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Crayons & Coffee

a blog by mindfulnest

Find your village

While being a parent is one of the most rewarding jobs in the world, it can also be incredibly isolating. Feeling overwhelmed and stretched thin is a common experience, and connecting with a community can help lighten the load.

Get new ideas and perspectives from others

Find the motivation to get through tough days

Connect with a community and feel less alone

Learn from the wins and losses of other parents

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New posts!

a baby laying on a blanket happily reaching out to touch the nose on his mother's face as the mother smiles back at the baby

5 Simple Hacks to Bond With Your Baby

a baby with a white diaper laying on a white mat with the bottoms of their little bare feet facing the viewer

Baby Gas 101: 6 Signs + 6 Ways to Soothe It

a woman in a floral dress standing in front of a well lit window while holding her pregnant baby bump

15 Things to Do When You Find Out You’re Pregnant

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5 Simple Hacks to Bond With Your Baby

You’ve waited months to meet your baby, but now that they’re finally here, bonding might not feel as instant or as magical as you imagined. In movies, we often see that picture-perfect moment: a mother holds her newborn, they lock eyes, and everything just clicks . But in real life? It doesn’t always happen that way, and that’s completely okay. Many moms are surprised when the connection doesn’t come immediately. There are so many factors that can make bonding take longer, w

Juliana Vazquez

6 days ago

Baby Gas 101: 6 Signs + 6 Ways to Soothe It

If you’ve ever spent hours bouncing , rocking , or shushing a fussy baby who just won’t settle, you’ve probably whispered to yourself, “Is it gas?” You’re not alone. Gas is one of the most common reasons for newborn fussiness and one of the most confusing. After all, your baby can’t exactly tell you what’s wrong, and every cry can start to sound the same when you’re running on little sleep. The good news? Gassiness is completely normal and usually just means your baby’s dig

Juliana Vazquez

Dec 23, 2025

15 Things to Do When You Find Out You’re Pregnant

You just saw those two little lines and now your mind is racing. What do I actually do next? Getting a positive pregnancy test can bring up a mix of emotions: joy , disbelief , nervousness , excitement , sometimes everything all at once. You’ve probably been waiting in nervous anticipation for this day, and now that it’s here, you might not know what to prioritize or where to start. This post is your practical, realistic first-trimester checklist : 15 essential things to do o

Juliana Vazquez

Dec 16, 2025

a women with her hand resting on her chin looking out the window with a pensive facial expression

12 Ways to Feel Like Yourself Again After Baby (and Avoid Getting Lost)

Somewhere between feedings, diaper changes, and sleepless nights, you might catch your reflection and think, Where did I go? It’s easy to feel, as a new mom, like you’ve lost yourself or you don’t quite recognize who you are anymore, and it’s completely normal to feel this way. When you become a mother, your world shifts toward your baby ; and their needs become the center of your focus. That shift can bring on a mix of different feelings all at once. Having a baby doesn’

Juliana Vazquez

Dec 9, 2025

a father holding a baby who is looking at an ornament on a Christmas tree with wonder

Baby’s First Christmas: How to Survive It & Make It Special

Your baby’s first Christmas is magical, messy, and maybe a little overwhelming. Between sleepless nights, endless family plans, and holiday chaos, it’s easy to forget what really matters. Like most parents, you probably want that “perfect” first Christmas for your baby; the one you’ve dreamed about since you saw that first positive test. But here’s the truth: you don’t need social media-perfect. You need meaningful. In this post, you’ll find 5 survival tips for navigating the

Juliana Vazquez

Dec 2, 2025

a man and woman sitting on the couch together and the mother is holding a newborn baby in her arms

6 Conversations to Have Before Your Baby Arrives

You might be planning the nursery, picking out baby names, and reading all the books, but have you talked about how your relationship, routines, and responsibilities will change once your baby arrives? It’s definitely not as fun as choosing baby clothes or paint colors, but these conversations matter more than you might think. Talking about them before your baby comes can help you: Avoid misunderstandings Strengthen your partnership Make sure you enter the newborn stage as a

Juliana Vazquez

Nov 25, 2025

a woman with a hospital bracelet and blanket on her holding a newborn baby with it's head in her two hands

14 Sanity-Saving Tips for your First 14 Days with Baby

You’ve waited months to finally meet your baby, and now that they’re here, you might be wondering how anyone survives parenthood , especially those first two weeks. The truth is, those first 14 days are a lot. You’re exhausted from labor and delivery and barely able to sleep two hours in a row without being woken up. On top of that, you might feel anxious or unsure about how to care for your newborn . You’re thrilled to finally hold your baby, yet overwhelmed by the constant

Juliana Vazquez

Nov 18, 2025

a woman laying on her back gently cradling her pregnant belly

Surviving Pregnancy: 10 Real Tips from a Mom of 4

It’s easy to picture pregnancy as this beautiful, glowing season full of radiant skin , guilt-free eating , and adorable bump-friendly outfits . But in reality, it’s often much more than that. It’s... Morning sickness Emotions all over the place Swollen feet Trying to tie your shoes without getting out of breath I’ve been there before (four times, actually) and I’ve had those moments where I truly didn’t know how I was going to make it to the end. Over the years, I’ve learn

Juliana Vazquez

Nov 11, 2025

Mindfulnest

Crayons & Coffee

a blog by mindfulnest

Find your village

New posts!

5 Simple Hacks to Bond With Your Baby

Baby Gas 101: 6 Signs + 6 Ways to Soothe It

15 Things to Do When You Find Out You’re Pregnant

Ready for the real scoop?

All Posts

5 Simple Hacks to Bond With Your Baby

Baby Gas 101: 6 Signs + 6 Ways to Soothe It

15 Things to Do When You Find Out You’re Pregnant

12 Ways to Feel Like Yourself Again After Baby (and Avoid Getting Lost)

Baby’s First Christmas: How to Survive It & Make It Special

6 Conversations to Have Before Your Baby Arrives

14 Sanity-Saving Tips for your First 14 Days with Baby

Surviving Pregnancy: 10 Real Tips from a Mom of 4

Mindfulnest

Want our FREE toolkit on coping with crying?

​Mindfulnest

Crayons & Coffee

a blog by mindfulnest

Find your village

New posts!

5 Simple Hacks to Bond With Your Baby

Baby Gas 101: 6 Signs + 6 Ways to Soothe It

15 Things to Do When You Find Out You’re Pregnant

Ready for the real scoop?

All Posts

5 Simple Hacks to Bond With Your Baby

Baby Gas 101: 6 Signs + 6 Ways to Soothe It

15 Things to Do When You Find Out You’re Pregnant

12 Ways to Feel Like Yourself Again After Baby (and Avoid Getting Lost)

Baby’s First Christmas: How to Survive It & Make It Special

6 Conversations to Have Before Your Baby Arrives

14 Sanity-Saving Tips for your First 14 Days with Baby

Surviving Pregnancy: 10 Real Tips from a Mom of 4

​Mindfulnest

Want our FREE toolkit on coping with crying?

Mindfulnest

Mindfulnest