Glossary for Understanding Mommy Forum Lingo

Mommy forums can offer the perfect reassurance and guidance for a new (or seasoned) mom looking for answers to any parenting question. From getting tips on how to get your baby to stay awake during nursing to advice on how to get rid of diaper rash, fellow moms are some of the best people to turn to for help.

The first time that you go on a mommy message board, you will notice a new variety of acronyms and abbreviations that you’ve never seen before. Read through this glossary in order to be able to discern what the lingo means, and you will be posting on the forums like a seasoned pro in no time!

Mommy Forum Glossary

AC: assisted conception
AF: Aunt Flo; nickname for menstrual period
AI: artificial insemination
AIH: artificial insemination using husband’s sperm
AIO: all-in-one; referring to a diaper that doesn’t need a separate cover, such as a disposable diaper
AP: attachment parenting; a type of parenting philosophy
ART: assisted artificial technology
BB (BBS): bulletin board
BBT: basal body temperature
BC: because, birth control or before children
BCPS: birth control pills
BD: baby dancing; referring to trying to conceive a baby (sex)
BF: breastfeeding
BFN: big fat negative; referring to a negative pregnancy test
BFP: big fat positive; referring to a positive pregnancy test
BLW: baby-led weaning
BM: breast milk or bowel movement
BTDT: been there done that
BW: blood week; referring to menstrual period
CC: controlled crying; a method of sleep training an infant
CD: cloth diaper or cycle day
CF: cervical fluid
CIO: cry it out; a method of sleep training an infant
Circ.: circumcision
CS or C/S: cesarean section
CVSs: chorionic villus sampling; a type of prenatal testing to determine if any genetic or chromosomal disorders are present
CM: cervical mucus
CWIM: see what I mean
DA: dairy allergy
DC: dear child or daycare
DD: dear daughter
DF: dear fiance
DH: dear husband
DI: donor insemination
DP: dear partner
DPO: days past ovulation
DS: dear son
DSD: dear stepdaughter
DSS: dear stepson
DTD: do the deed (sex)
DuH: dumb husband
DuW: dumb wife
DW: dear wife
DXP: dear ex-partner; referring to those who are still friends with an ex
EBF: expressed breastfeeding
EBM: expressed breast milk
EDD: expected date of delivery or estimated due date
EN: extended nursing
EP: ectopic pregnancy
ER: egg retrieval
ET: embryo transfer
EWCM: egg white cervical mucus
FF: formula feeding
FIL: father-in-law
FT: full time
FTM: first-time mom
FWIW: for what it’s worth
GD: gestational diabetes
GF: gluten-free
GOAT: used to indicate that a forum member has read all of the previous comments before commenting
HIPPO: used to indicate that a forum member is commenting without having read all of the previous comments
HPT: home pregnancy test
HTH: hope this helps
IC: incompetent cervix
ITA: I totally agree
IUI: intrauterine insemination
IVF: in vitro fertilization
JMO: just my opinion
LAM: lactational amenorrhea period; referring not getting a menstrual period while breastfeeding
LO: little one
LP: luteal phase
MC: miscarriage
MIL: mother-in-law
ML: maternity leave
MM: mother’s milk
MS: morning sickness
NAK: nursing at keyboard
NFP: natural family planning; referring to using the rhythm method
NIP: nursing in public
NMS: not my style
NTNP: not trying not preventing
O: ovulation
O’d: ovulated
OH: other half
OPK: ovulation prediction test kit
OT: off topic
OWT: old wives tale
PG: pregnant
POAS: pee on a stick; referring to taking a pregnancy test
POF: premature ovarian failure
PP: previous poster
PPD: postpartum depression
RE: reproductive endocrinologist
SAHD: stay-at-home dad
SAHM: stay-at-home mom
SAHP: stay-at-home parent
SB: stillbirth
SD: sperm donor
SO: significant other
SW: starting weight
TIA: thanks in advance
TTC: trying to conceive
US or U/S: ultrasound
VBAC: vaginal birth after cesarean
WAH: work at home
WAHM: work at home mom
WM: working mom

Basic Forum Etiquette

Now that you know the mommy forum lingo, brush up on some basic forum etiquette (or “netiquette”) before writing your first post:

• Try to stay on-topic for the particular thread; if you have a separate comment or question, write a separate post
• Don’t type in ALL CAPS; this indicates that you are yelling
• Try to avoid sarcasm as it can be hard to discern in a forum without hearing the tone of your voice
• If the forum has an initial post with rules, it’s always a good idea to quickly scan it to ensure you aren’t posting anything that you shouldn’t be
• Avoid double posting (posting the same message twice in one post)
• Never post any private, personal information

At some point, you are going to have an urgent question or concern about your new baby. Connecting with fellow moms in online forums who are also in the trenches of motherhood can help reassure you and help you get the answers you need. Always remember, however, that a forum shouldn’t take the place of asking your doctor about a medical concern.