just do leggings/sweatpants and t-shirts too. Things sold as “pajamas” are cut so narrowly that we have to size way up in order for her to get into them and not look like a sausage and then they’re comically long. For context, she’s almost 3 and wearing 5T in most clothing brands and the 6-7 Primary PJs were way too tight on her. I just returned them instead of doing an exchange because I figured the 8-9 would be absurdly long. She’s very tall for her age, but she’s not the height of a typical fourth grader. We’ve had the same experience with other brands, it’s not just Primary.
cbackson says
I am starting back to work in a few weeks. I’ll be WFH with a full-time nanny. Because I’m WFH, rather than pumping we’re going to try having the nanny bring the baby to me for feedings. However, this means I need to block time on my calendar so nobody is trying to get me on video when I’m nursing – which means I need to put the baby on some kind of schedule. Right now, he eats about every three hours, starting from whenever he wakes up in the morning, but to make this work, I’m going to need to feed him at a set time every morning. He typically gets one night feeding although occasionally he sleeps through (he sleeps from 6-7.5 hours at a stretch, generally wakes between 3:30 and 5 for a feeding, and then goes back down for a few hours). Is it as simple as waking him to feed at 7 AM even if it’s only been a few hours since he last ate? Any other suggestions around how to get a previously-unscheduled baby on a schedule? He’ll be 14 weeks when I start working again.
(Note: I am senior enough that I generally have the ability to block my calendar/decline to be on video for meetings in order to facilitate this, and I will have a limited supply of pumped frozen milk and formula available for the nanny as well. Baby is primarily breastfed but gets a formula bottle before bed.)
cbackson says
Also, forgot to say this, but obviously my baby doesn’t eat at 3 hours on the dot, so I’m going to have to block out windows of time (like, the nanny can bring him any time between 9:30 and 10:30) and I know there are going to be days when this just falls apart.
Anonymous says
I don’t think you need to block time. Just say you aren’t available for video and dial in.
Anonymous says
I agree with this unless the culture at your workplace is demanding regarding video. In that case, I’d just be honest about why you are turning video off from time to time. But I know not everyone is comfortable with that level of sharing. I had some amazing women before me at my firm who very much normalized BFing and pumping.
cbackson says
Video is the default for meetings at my company, and is mandatory for some of my exec team meetings. But I have a meeting with the CEO before I start back and I think I’ll just remind him then that I’ll need to be off video sometimes.
Anon Lawyer says
Babies are all different, obviously, and I’m not sure how old yours is. But I went back to work in April at the beginning of Covid and my baby was 4.5 months. I was doing more or less what you describe except my mom was watching her. Now, at 9.5 months, she’s on a pretty good schedule but it took a couple of months. She just wasn’t ready for it yet when I went back to work and I did exactly this – just turned off video sometimes. I’m sure people knew why but I didn’t say anything.
1:27 Anon says
Agree with Anon Lawyer that this will be a short season. A month or two before kiddo is on a reasonably regular routine. But I agree with your initial point that the routine depends somewhat on wake up time. I’d give it a month or two if you can for both you and baby to ease in to decide if/when you need to be waking kiddo up in the AM. You’ll likely find that these phases change a lot during the first year. And while I agree that nursing is way easier than pumping, maybe you’ll find that a combo works best for you to help have a semi-predictable work routine.
Anon Lawyer says
Oh I should add that it took her about two days to figure out she could make her “I’m hungry” noises and be brought to me even if she wasn’t hungry. Little minx.
Anonymous says
+1 I think you’re overthinking this. How often are you on video? I’d really only do that for certain 1:1 meetings. Or just log on and wave and then turn off your camera. The set morning Start time isn’t that difficult, think of how things would be if you had to go to work/do daycare drop off. Yes, you would have to wake up the baby for the day to feed/change/leave the house.
cbackson says
Haha, I probably am. Rereading it, I’m like… yes, obviously I just feed him at a set time…
Anonymous says
Or you don’t and you just say you can’t do video from time to time.
Anonymous says
Or feed kiddo under a scarf, blanket, whatever on video. Turn your camera off when you need to remove the blanket to switch sides, latch, etc.
Boston Legal Eagle says
I personally would probably prefer to have a set pumping schedule, even if I was home and baby was home too. That way you’d know exactly when you’d be unavailable for video meetings everyday and would avoid the awkwardness of waiting for baby to wake from an extra long nap when you are expecting to feed. I know it sounds a little wonky to pump while everyone is home, but I personally preferred the predictability (although I didn’t WFH when I went back to work). If you set your schedule, feeding the baby on demand makes sense, but if you’ve got a lot of other people trying to plan meetings and looking at calendar blocks, feeding on demand is a little trickier. YMMV of course, I didn’t hate pumping.
Anon says
This seems easier. I’m expecting my first child in October and will be WFH with a full-time nanny starting in January, and this is what I’m hoping/planning to do. If stars align and kiddo is hungry at a set-pumping time and I’m not on a call, I’ll nurse instead, but I feel like it would make me too anxious to try and plan for that for every feed. Plus, I worry that kiddo would expect to see me multiple times per day and that seems unrealistic if I’m also supposed to be working full time.
Anon says
A newborn won’t have any separation anxiety, but once they’re ~6 months or so they will.
Anon Lawyer says
Start having them take a baby when you’re home early. My baby absolutely refused to take a bottle if she knew I was in the house. No luck on that front until I started dropping her at my mom’s place and driving back home to work.
cbackson says
My plan was to pump, but for some reason, my production is really poor with a pump (even after working with my lactation counselor multiple times to make sure everything’s working right). Nursing the baby is really quick (I’m done in 30 minutes), but pumping a full feeding takes me close to an hour. I’ll do it if nursing just won’t work, but I definitely have a hard time with it.
Ano says
Babies aren’t that predictable and they change quickly. I think you just have to try and see how it goes and adjust as you can.
anon says
I tried this for the month I had in-home care during daycare closure. It was stressful even though we were on a set schedule. But what ended up happening was out of three “working hour” pump times, I fed during one of them, if I had the time. Pumping took the pressure off. Good luck, this is not an easy scenario!
Anon says
I would not wake a sleeping baby to get them on a schedule, personally. That just seems like borrowing trouble for not even a sure outcome. Also, babies get pretty conditioned easily so if you start doing that, plan on then having a 7 am wake up time all the time for awhile (which actually isn’t that bad relative to other babies, but man if otherwise you think they would make it to 8 or later on the weekends…I don’t know).
I think the people above saying their work mandates video etc etc are not taking into account the very special situation breastfeeding is and trust me, if you even bring this up as the reason you won’t be visible to a dude, they will probably get so uncomfortable they will let you do whatever. If this was normal times you would be locked in a room not doing anything but pumping so they should be grateful they get the extra work out of you that they would otherwise not.
Alanna of Trebond says
I know I sound like a shill for them, but I really encourage you to take the “Taking Cara Babies” course. Our little one has been sleeping through the night (11 hours) since 12 weeks old and it is really helpful. He naturally got on a fairly predictable schedule during the day after sleeping through the night — he eats every three hours during the day. I would also stop feeding him at night immediately unless your pediatrician says that he has some sort of weight gain issue.
Anon says
Anyone have any resources (books, podcasts, websites, anything really) for becoming a more grateful person? I had the Covid sads pretty bad this spring and summer, which felt understandable to me given that I was trying to work without any childcare and dealing with sad, anxious kids 24/7. But now we’re back in daycare, DH and I can work without interruption, kids are socializing and thriving, and even though our lives are probably 85% normal (which I know is so much better than so many people) I’m still grieving that missing 15% (vacations, birthday parties, kids’ museums and indoor activities, etc) hard. I know it’s understandable to miss this stuff, but so many people are missing the big things I have now like childcare and I feel like I need to reset my mindset somehow to be more grateful for what I do have and not so focused on what I don’t have. Especially because I feel like it could be a really long time before all these little luxuries return.
Anonymous says
I don’t have a specific resource (because I learned it form my husband who learned it from an in-person meditation course a long time ago), but we do three things you’re grateful for everyday. Another exercise that helps me a lot is identifying three things that went well and why they went well. Sometimes it is hard to find three! I also use the headspace app and highly recommend their courses.