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As a parent myself, congratulations. You found a second way motherhood and fatherhood are different that applies in the first few years. You really showed how someone else “[Simplified] motherhood to breastfeeding”
But as those kiddos age, motherhood and fatherhood generally converge more and more. Maybe there could be communities dedicated to “beyond the bump” stuff (or whatever that subreddit was called) for those first few years that motherhood is most relevant. But for the most part? Parenthood goes beyond the biologicals.
Thank you! My daughter had some medical stuff, and I joined Facebook groups related to some of those topics. Yes, most people posting there are moms, but there isn’t really anything mom-specific about those topics. So when I, a dad who is really trying to be involved in his daughter’s care (and happy to help other parents in similar situations) see posts starting with “hey mommas!” or “any moms who…” it kinda hurts.
Also, I feel like most people who made the full switch from Reddit to Lemmy are college-age-ish. Not nearly as many parents around here, so I’d rather not unnecessarily fracture those communities here.
My “nanopremie” daughter needed a lot coming home from NICU: medications, refilling oxygen tanks, nebulizer, plus the usual bottles and poop tracking, plus we have a dog who can’t be forgotten, etc.
I felt like half my time was spent standing in the kitchen wondering what I should do next. I ended up going old school, printing a checklist, grouped with different colors for things at different times of day and a column for each day of the week. Once I had a list that worked for me, I had it printed on card stock and laminated it, so I could use a dry erase marker to reuse it and have a rolling log of things like baths and poops.
That said, don’t fret too much about tracking that stuff. Of all the things that have advanced infant survival, health, and wellness, apps are definitely not a major driver. If it helps your sanity, fine, but also don’t get too focused on things you think will help your sanity… If that makes sense.
Appreciate it! She was born stupidly early - a little more than 3 months ahead of schedule. Birth weight 1.25 pounds/580 grams. When she came home she was on oxygen for a while and that really sucked. She’s also had (and still does) some feeding difficulties but that seems to be improving overall.
Still some developmental delays, but she’s definitely cruising. Today was day 4 of preschool (our state has universal preschool, and lets you enroll a year early for kids like mine). Already starting to see changes in her! Given how many “nano preemies” seem to have long-term issues, we seem to be doing pretty well now.