In a world where we are taught that curating ourselves for social media is the utmost - I've chosen to not put their sweet little faces on the gram. Another look and another blog at why I don't put my babies faces on instagram. 

When I wrote my first breastfeeding post, I was 34 weeks pregnant and was getting ready to embark on a nursing journey I knew nothing about. I reached out to some of my best friends to write that post. They gave me amazing advice and really helped prepare me for what was to come.

Here I am again, this time 35 weeks pregnant and getting ready for another nursing journey. This time with a little bit more knowledge in my back pocket, and still leaning on friends to guide me through.

If you want to read the original post - you can find it here Bun Maternity + 17 Breastfeeding Tips! or my other one Breastfeeding 101! This one is honesty the most comprehensive :)  I've combined some of the best tips from that post and some new ones I picked up along the way. I also had a few questions from Instagram friends and I wanted to answer them here! 

Disclaimer: Links in the post may be affiliate links if you click them and purchase something it costs you nothing but I make a little percentage. Thanks for supporting brands that support EG.



QUESTIONS || 

Is there such thing as a pump that is more comfortable or less comfortable? Yes! I used the Medela Pump in Style Advanced with Quinn. It worked great for me for the entire time I nursed. This time I picked the Spectra - just to try it out! I'll keep you posted, and maybe do a full post on both once I've tried!

Ps. Before you buy, you can go here and get one FREE from your Insurance. I loved this pump. Granted it was the only one I ever used, but it was great. One major tip - try different nipple shields.

I remember, I was 2 weeks postpartum and I called my mom guru Lyndsey because when I pumped, I was literally pumping nothing. I knew something was up because Quinnie was eating well, and sleeping well, so I knew she was getting milk. I had read the instructions on what nipple shield to use (make sure your nipple doesn't touch the shield) but my friend told me to just go ahead and try the larger one. Once I did, OMG guys, I pumped SO much milk. Don't be afraid to try all the shields.

My boobs are so incredibly sore and I'm pregnant, tips for sore boobs now and after? First, welcome to the breastfeeding club! Sore boobs are a right of passage :) For sore boobs while pregnant - try hot showers and let the water hit them. Wear a comfortable bra! Girls, I hate to tell ya, but it's time to get rid of your sexy lacy bras and underwire, and exchange them for your nursing bras. Here are my favorites. But I swear, no underwire will be a GAME changer! If they are super sore, try frozen breast pads. I used these when I first started nursing and they are amazing.

Sore when you start nursing? Lansinoh nipple cream and frozen breast pads. Also, know the pain will end. Your nips will get used to it and then you'll forget about the pain (until your babe gets teeth) :) Related to sore boobs, not nips -- sometimes it felt good to pump after nursing. We did a dream feed (more on sleep schedules later) and sometimes Quinn wouldn't eat fully and I would still feel a little full. If I knew she wouldn't eat for another 3-4 hours, I would go and pump off the extra to ease the soreness.

I have clogged ducts, help! This happened to me once and OMG, I am so sorry. It is so dang painful. So my MIL told me when this happens, get in the shower, turn the water on VERY hot and let it hit your boob. Then, squeeze. Push hard on the area that is clogged. Ladies, this will hurt so bad. Ask your husband if you aren't strong enough. Trust me it isn't sexy, but sometimes you need the extra push. If it's not that clogged, nurse a little extra and massage the area as your baby is nursing. Honestly, them nursing is probably the best and easiest way. Or, just massage the area. Grab a heating pad and rub.

Milk Boosting Suggestions! I read somewhere that oatmeal helps with milk production, so what did I do? I ate oatmeal EVERY morning. Still do. I know that's weird, but it worked great for me (plus it kept me full!).

• I pumped after all my feedings (for the first few weeks).
• I made lactation cookies and balls. They are delicious. 
• I took these lactation pills! 
• I drank this tea.
• I chugged a ton of water, way more water than you think is necessary. My advice, get a Yeti and drink one per-feeding and then more in between. 
• I love these cookies too. 

25 BREASTFEEDING TIPS ||

1. Stay calm! Go to a zen place in your mind and your milk will flow like Niagara Falls! Literally think happy thoughts because if you are stressed or upset (which is so easy to be at first when the baby won’t latch and you don’t really know what you’re doing) your milk will literally shut off. Be patient with yourself - this is new but your body does the work for you.  Give it time and know that you are doing good 
2. Massage your boobs before you feed when starting out. You have milk ducts all the way in your arm pit (you’ll find this out when your milk comes in and it’s rock solid over there for the first few days!) but massaging really helps get the flow to start and helps the baby want to latch if they get a little teaser taste. 
3. Count dirty diapers to ensure she's getting enough milk/food. 
4. Those first few days at home - try different places to nurse to find what’s comfortable for you. I initially thought nursing in bed would be so easy, but it took me forever to get comfortable there. Turns out, this random chair in our family room was my favorite spot! 
5. Get a milk grabber. These are pumps that aren’t really pumps but they suction onto your boob that you aren’t feeding on and catch the leaking! So no wasted breast milk!  I got this one: The NatureBond Silicone Manual Breast Pump Breastfeeding Milk Saver Suction.
6. Have pineapple juice handy, it helps alleviate mastitis.
7. Let's talk Mastitis. Honestly, I never had mastitis, but I did have clogged ducts. One of my very close girlfriends had mastitis and guys, it sucks. She had flu-like symptoms, it hurt like hell, and she had to get on antibiotics to clear it. My advice, ASK FOR HELP. I have heard stories about women not asking for help because they're told "nursing hurts - suck it up." But ladies, it shouldn't hurt THAT bad. If you start showing symptoms, see a doctor. There is no shame is asking for help or asking for someone else's opinion. 
8. Don’t get discouraged if it doesn’t happen right away! My first day breast feeding my daughter was amazing but then the second day was awful! She wouldn’t latch, she was screaming and I was super stressed out (and that was still in the hospital!) but I ended up breastfeeding her until 13 months so just try to stay positive.
9. Lansinoh nipple cream, trust me and keep disposable nursing pads handy  - the first few weeks - you will leak and your boobs will hurt. I thought disposable pads were easier than having to wash reusable pads. Buy the disposables here. Quick tip - if your nips are super sensitive, the reusable ones are a titch bit softer (usually suede/velvet) if that feels better in those initial "breaking in" period. Buy the reusable ones heres.
10. Make sure the nurses put the baby on your breast (kangaroo style - naked baby to your chest (no clothes) as soon as it is possible.  
11. Take a class before you deliver. I didn't do this because I kind of forgot. If you have time, take a class, if you don't - don't leave the hospital until you meet with a lactation consultant.
12. The first few weeks it hurts (regardless of a good latch or not). Keep in mind, if it hurts SO bad, ask for help. But there will be a breaking in period of sore nipples, hard boobs (as your milk comes in) and a feeling of being generally sore. I had some nursing pads that you could heat or freeze and use after nursing to help sooth. They were so helpful throughout the entire time I nursed.  You can buy those pads here!
13. Ask for a lactation nurse at the hospital before you leave - maybe the second day after delivery (have them watch you latch multiple times - ask questions - take full advantage of their knowledge - have your partner/husband there taking notes (helps at home). This was huge for me. Quinn latched right away (god bless) but the THIRD time a lactation nurse came in, she gave me a new tip and Quinn fed SO much better. 
14. Find a mom group - ask questions. If you don't want to find a group, ask a friend you trust. Ask me! You should not have to go at this alone.
15. If the baby is crying while they eat or having a lot of spit up - look at your diet. Check for things like gluten and dairy, maybe even tomatoes. For me, Quinn spit up every single time I had BBQ sauce. Took me 2 times before I stopped eating it while nursing and boom, better.
16. Stay hydrated! If you think you drank a lot during pregnancy, think again. I remember sitting down to nurse and I'd have my coffee, a HUGE water, and a snack. It was incredible how thirsty I got during 20 minutes of nursing! And how hungry. Quinn would be done eating and I would scarf food. 
1. Ps. This Yeti is MONEY. Get this lid and these straws too. 
17. Try different breastfeeding positions - once my c-section got better (friend advice!) - I loved laying down to feed. But football was my go to in the very beginning because it didn’t have pressure on my c-section. For me, the traditional way to hold Quinn worked great for my left boob, and football hold for my right boob. Don't ask me why, it's just what she preferred! 
1. Also, this pillow is great! I used it at the veryyy beginning when Quinnie was so teeny. It's nice to help prop up your arms! 
18. You have to have a little humor when you leak or milk sprays all over - or when you shower and for a second think of the baby and there goes the milk. Or when you wake up soaked in breastmilk. Just remind yourself, you're doing this for the baby. 
19. Don't be afraid to offer a bottle. I think the "experts" say to wait until 6 weeks. We offered Quinnie one at 3 weeks. Adam was about to go back to work and I really wanted him to be able to feed Quinn and have a special time with her (and to help me out!). Quinnie started taking a breastmilk bottle at 3 weeks for her night feeding. One perk was I could tell exactly how much she was eating. The second perk, bonding time with Adam. The third perk, I got about an hour at night to sit on the couch, scroll insta, make dinner, relax! It was such a huge blessing. Plus when she went to daycare at 5 months, she took a bottle like a champ. 
1. Bottle Tips - Leave when someone else is giving your baby the bottle. Your urge when she fights it is to run up there and help. Don't. Give it time. Obviously if she never takes it you want her to eat, but give it time (like over an hour!). 
2. Plus, if you are in the room/house, your baby can smell you! She would much prefer your boob over a bottle.
3. Don't be afraid to mix up bottles. We tried different nipples, bottles, holds, etc. 
4. Warm the milk. 
5. Don't force it. It will take time to get her used to it. 
6. Here are the bottles we loved: Comotomo
20. Lose the snooze.  This was Quinn to a T - she would fall asleep within 5 minutes. Then she wouldn't eat well, if it all, was hungry, you get the cycle. If your infant keeps falling asleep on your breast, try tickling the bottom of his feet, stroking him under the chin, or touching him with a wet washcloth. Adam would grab an ice cube and touch her toes. She thought it was hilarious and it would wake her up.
21. Don't overwash your boobs. Hear me out. Babies smell you! Thats how they know it's you! Using harsh scents, soaps, lotions, can interfere with your scent! 
22. Trust your gut and be kind to yourself - there are a lot of changes after delivering and the 4th trimester is constantly full of them - ask for help! 
23. Get nursing tanks and good nursing bras. Just trust me. The first month you are very busy nursing, you leak, and you're sore. Also, don't worry about getting cute bras. I threw all mine out after Quinnie (thanks to leaking boobs) and got more. This is the time that boobs aren't totally sexy, sorry hubs. These are my favorite bras - they even come in a deep-v option! These are my favorite tanks.
24. Get a tracking app! At the very beginning when you're nursing a ton, you may forget which boob you started with last time, how long she nursed for, etc. I was told to switch boobs each time I started nursing at the beginning to help bring my milk it. Plus, it helps with engorgement. I used Boobie Time - it was simple and was just a timer for each side. There are much fancier apps where you can track the diapers, etc. 
25. Get a good pump. News alert - you get one for free with your insurance. Go here, put in your insurance, get a free pump! They will send it about 5 weeks before you deliver. With Quinn I got the Medela, with this baby, I am trying the Spectra! 

Holy cow friends, it's been ages. To be honest, life has felt too busy. Too busy in the very best way but still. Blogging used to come very natural to me. Words used to fall out of my mouth and topics came easily. But lately, it's felt the very opposite. But also, I've been craving the time needed to blog.

I'm trying to find the balance between being a mom, wife, podcast host, full time job, wanna be instagram influencer, helping with interior design for friends on the side, cooking dinner, etc. We all know the struggle. We all know life is busy and it sucks because this space has taken a full on back seat.

My life is very scheduled and my goal for 2020 is to schedule more time for The Everyday Grace.


Disclaimer: Links in the post may be affiliate links if you click them and purchase something it costs you nothing but I make a little percentage. Thanks for supporting brands that support EG.

Quinnie Update: Quinnie is almost 15 months old! She's walking all over the place, chatting, babbling, saying mama, dada, Lola, nana, papa, please, toes (random, I know). She gets excited over everything, loves to eat, loves music, dancing, her dogs, and is sleeping like a champ. She's my favorite little human. I'm so obsessed with her, it's crazy.

In November, as most of you know, she went to the ER with croup, and it turned in to pneumonia. This sweet little babe can't catch a break. Luckily, we are 15 days past pneumonia and she is doing better than ever. Thank you for all your sweet calls and messages. She's on the mend :)



The holidays: We spent 6 beautiful days in Arizona with my family. Sweet Quinnie decided she didn't want to sleep while she was in Arizona, probably because she was having too much fun, but other than that, we had a blast. We had so much Nana and Grandpa time, she just lights up around them. Plus, Quinn loves her big boy cousins, so it was extra special to spend so much extra time with her cousins, Aunt and Uncle.

We're heading to Omaha for Christmas for more family time with her other cousins and family. While we may not live where family is, we're blessed with the best, so traveling is part of our gig. What are you guys doing for the holidays?


Fun Things:

Dear Adam,

Can you believe it? We've made it a year as parents. We successfully lasted 365 days and we did it with the happiest, sweetest baby.

Isn't it crazy how this time last year, we were one week in to the parenting game. Honestly, I knew then that you'd be the most incredible father. Wanna know why? Because until Quinnie was about 2 weeks old, I never changed a diaper. If there was pee or poop, you jumped up and grabbed her quicker than I could get off the pillow I was sitting on. (Labor is a beast people).

You woke up with me at every feeding just to sit with me because you knew how lonely the 3 am darkness got. You brought me coffee (and still do to this day) every morning because you knew without it I wouldn't survive. You walked Quinnie when she cried, sang to her when she fussed, learned all about breastfeeding so if I ever felt lost, you would have some answers. You learned about diaper rash, bottle feedings, and how to suck boogers.

And now, you get up at 6am, get Quinnie up and go to work every day for us. You check in every day all day with me to ask for pictures of Quinn, get updates on me, how work is for me. You help me take Instagram pictures, you are late to work for birthday breakfasts, and you leave work early for doctors appointments. And then, you come home at 6pm and don't even act tired. You kiss me, grab your sweet baby and jump into dad mode without skipping a beat.

I see you mow the lawn, pay the bills, take out the trash, clean up the house, pick up groceries, grab me wine, order and make dinner all so I have just a little less on my place. I see you give Quinn baths, read her books, rock her to sleep, and then have time for me. I see you schedule date nights so we don't lose our spark. I see you pursue me, love, and cherish me. I see you work late because you're working hard for us. To build us this amazing life, to create a future for us, a future for Quinn.

All of that isn't lost on me.


These may seem like little things Ads, but honestly, they're huge things. These are the things I tell people when they ask, "How's Adam doing with the parenting thing?" I tell them parenting was actually made for you. I tell them about how Quinnie lights up when you walk in a room and that the love you two have for each other is intoxicating. I tell them you are dad goals and I won the lottery with you.

Ads, I'm sorry if I don't tell you daily how amazing you are rocking this dad thing. I'm sorry if sometimes I compare my "tiredness" to yours just because I was with Quinnie a little bit longer than you were. I'm sorry if some days you walk in the door and I feel like running out. Parenting is hard, but you make it so much easier.

Thank you for not only being on this journey with me, but sometimes carrying me through, letting me carry you and making it so dang fun. Your hard work is not lost on me. This parenting thing is hard work, coupled with more hard work, but so much more love. I am so so grateful.

I cannot believe I am writing this post. It is crazy to think 365 days ago, my little Quinnie came into this world. GF, took her sweet sweet time, but after 25 hours of labor, she decided to make her appearance. It's mind blowing. Quinn is a year old!


Lately, I've ben doing a lot of thinking about the last year. I've looked at all her pictures and I've watched all the videos. I've thought about the hard moments, like when she wouldn't stop crying and we didn't know how to soothe her. I've thought about the quiet moments where it was just her and me. I've thought about the memories we made, the pictures we've taken, the trips we've shared. Truth be told I have cried thinking about how big she is, about these memories.

But a few days ago I had a mind adjustment. Yes, it's hard to believe that Quinn is a year old, but I am so blessed that she is one year old. The alternative would be that she's not here. That we wouldn't be celebrating this sweet baby we prayed for forever. But we are here, Quinn is here and that fact is not lost on me. So yes, I'm emotional about her getting older, but I am so glad I get to celebrate her first birthday.

While I've been thinking about this last year, I've been thinking about how it's changed me, changed Adam and changed us. I always knew I wanted to be a parent. But honestly, I didn't think I'd love it as much as I do. Hear me out. I thought I'd love being a parent, but I thought it would be one more thing I'd add to the list of things I do, not become the main, best, all consuming, life altering thing. And, it totally has. Being Quinn's mom has changed my life in so many ways. Not only did I survive this last year as a mom, I thrived, I found my greatest purpose in life and I truly believe being her mom has made me a better person, friend, wife, and human.

She's given me the greatest joy I've ever experienced. She's shown me new ways to love myself, Adam, and the people around me. She's taught me that life is so much more special than I treated it before hand. That life is so much more precious. Time is invaluable, and love and family are the only things that really matters.

My prayer for my sweet quinnie, is that she always loves life as much as she does today. I hope she always makes that scrunchie face when she's happy. I hope she always loves baths, always belly laughs when mom tickles her, plays the "AH!" game with dad forever, and that she never stops smiling with her entire face.

Quinn Grace, you’re my greatest joy.

Likes:

• Being mobile. Gf doesn't wanna be held, or locked down. She wants to be everywhere.
• Lola and Henry
• Her sippy cup full of whole milk. 
• Her swing.
• Walks. We go on a long walk every day and it's her favorite time of day.
• Clapping and yelling yayyyyy! 
• The bath. If we let her, she would stay in the bath forever.

Dislikes

• Eggs
• Hamburger
• Red sauce on pasta 

Firsts:

• Molars. Guys, one year molars are miserable.  

Current Routine & Sleep: 

• 7am: Up!
• 715am: Breakfast
• 8am: Play
• 9am: Nap
• 11am: Snack! 
• 12pm: Lunch and play!
• 2pm: Nap
• 3pm: Big snack  
• 5pm: Mini-nap
• 6pm: Dinner
• 7pm: Bath and bed

Things to Remember:

• Her sweet giggle. It's honestly an intoxicating noise. 
• The way she explores and finds new things. She is so aware. She is always looking around, she is curious. 
• She is so joyful and happy. She exudes peace. 
• Her sweet little blonde curls.
• When we pick her up from daycare and how excited she is to see me. 
• When she is very hungry and shoves food in her mouth with both hands.
• The way she scrunches her face and sniffs when she is being naughty.
• The way she shakes her head no when you say no to her. 

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In just 2-3 months, a Eco Pea diaper will be more than half degraded.  Compare that to regular diapers which take 500 years to decompose, you can see why we're proud of our diapers and feel it's a huge step in the right direction.  And guess what?  Our wipes are already there.  They are 100% biodegradable!


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• Fragrance-Free and Odor Resistant
• Super Absorbent Core
• Wetness Indicator
• Natural Nourishing Aloe
• Incredibly Soft
• Size Label (Helpful when you have multiple kids)
• Snug Fit that Conforms to Movement
• Tape that Stays in Place and Doesn't Tear
• Responsible & Sustainable Practices
• 30 diapers per pack

Remember, use code kgrace01 to get $5 off your first order!

Quinn is TEN months old! DOUBLE DIGITS. Don't mind me, I'll just be over here crying and looking at videos of my baby, because now she is a big girl.

Cheers to my 10-month old babe. The last 10 months have honestly been the sweetest of my life. Albeit challenging at times, being Quinnie's mom is the best thing in the entire world. She is happy, sweet, loving, cuddly, spicy, and so dang cute.


Size: At our 9-month appointment, she was 20.4 pounds (88%), 28 inches long (86%), and 19 inches head (97%!)

Likes:

• Crawling! GF is on the move and loves it. She is all over our house.
• Lola and Henry
• Her sippy cup. 
• Blowing kisses to anyone and everyone 
• Big kids - even if they are only a little bit older, she is in awe of big kids
• Her Zebra walker.
• Her elephant lovey - and honestly, i love it too. It's so cute and soft. She can't sleep without it.
• Waiving to everyone. She now says hi and bye too!
• Her Hug-a-Bible 
• Walks. We go on a long walk every day and it's her favorite time of day.
• Clapping and yelling yayyyyy! 
• The bath. If we let her, she would stay in the bath forever.

Dislikes

• Hats
• Splash day. At school, they put her under a sprinkler haha and she hates it. (I don't blame her, I hate getting splashed too).

Firsts:

• Crawling! 
• Pulling herself up on everything! 
• Pneumonia! So sad. 
• First Father's Day!
• Moms first birthday with a baby!
• Lake Okoboji with our best friends.
• First Fourth of July!
• Saying hi and bye

Current Routine & Sleep: 

• 7am: Up and nurse
• 745am: Breakfast and play
• 9am: Nap
• 11am: Nurse 
• 12pm: Lunch and play!
• 2pm: Nap
• 3pm: Big snack (We just weened this nursing! Cue the tears!) 
• 5pm: Mini-nap
• 6pm: Dinner
• 7pm: Bath, nurse and bed

Things to Remember:

• How much she loves her dad. Whenever we are all home together, she is all about him. Their bond is the most precious thing in the world. 
• Her crawling and exploring her world. She is so curious. 
• Her giggle. When the dogs lick her, when we play peek-a-boo, when you tickle her, basically anything. 
• Her wink. 
• She claps and says "yayyyyyy" - she's cheering for herself. I hope she always has that attitude.

Quinn is eight months old! It's so hard to believe that our sweet little babe, who to me, seems like she was just born yesterday, is already 8 months old. She seems so grown up. She's sitting up, eating real food, "talking" back to us, and interacting so much.

I haven't done monthly updates on the blog, which looking back, I so wish I had! But it's never too late. Cheers to my 8-month old babe.


Size: We don't have an 8 month checkup, but I going to assume she is around 20 pounds. At her 6 month, she was 18 pounds and since then, she's been eating real food. So let's just guess, 20 pounds. She is wearing 9 month clothes and is almost outgrowing those!

Likes:

• Sweet potato, eggs, yogurt, cottage cheese, chicken, peanut butter, salmon, squash, mac and cheese, blueberries, and puffs. (And pretty much any other food)
• Lola and Henry
• Playing the "AH" game with Dada. He says AH and she yells it back. They go back and forth playing this game forever
• Napping - gf loves a good morning nap
• Sitting at restaurants in the high chair 
• Waiving at everyone
• Saying mama and dada
• Any and all music
• Her play piano
• The bath
• Her bouncer and her Joovy Spoon walker 
• Her stuffed animals, Roger the rabbit, Betty the bunny, and Mr. Bear
• Every single book, but especially the touch and feel books. (Never Touch a Shark) 

Dislikes

• Ground beef 
• Strawberries
• Poopy diapers
• Sunglasses

Firsts:

• Said mama! 
• We had a mama and daughter's day out at Nordstrom Cafe. 
• Backyard picnic (loved having her feet in the grass)
• Our first roadtrip is this weekend! 
• First time having the flu :(
• First mothers day! 

Current Routine & Sleep: 

• 7am: Up and nurse
• 745am: Breakfast and play
• 9am: Nap
• 11am: Nurse
• 12pm: Lunch and play!
• 2pm: Nap
• 3pm: Nurse
• 400pm: Snack
• 5pm: Mini-nap
• 6pm: Dinner
• 7pm: Bath, nurse and bed

Things to Remember:

• First time she said mama
• Her big smile whenever Adam comes home from work 
• How she loves to eat so much and kicks her feet while doing so
• How she laughs so hard when you tickle her tummy
• How she snores when she naps
• Her little wave and how she genuinely is so happy to see anyone and everyone
• How she smacks her lips when she eats 
• Her chubby hands
• How she can almost say bye bye - bah bah
• My first mothers day and how she took a nap on me
• How when I pick her up from daycare, she smiles ear to ear and waives at me

Quinnie, you are our biggest joy, sweet babe. You LOVE saying Dada, I’ll love when you say Mama. You love playing with your puppies, hate pears and bananas, but love chicken and yogurt. You are almost crawling (I bet you get it this weekend) and you crack yourself up. I’ll never get sick of hearing your laugh. Now, stop growing up, sweet girl.

Last month I did some instagram questions and one of you asked me a question I've been meaning to answer here. Will baby girl be on social media? The easy, quick answer is no.

Before we delve into the major details of that statement, let me preface with, I know this is probably an unpopular opinion (very unpopular). I know most people will think I'm being a little crazy/over-cautious/nuts. But, it's a decision Adam and I have made together and it's one we're comfortable with. 

Also, this post is not meant to be derogatory to anyone who posts their kids on social media, so please don't take it that way. Heck, all my friends and family post their kids on social and I LOVE it. I love seeing my feed littered with adorable babies doing the cutest things. So please, keep posting!

I didn't think I was going to talk about this because I figured who would care. But, since I share everything on social, I figured you would all wonder why I'm not sharing baby girl on social. I'm a little anxious to talk about this because honestly, I get it, I'm in the minority. I know a lot of you will think I'm being nuts or judgmental or irrational. 

But at the end of the day, I'm just trying to figure out what is best for me and my family and it really has nothing to do with anyone else or what anyone else chooses to do with their family.


I get it, our thoughts on this are the way extreme and aren't for everyone. And isn't that the coolest thing about motherhood and parenting and being part of a community where we can talk about these things?  

Social media + baby is a conversation Adam and I had before we got pregnant and our general consensus was we didn't want our kids on social media. Honestly. there wasn't a whole lot of thought past that point. For those of you who don't know, Adam isn't on social media anywhere. Sure, he has a Facebook, but I think his profile picture is one of us from literally 6 years ago. He doesn't love social and felt strongly about not having our kid on it. Hell, he doesn't love his appearance on Everyday Grace as much as he is. If it we up to him, social media wouldn't really exist.

I'm torn on this. I love social media. I'm on it all the time. I share on it, all the time. I love the community I've built and the friends I've made. Because of this, part of me wants to show off this darling little baby everywhere and at every chance I get. But then the mom, blogger and public defender in me gets very nervous about splashing her sweet little face everywhere. I have a public blog, public Instagram and there are a lot of followers I don't know. That makes me nervous.

Maybe if I didn't have this space and it was private to only people I know, I'd feel different.

Another thing I've thought about, we've yet to experience an adult generation who's entire life has been played out for the masses online. I didn't grow up knowing how to pose for Insta-stories or having my face on every social media platform available. Heck, if I want a baby picture, I have to call my mom, ask her to scan it or take a picture of it and then she sends me back a grainy version of six year old Kristen. How will this generation feel when they're 30 and there are naked baby pictures of them all over the web? Honestly, we don't know yet.

To be as transparent as possible, I'm not sure how I feel and since I'm not 100% either way, keeping her off social seems like the right thing for our family now. I share a lot of my life on social, the good, the bad and the ugly, but for now I'll be keeping baby girl private.

I went to college with a girlfriend who has chosen not to post her son or daughter on social and I absolutely love her stance on why. My favorite line from her thoughts are this;

All in all, one of the greatest benefits we’ve experienced from opting out of sharing photos of Jack online has been the freedom to enjoy his childhood without the pressure to curate it for public consumption.

One thing I do know, I don't want to make this decision for her. I just want her to be a kid.

Am I being overly cautious? Probably. Am I being paranoid? Maybe a little. Do you guys think I'm nuts? I'm sure you do. But if there is one thing I've learned throughout this pregnancy, it is that Adam and I have to make decisions we feel good about. And, if at the end of the day, him and I feel like we're doing the right thing for our family, then that is what we have to do.

So for all of you asking, "how will I see her?" Text me, call me, DM me, lets FaceTime! I'd love to share pictures and videos of her with you if you want to see her! Better yet, come visit :)

Now, tell me your thoughts. What do you think about kids on social media? Am I the extreme? Probably. What's the happy medium? Talk to me.

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