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she tells SELF of the experience.
Photo courtesy of Missy Franklin
Franklin retired from competitive swimming in 2018 after multiple shoulder injuries.
I mean, thats my ultimate dream job.
The Olympics were cool, but babies are way better.
Courtesy of Missy Franklin.
We had her in swim lessons starting at six months old, she says.
We take her over and get her hands on the wall, so she knows what thats like.
That being said, Caitlins not learning to backstroke any time soon.
And we always have the same answer, which is we want her to do whatever she loves.
Having the opportunity to revisit swimming through Caitlins experience has been therapeutic in more ways than one for Franklin.
The star swimmer acknowledges that her career didnt exactly end the way she wanted it to.
So to go back into a space that is just so pure, she says of Caitlins swimming lessons.
Its honestly been healing.
Thats just been the story of our lives since my daughters been born.
Theres literally some days where I feel like she does more for me than I do for her.
She gets so sweet, and snugly, and sleepy.
So I think we both just really genuinely look forward to it.
When its time to get Caitlin ready, my husband normally will do her bath.
Then Ill do her bottle before bed, so we each have those quiet moments with her.
She loves the water.
We check that we make bath time a learning experience too.
Were obsessed with Tubby Todd, their bath products are incredible.
We use theirshampoo, body wash, andlotionfor Caitlin, and I use theirbubble bath.
Theyve got great stuff.
Tubby Todd Bath Co.
Hair + Body Wash
Nordstrom
Tubby Todd Bath Co.
Everyday Lotion
Tubby Todd Bath Co.
Bubble Bath
Then we double-team getting her changed and into fresh jammies.
One of us will grab the bottle and turn the lights down and start that quiet time with her.
Shes at that age now where the second Im done feeding her, shes on the move.
We dont even have that few minutes of stillness.
As soon as shes done eating, shes like, Okay, were going, whats next?
Then I always do affirmations with her.
That moment for us just seals every day.
Then we turn the lights off and we put her in bed awake and she goes straight to sleep.
We venture to be really frugal, so for sleepers, we just loveCarters.
We also use theNested Bean sleep sack, which is just a little bit of weight on their chest.
We use theHatchsound machine, which I think just about every parent does.
We want to confirm shes got a lot of milk for bottles.
Pump-wise, I useSpectra.
Theyre a pain to carry around when I travel, so for that I useSarah Wells pumping bags.
While Im pumping upstairs, my husband pours me a bath.
I love Epsom saltsa lot of times Ill just getDr.
My whole lifewith swimminghas been waking up early.
You made it through another day.
Im very key in A to begin with, Ive struggled with anxiety in the past.
Im a very empathetic person, so every time she cried, I would cry.
I wanted everything to be perfect for her.
And I think a lot of new moms feel that way.
Its just a lot of pressure that you put on yourself.
Do I sleep or do I do laundry?
My husband and I always ask each other: How are you doing?
What are you feeling?
What do you need?
Do you feel overwhelmed?
What can I do?
What do you oughta hear?
This interview has been edited and condensed for length and clarity.
