Q&A || New Parents!

[@TTNBear]

Baby Gates is the perfect mix of Adam and Raven! 😍

[@ravennicolegates]

aw thank you!!!

[@militarybase1563]

Hello..how are you

[@emilymarie291]

It’s amazing how labor and delivery nurses and doctors do everything so fluently or as you described as a “dance”, it totally is. You hit on a lot of really raw and real situations people experience every day and your point of views were super helpful.

[@vipayulert8434]

Breastfeeding IS the hardest thing, even 2nd time around. Both my babies had lip/tongue ties that got corrected which helped my BF journey!

[@sabrinas8995]

So glad you’re doing well! We had our first baby in September and the transition to being new parents is no joke! Hard to believe so many people have done it 😂

[@priscillaibarra68]

You guys are doing amazing!! And it’ll get easier! Enjoy every moment!

[@ravennicolegates]

Thank you for your encouragement!! So appreciate you

[@shuraethomas2619]

Single mom & only parent to an “almost” 10 year old. It gets easier everyday. Babies are not a one size fits all. I really had to take the time to understand what type of routine/schedule best jived with him. He ended up being a 10hr a night sleeper 🙌🏼✨lavender bath soap, sleepy lotion and massages before his bedtime feeding were key. Soak up every cry and hard moment. Trust me as years go on, you wish so badly for those moments back 🤎 Gates is so precious. You guys are doing great.

[@ravennicolegates]

Kudos to you momma!!! 👏👏👏 I have so so much respect for you tackling motherhood as a single mom! ❣️ thank you for your encouragement

[@militarybase1563]

Hello ..how are you

[@noelytavera9778]

My baby boy was born 01/17! Watching your videos and your insta has made me feel like we are learning and on this journey together through all the ups and down of a first time mom. My husband has also been super supportive and has just been a super hands on and an amazing dad. 🤍 Sending lots of love and prayers to your family!

[@ravennicolegates]

Aww, Congrats!! I really thought I was going to have him on the 17th but we went into the morning hours of the 18th! I hope you & your family are happy & healthy! We're very blessed to have hands on dads! It makes it a bit easier sometimes, right? Congrats again!!

[@donnellewolfe7431]

Awwww love how Boaz is with baby Gates!!

[@ravennicolegates]

He is the BEST big brother!

[@militarybase1563]

Hello how are you

[@kaitlynelliott4502]

First off, congratulations! Gates is so adorable. Second, I am a new mama too & I am breastfeeding. I completely agree that it is one of THE HARDEST things I think I’ve ever done! But I just recently ordered the emergency brownies and lady leche from milky mama. One of my good friends said it helped her supply so much! I’m waiting for it to come in, so I haven’t tried it! But I just wanted to share with you! 😊

[@Ana77770]

You spoke about single moms. I am not just a single mom but a widowed mom. My husband of 14yrs died of cancer March 2021. He left behind 4 young kids, 12, 10, 5 and 3months . The ride been tough. It is 1 year and I am doing fine. I've done it without family support. Motherhood isn't as easy as we may think.

[@jennifermassie7227]

Thank you for acknowledging us single moms!! It's hard as hell but the most rewarding experience of my life!! My son is now 24 so it's been a while. Lol

[@naomifrances7420]

Blessings to U both on being new parents Gates es adorable ♥️♥️🌹🌹🍼👶🏻

[@ravennicolegates]

Aw thank you so much, Naomi!!

[@gailwinner311]

You are doing amazing Raven! You have to remember, you aren’t just postpartum with a newborn, you are only 1 month post-op!! I’m a Labor & Delivery nurse. I’m sure you have gotten professional advice, but you very often can’t produce anywhere near as much milk from pumping as you can from just letting baby nurse. Keep up the great work- in a couple weeks you will have such a different outlook, I promise you!

[@kalidevi26]

Adam is a real catch!

[@abbyjeffers4884]

So happy for you both!! Baby Gates is adorable 💙

[@lumierebantange8132]

THIS IS WHAT I HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR!!!

[@iyali10]

Omg omg me too!! I was so drugged, I remember hearing him cry and my hubby walking over to the baby and then I was out!! I had an emergency as well!!

[@Sariah]

Teamwork!!! You guys make a great team!

[@melissagreen1117]

This was so sweet guys❤️

[@ravennicolegates]

Thank you for watching, Melissa!

[@melissagreen1117]

@@ravennicolegates I enjoyed it❤️

[@katelyn51289]

So happy for you two :) you both look so happy :)!! 💖💖

[@brittnienlund3386]

Congratulations! I just wanted to say you’re not alone in the struggle with breastfeeding. I am 5mpp and am still breastfeeding and supplementing 1-2 bottles a day. I think before I had thought it had to be one or the other. It was so hard at first but finally realized you can do both. You both are doing great and so cute boaz has taken to him! 💜

[@lesliehamm6554]

What memory foam topper did he bring to put on the pull out couch? I think my husband would love to have this! Would you mind sharing the link please!:)

[@jordandempsey2544]

“It quickly all changed” 😅😂

[@amandaburns6294]

Hi congratulations loved this video! I’m a first time mama too. Had my baby on Dec 1st. Just wanted to say I struggled with breastfeeding too and was pretty much doing what you are currently doing too. I waited till my baby girl was almost two months to get her to latch again and visited a lactation consultant. Well at almost two months she was able to latch on a lot easier and thing just grew smoother from there. She now gets on the boob no prob and she empties me better than my pump so she is also helping me produce more supply. Took some time and a lot of patience. And some good cries inbetween. And then boom time for me to go back to work. So I’m a pumping mama again. Anyways thanks for sharing your journey. It’s always nice to hear I’m not alone in how I feel and the experience of motherhood. Baby G is so handsome

[@jamiedorado3406]

How was the delivery at Baylor Scott & white? I’m currently 35 weeks and I will be having my baby boy at Baylor Scott & white here in Texas 💙 I have had nothing but problems with them so I’m actually nervous for my delivery there

[@Bcdf-ei9el]

Baby looks like Adam's clone!

[@emilysolomon5977]

Do you use a bottle warmer?

[@marmartube]

Sorry to hear that companies dont support parental leave.

[@jessicaa.m.harper1727]

Can you talk more on why breastfeeding is so difficult? Is it painful? Is it largely emotional? I'm just curious because I want to prepare myself!

[@ravennicolegates]

My biggest struggle is having inverted nipples & not producing enough. Everyone is so different, so please don't let me experience hinder you!

[@michelleholland1500]

I’m still breastfeeding my 9 month old and for me it was difficult in the beginning because my LO wasn’t latching properly. Feeds took a long time and while I wouldn’t say it hurt, it was uncomfortable. Things got a lot better around the 6-8 week range when my supply regulated and my LO got better at breastfeeding. We had another tough go of it about a month after I went back to work (~4 months PP). I was sick a lot from LO bringing home various viruses from daycare and it severely impacted my supply (not sure if that is common). I was able to get it back and we’re back to smooth sailing, but it’s definitely been a rollercoaster!

[@hg.13.]

Are you exclusively pumping now? How is latching going?

[@ravennicolegates]

He’s still latching great!

[@annmoran2627]

Lovely baby

[@robinmcewen1382]

Your adorable y

[@ravennicolegates]

Thank you Robin, love you! Thank you for watching

[@robinmcewen1382]

@@ravennicolegates I love watching and following your beautiful family God love you all Love you 😍