Before Sasha came along, I wasn’t sure if we’d ever take the leap into life with two kids. Whenever someone would ask, “Are you going to have another?” my answer was always hesitant, usually accompanied by a nervous laugh. The truth was, I was scared—scared of the unknown, of the challenges, of whether I could handle it all again. Even after we decided to go for baby number two and I found out I was pregnant, the fear didn’t vanish. I was still terrified.
Fast forward eight months, and I can’t imagine life without her. It’s wild how your heart just seems to stretch, creating space you didn’t know existed. With everything happening in the world right now, these months have been intense, but Sasha has been our daily dose of joy. And perhaps just as important, I’ve felt more confident this time around as a parent. That ease has made the experience even sweeter.
Here’s where we are at eight months—feeding, sleeping, and everything in between.
Feeding: From Breastmilk to Formula to First Foods
This time, I officially wrapped up breastfeeding a little while ago. With my first, Nate, the transition away from nursing was hard. Abruptly weaning left me spiraling into postpartum depression, burdened by guilt and regret. I remember staying up until 2 a.m. googling, “Can you start breastfeeding again after stopping?”—clinging to the hope that I hadn’t closed the door.
But here’s the beauty of a second child: you bring the wisdom of experience with you. With Sasha, I felt none of that guilt. I did my best, gave her what I could, and when our time was up, I let go without shame. I knew she would be okay. I was proud of myself for honoring both her needs and mine.
We transitioned to HiPP HA formula, which has been wonderful for her. With Nate, I used Holle, another European formula, but it caused constipation for Sasha. Switching to HiPP HA was a game changer.
Why European formula? Back when I was pregnant with Nate, I did an overwhelming amount of research. Ultimately, I felt more comfortable with the ingredients in certain European brands than with American options. That said, this isn’t about judgment—every family should choose what feels right for them. For us, HiPP worked, and I order from a shop in Brooklyn that ships incredibly fast.
Around five months, we started introducing solids. So far, Sasha’s enjoyed avocado, banana, peaches, baby oatmeal mixed with fruit, and a handful of other purees. I’ll admit: Baby Led Weaning makes me nervous, so I’ve leaned into spoon-fed solids. For busy days when I can’t whip up something fresh, pouches have been a lifesaver. We’ve also started using Yumi meals, which I love for their fresh ingredients (though, yes, they’re on the pricier side). Right now, she eats real food twice a day and sits happily in Nate’s old OXO high chair, which has held up beautifully.
Sleep: A Work in Progress, but Getting There
Ah, sleep—the one topic parents can talk about endlessly. Sasha is still in our room, sleeping in the BabyBjörn Travel Crib. At this point, she could absolutely move to her crib, but I’ve been hesitant. Because she and Nate will eventually share a room, I didn’t want to transition her until her nights were fully consistent.
For a long time, she would either wake once in the middle of the night or rise at 5 a.m. Recently, though, we’ve hit a miracle stretch: bedtime at 6:30 p.m. and sleeping straight through until 6 a.m. I hesitate to even type that for fear of jinxing it, but so far, so good!
Interestingly, shifting her bedtime earlier was what made the difference. I was originally putting her down around 7 p.m., but Jess from Sleep Shop suggested trying 6:30. While it sounds counterintuitive, the idea is that babies fall asleep more easily (and stay asleep longer) when they aren’t overtired. The phrase “sleep begets sleep” could not be more true.
During the day, Sasha usually naps twice. If she wakes around 6 a.m., her first nap comes at 9 a.m. and lasts until about 10:30. Her second nap starts around 1:30 and goes until 3. Of course, it’s not always that perfect, but that’s our loose rhythm.
With Nate, I loosely followed the E.A.S.Y. schedule (Eat, Activity, Sleep, You time), combined with some principles from Babywise. With Sasha, I wanted more guidance, so I leaned on Jess, whose advice has been invaluable. Her Instagram is packed with tips, and if you ever need one-on-one support, she’s amazing to work with.
The biggest takeaway? Get your baby on a schedule. Truly, it changes everything—for them and for you.
Eight Months In
Looking back, I can’t believe how nervous I was before we had Sasha. The questions, the fears, the doubts—they all feel so distant now. Of course, life with two kids is busy and messy and sometimes overwhelming, but it’s also full of moments that make your heart feel like it might burst.
Eight months with Sasha has taught me that confidence grows with time, that letting go of guilt is powerful, and that joy often shows up in the smallest daily routines. She’s added more love to our lives than I ever thought possible, and I can’t wait to see what the next eight months bring.
