Mommy Refuel
Articles from the Mommy Refuel team: practical, honest reading on maternal wellbeing and family life. General information, never a substitute for professional care.
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Baby blues vs postpartum depression: how to tell
Tearful and overwhelmed after birth? Here is how baby blues and postpartum depression differ, what helps, and when it is time to talk to a professional.
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Baby milestones, first year: CDC checklist by month
What CDC's Learn the Signs. Act Early. checklists actually say your baby may be doing at 2, 4, 6, 9 and 12 months, and why these are a range to watch, not a test to pass.
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Baby monitors: types, privacy, and what to look for
This is an overview, not a hands-on test. Here are the main types of baby monitors, what official guidance says about SIDS and monitors, and the privacy questions worth asking before you buy.
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First trimester fatigue and nausea: what helps, week by week
Bone-deep tiredness and queasiness at any hour are two of the most common early pregnancy symptoms. Here is what's typical, what tends to help, and when to get checked.
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Gadgets that make new parent life easier: an overview
This is an overview, not a hands-on test or a sponsored list. Here's what each popular category of new-parent gadget actually does, plus the safety guidance worth knowing before you buy.
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Maternal burnout: signs, causes and small steps back
Running on empty for weeks is not a personal failing. Here is how to recognise maternal burnout, why it happens, and the small, realistic steps that help you refuel.
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Mental load of motherhood: see it, name it, share it
The remembering, planning and noticing that keeps a family running is real work, even when nobody sees it. Here is how to make it visible and share it fairly.
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Newborn first 6 weeks: feeding, sleep, crying and recovery
The first six weeks with a newborn are a blur of feeds, naps and worry. Here is a calm, practical guide to what is normal, how to keep baby safe asleep, and when to call a doctor.
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Daily mood check-in: a 1-minute habit for moms
A one-minute note about your sleep, energy and mood each day can show patterns that are hard to see from inside a busy week. Here is how to start, with or without an app.
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Postpartum checkup questions: what to ask your doctor
Postpartum appointments go by fast. Here is a practical list of questions to ask, what to note down beforehand, and how to make sure nothing gets forgotten.
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Postpartum depression treatment: what's new since 2023
In 2023 the FDA approved the first pill specifically for postpartum depression. Here's what zuranolone is, how it works, its real limits, and the other treatments that still matter.
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New study: how your sleep changes after birth, and why it matters
A large 2025 review followed sleep from pregnancy into the first postpartum year. Here's what it found about who struggles most, and why sleep patterns are worth tracking, not just enduring.
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Preparing for pregnancy: a preconception checklist
Thinking about trying for a baby? Here is a realistic preconception checklist covering folic acid, a pre-pregnancy checkup, vaccinations, lifestyle, your partner and the emotional side of it all.
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RSV prevention for babies: what's new in 2025-2026
There are now three ways to protect a baby from severe RSV, and most families only need one. Here's what maternal vaccination, nirsevimab, and the newer clesrovimab actually do.
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School-age sleep: how much kids need and how to get there
School-age kids need more sleep than most families manage to give them. Here are the real numbers, a realistic bedtime routine, and what to do when sleep keeps slipping.
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Screen time by age: what AAP and WHO actually recommend
Screen time advice can feel like a moving target. Here is what AAP and WHO guidance says by age, and small, practical steps for building a family media plan that fits real life.
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Sleep deprivation as a new mom: how to cope
Newborn nights are hard, and more willpower is not the answer. Here are realistic ways to protect some sleep, stay safe, and know when tiredness needs a doctor.
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Talking with teens about mental health: a parent's guide
The teen years bring real changes in the brain and in daily life. Here is how to notice when something is off, start a real conversation, and know when to get help fast.
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Toddler tantrums: why they happen and how to respond calmly
Tantrums are big feelings meeting a small toolkit, not a discipline failure. Here is why they happen between ages 1 and 4, what helps in the moment, and when to check in with a pediatrician.
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