"FTM here. I had a CS and my DS is BF my AF just started early should I be concerned? TIA."
As if being a new mom was not life changing enough, it turns out you have to change the way you speak too.
TBH, I never thought of myself as a person who would engage in online discussions when I was childless. After the birth of my son I became more interested in what other parents had to say about having a child. I joined a bunch of online mom groups, and sentences like the one above were common.
I was clueless but never asked, because I didn't want to embarrass myself.
AF: Aunt Flo -Mens-troo-ation. Speaks for itself, ladies
AP: Attachment Parenting. This is when parents stay close to their kids by wearing them (see BW below) and co-sleeping, among other things
BLW: Baby Led Weaning. Popular among parents to don't mind mess and want to encourage healthy eating habits from day one
BB: Before Baby - Just like BC stands for Before Christ. Smart!
BM: Breast Milk - all babies natural food, but surprisingly controversial nonetheless
BF: Breastfeeding - how babies are generally fed
BFN: Big Fat Negative - WRT a pregnancy test: better luck next time
BFP: Big Fat Positive - Congrats! You did it, prepare for the MS
BIL: Brother in Law - relative who will have opinions
BW: Blood Work - this you have an awful lot of when you are pregnant
BW: Baby wearing - carrying your baby and toddler in a specially designed baby carrier
BTDT: Been there done that, obviously
CIO: Cry It Out - a (somewhat unpopular) sleep training method
CD: Cloth Diaper - don't worry they usually tell you before you ask
CS: C-Section - a surgical alternative to a natural birth
DD: Due Date - this is more like an eviction notice handed over by your OBGYN
DC: Daycare - one way of staying sane, or being able to continue your career
DD/DS/DH/DE: Dear Daughter/Son/Husband/Ex
DFTN: Down for the Night - they're asleep, yay!
DWT: Day Wake Time - usually obnoxiously early in the morning
EDD: Usually not accurate, but it means Expected Due Date
ERF: Extended Rear Facing (referring to a car seat)
EBF: Exclusive Breast Feeding - no formula for this babe
EBM: Expressed Breast Milk - one way to ensure EBF
EP: Exclusive Pumping - when direct breastfeeding didn't work out but baby still needs BM
Also read: Say what? Emojis and text talk decoded for parents
EFF: Exclusive Formula Feeding - like above but with formula
FF: Formula Feeding - bottles all the way for this baby
FFO: Front Facing Out - Baby on your front facing the world
FTM: First Time Mom - aka hot mess
FTD: First Time Dad - aka still in shock
FIL: Father in Law - the man who helped your MIL to have your SO
GD: Gestational Diabetes - nasty business, be sure to ask your OBGYN to test for it
HPT: Home Pregnancy Test - that little stick we pee on and then stare at for several minutes
LC: Lactation Consultant - a lifesaver if you are planning to breastfeed
LO: Little One - this is your baby
L&D: If you are pregnant you are probably dreading this one: it's Labor & Delivery
MIL: Mother In Law - this is the woman who gave birth to your SO
MC: Miscarriage - not fun, so be sure to get support
MS: Morning Sickness - also horrible
MoM: Mom of Multiples - brave mama right here
MOTN: Middle of the Night - we all know what this means
NAK: Nursing At Keyboard - this person is nursing while they type. Multitasking pro!
NB: A tiny squished up little human that doesn't come with an instruction manual, aka a newborn.
NIP: Nursing in Public - a movement we should all get behind
OPK: Ovulation Predictor Kit - when you're TTC this is so handy
PPD: Post-partum Depression - a lonely sad place to be, don't be ashamed to ask for support
Pead: Peaditrician - the person you'll pay a lot of money to, to tell you if your kid is normal or not
PUPD: Pick Up Put Down - like exercise, but even less fun
PP: Postpartum - the few months after the baby is born
PT: Potty Trained/Training - a time of poop and pee for everyone
SAHM: Stay At Home Mom - when mom gives up a career to raise the kids
SAHD: Stay At Home Dad - when dad gives up a career to raise the kids
SIL: Sister in Law - another relative with an opinion
STTN: Sleep Through The Night - the ultimate goal
SO: Significant Other - your partner in baby-raising crime
TTC: Trying To Conceive - this could be fun, but for some it's a longer journey. Be kind
TW: Traditional Weaning - offering the LO mashed foods on a spoon
US: No, it's not the United States. It's the Ultrasound
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