Im Pregnant And Have A Little Boy Already, Any Tips On Getting Prepared For Dealing With Two Babies?
My baby is due end of August and I want to be very prepared as I have a little boy already and they will be 12 months apart. Has anyone got tips on making things easier, such as feed times, naps, weaning off the bottle etc, anything that will help…and yes my second one was planned as we didnt want a big age gap between the 2 kids we were having.
on June 30th, 2009 at 5:49 am
I have 3 kids and all I can say is good luck and it’s not that bad. You learn that gap with the ages does more better than harm because they become great helpers
on June 30th, 2009 at 5:49 am
Don’t stress, and it’ll be fine. My kids are 17mo apart, and my sister’s 2 just 54 weeks.
I managed to get my eldest off his bottle before the younger one was born (he was only having one at bedtime before 15 mo anyway). Have the elder one having mealtimes the same as you; there’s nothing you can do about the baby, it’ll eat when it chooses for a while. My sister weaned my niece off the breast and straight onto a mug at around 6mo, and made sure she was totally competent (if messy) at self-feeding well before my nephew was due.
you’ll find everything falls into a pattern, but it’ll probably be one that confuses your inlaws and people for a while. Take advantage of people offering to take one or other child (or both!) for the odd hour.
Enjoy! It’s fun, even when you’re knackered, and you get all the broken nights over with before you’re used to sleeping again LOL
on June 30th, 2009 at 5:49 am
We have 3 kids, twelve months and two weeks between the first two and twelve months and twenty three days between the second two. All planned.
It’s hard to plan as they are so different. If you want to start weaning on the bottle, I’d just give it a go, see if he takes it. I personally would do both though if he took to the bottle.
Naps and things we found one would nap but the other didn’t want to so you’ll probably have to wait and see how it goes.
It’s flipping hard work but you’ll manage. Good luck and congratulations♥
on June 30th, 2009 at 5:49 am
congratulations,the only tip i think i can give you is too remember not to leave the older child out. i am sure you would not do this on purpose but it can happen without you realising it. if the older child start behaving badly dont retort to punishment just re-assure the child of how much you love him. also get him to help with simple things like fetching a clean nappy or vest.it will make him feel so important.
on June 30th, 2009 at 5:49 am
Sorry have no tips but Thanks for asking this Question am in the same boat as well. Mine will be 20mo apart.
on June 30th, 2009 at 5:49 am
Let me know cause we are in the same boat…
on June 30th, 2009 at 5:49 am
my 2 babies r 11 months apart and its no harder with 2 then with one im sure you will be fine
on June 30th, 2009 at 5:49 am
My boys are 18 mos. apart and I’m not going to sugarcoat it ~ It’s lot of work!
If you have someone that can help you (family, friends, etc.) during the day take full advantage. My sister came for two weeks and I don’t know how I would have survived without her! It’s tough to take care of a newborn and an infant all day long on no sleep! Don’t feel badly about friends/family helping out ~ if they want to do dishes and vacuum let them!
Between now and your due date focus on making sure your oldest is on a good schedule (getting up, meals, naps, etc.). Things will go smoother if you both know what to expect.
We broke our oldest of the paci, and started training him to eat with a spoon/fork before the baby was born. We had a tough time transitioning to a sippy cup but got it shortly after the baby came. Your son is at a good age to give it a go. Try a sippy cup, he just might go for it. We had him on a sippy cup all day and he still got a bottle at night for a while. That was his special “mommy” time. Your son is still just a baby himself but you want to try to teach him things that will allow you a little free time tend to the newborn (like feeding himself, etc.). Once the baby arrives you’ll have to take changes a bit slower since the new baby will be an adjustment. As you know a newborns schedule is so unpredictable so you definately learn to multi-task with two. One of my favorite tools was “My Brest Friend” it’s a nursing pillow that straps around your waist. Even if you’re not nursing you can use when you bottle feed. I would use it when I was giving my new guy a bottle while sitting in front of the high chair feeding the big guy; it offers just the right support. I know first hand how difficult it is sometimes but try to get the baby on a good schedule as soon as possible.
Make sure you don’t alienate your 1 year old when the baby comes. Like one of the other moms said before me, it’s easy to do without even realizing it. Try to include him as much as possible.
It’s just like the first one ~ really hard for the 1st month or so but gets easier and easier as you all ease into a routine!
Good luck!