u/Practical_Ask7239

Just as the title says, I am terrified of giving my 9-month-old daughter solids, and I’m hoping to hear from other parents who have been through something similar.
In the beginning, I felt pretty confident. I introduced rice cereal and oatmeal around 4 months, and she loved both and tolerated them really well. We eventually moved on to purées and started introducing some finger foods as well. I used the free version of the Solid Starts app since I don’t really have extra money for the full version (thanks, daycare), so we were learning as we went.
There are definitely foods she has loved, especially things like pancakes, and I felt like we were making good progress.
Then about a month ago, we had two really scary things happen back-to-back.
First, we found out the hard way that she is allergic to peanuts. She broke out in hives and was extremely itchy, so we rushed her to the hospital. She has since had additional skin and blood testing, which also came back positive for a peanut allergy.
Then, shortly after that, she choked on a piece of watermelon rind that she somehow managed to bite off. I had given her the watermelon in the way recommended by Solid Starts, but she managed to get a piece of the rind and actively choked on it. We performed back blows and thankfully got it out. That experience really shook us. We took a break from finger foods and went back to mostly purées.

Now we’re trying to get back into solids, but I am SO anxious. I’ve been giving her very tiny pieces, basically about the size of the tip of my pinky, and so far she has been completely fine. But I’m also worried that I’m not giving her enough opportunity to actually learn how to chew and manage different textures.

I did talk to the nurse practitioner she sees for her checkups, and she told me not to worry and that I should expect her to choke on things as she learns. Honestly, that advice didn’t sit right with me. I understand that gagging is part of learning, but after actually watching my baby choke, I’m having a really hard time being comfortable with that.
I’m also trying to find a pediatrician who is closer than an hour away since we live in a small town, but in the meantime I’d really appreciate advice from other parents.
How did you regain confidence after your baby choked? How did you safely transition from purées to more textured/finger foods? Did you work with a feeding therapist or someone else?

I know I’m probably overthinking everything, but I can’t help feeling like I’m failing her by being so afraid to give her solids. I’d really appreciate any advice, experiences, or reassurance from parents who have been through something similar.

My daughter just turned 9 months, and we’re starting to buckle down on what we want to do and who we want to invite to her birthday party. To be honest, I don’t want a big party with everyone from both sides of the family coming, and I feel like a b*tch for saying that.

For the first 6 months, we let people know they were more than welcome to visit and come see her. We didn’t want any guests until she was 3 months old and had her first round of vaccines. Nobody on my husband’s side really made the effort to come see her, though. It was a huge thing in the beginning when we didn’t let anyone come see her in the hospital or during those first couple of months at home, and honestly, it kind of feels like they’re still holding a grudge over it.

They always say, “I want to see her,” and when I tell them they’re more than welcome to, there’s never any follow-up. Now that her birthday is getting closer, I’m feeling selfish because the only people I’d actually want there are maybe 5 people, and 90% of them are from my side of the family.
This is one of those special moments that I know I’ll cherish forever, and honestly… I don’t want to stress about having to please everyone. I just want to focus on celebrating my daughter and enjoying her first birthday.

Am I being selfish for wanting to keep it small? I really am stumped on what to do.

I was going to post this at the one-year mark, but life has kept me busy. Today marks another important day, so I wanted to share my story in hopes that it might motivate someone else.

I started vaping in 2023, and I still remember that first puff. I had been a cigarette smoker before, but I quit cold turkey and stayed nicotine-free for four years.

Then came some of the hardest days of my life.

My dad passed away in a very traumatic way. I was left handling the paperwork and making difficult decisions while he was still technically alive but brain dead. The day I picked up vaping again was the day I had to go pick up my dad’s cremains. I left work, and as I was driving, I saw a vape shop. Something in me just snapped. Without a second thought, I pulled in, bought a vape, and drove to the funeral home taking hit after hit until the nicotine buzz calmed my nerves.

From that day on, it was nonstop.

I went from one vape a week to two, then three. The amount of money I spent on disposable vapes was insane. Looking back, I even racked up debt from it by putting purchases on credit cards. I hid it from everyone except my husband and his family since they all vaped too.

The addiction got bad.

I convinced myself it helped with my anxiety—until I didn’t have it. Then I was a mess. I couldn’t make it through a work shift without sneaking out to my car for a few puffs. If I was going out with friends or even on a date with my husband, I had to figure out where I could vape. I was the person who would panic if I misplaced it for two minutes.

That little device had complete control over my life.

Then I got pregnant.

In February 2025, my husband and I decided we were ready to start trying for a baby. Honestly, I didn’t think it would happen so quickly. On March 3rd, I took a test and it was positive. Then I took five more just to make sure.

As soon as it sank in, I realized I had a reason bigger than myself to quit.

In that moment, I threw my vape into a sink full of soaking dishes and saluted it goodbye.

The first few days were hard, but it slowly got easier. Driving without it was difficult. Going to bed without it was difficult. But every time I struggled, I thought about my baby. I wanted a healthy pregnancy and a healthy child.

By week two, it was much easier. By week four, I was barely thinking about it anymore. I stopped counting the days since my last vape and started focusing on the future.

Instead of looking forward to my next hit, I looked forward to my next ultrasound, feeling my baby kick, and imagining the life we would have together. Whenever vaping crossed my mind, I redirected my thoughts to my baby and the future I wanted for her.

Yesterday marked three years since my dad passed away. Reflecting on everything, I realize how far I’ve come. I had let myself hit rock bottom, but today I feel better than I ever have.

And now I get to experience life with my happy, healthy, beautiful 7-month-old daughter.

If you’re struggling with vaping or any addiction, know that change is possible. One day, one choice, and one reason can change everything.

First-time mom here, and I’ve been researching different sleep training methods for my 6-month-old, but I’m feeling overwhelmed trying to figure out what might work best for us.

Right now, she will only contact nap with me, and when she’s with me she pretty much insists on staying latched/on the breast to sleep. Interestingly, she naps much better with her dad — she’ll just wiggle up against him and fall asleep.

Bedtime has been the hardest part. She slept amazingly until the 4-month sleep regression hit. I used to nurse her to sleep, transfer her to the bassinet, and she’d wiggle around a bit before settling herself. Now, at 6 months, the second we put her in the bassinet she becomes absolutely hysterical. She’ll scream and cry until I eventually cave and bring her into bed with me.

I never imagined myself cosleeping because I’m honestly terrified of something happening, but I’m exhausted and don’t know what else to do at this point. I’ve tried Ferber a couple of times, but maybe I’m doing something wrong because she never really calms down.

If anyone has recommendations for sleep training methods that worked for you, I’d really appreciate it. If you have any helpful articles, guides, or informative links, I’d love those too.

We also finally got a crib and are planning to set it up in her own room this weekend, so I’m hoping that might help with sleep training and sleep in general since she won’t be right next to me anymore. Maybe that’ll make a difference?

First-time mom here, and I’ve been researching different sleep training methods for my 6-month-old, but I’m feeling overwhelmed trying to figure out what might work best for us.

Right now, she will only contact nap with me, and when she’s with me she pretty much insists on staying latched/on the breast to sleep. Interestingly, she naps much better with her dad — she’ll just wiggle up against him and fall asleep.

Bedtime has been the hardest part. She slept amazingly until the 4-month sleep regression hit. I used to nurse her to sleep, transfer her to the bassinet, and she’d wiggle around a bit before settling herself. Now, at 6 months, the second we put her in the bassinet she becomes absolutely hysterical. She’ll scream and cry until I eventually cave and bring her into bed with me.

I never imagined myself cosleeping because I’m honestly terrified of something happening, but I’m exhausted and don’t know what else to do at this point. I’ve tried Ferber a couple of times, but maybe I’m doing something wrong because she never really calms down.

If anyone has recommendations for sleep training methods that worked for you, I’d really appreciate it. If you have any helpful articles, guides, or informative links, I’d love those too.

We also finally got a crib and are planning to set it up in her own room this weekend, so I’m hoping that might help with sleep training and sleep in general since she won’t be right next to me anymore. Maybe that’ll make a difference?