When Alessia arrived, I was much more prepared.

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At home, everything was set: formula, water, and sterilized bottles.

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She was a bigger "eater" than Federico, but breastfeeding was still tiring at first.

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She’d latch onto my breast, fall asleep almost immediately, then wake up soon after, ready to feed again.

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Federico ate less but slept longer, making him less demanding in that sense.

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Alessia had a rebellious streak.

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She wanted to stay latched on constantly, which was exhausting.

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Still, the experience was easier with her; I didn’t face the same challenges I had with Federico. I was more confident this time—I knew what to do and didn’t feel as scared.

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For example, I learned how to ensure a proper latch by rotating between breasts.

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Sleep was another story. Alessia refused to sleep in her crib and kept waking up until we gave in and let her sleep in our bed.

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With Federico, there was no problem—he stayed in his crib without fuss.

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Alessia, though, was determined.

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Remember when she fell out of the crib twice, standing on tiptoe to reach us?

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It scared us, but in the end, we let her sleep with us.

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While Alessia's temperament made things more exhausting, my experience helped me handle it more calmly, and the bond we formed during those moments was just as special as with Federico.

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