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243097 tn?1233755999

It's going to be harder that i orginally thought...

For everyone that have been following my posts, I just had my baby August 23....my 2nd. I have an 18 month too...delivery went well, a little long but worth it. We named him Joshua Drake and he weighed 8lbs 1oz.
The first few days have been great, just my toddler wants so much more attention and i'm finding it so hard to divide my time between the both of them. My husband works nights, is off for the next few days but then i'm on my own....when the baby cries he sometimes wakes up my other son and its so hard for him to go back to sleep.
now my question is, does anyone else out there have 2 kids so close in age and how the heck did you guys do it...i'm worried i won't be able too.
My 1st son is starting daycare next week but its only half days....3 days a week.
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419158 tn?1316571604
I just had baby #4 and #3 and #4 are only 11 months apart. I feel your pain. My little girl is 3 weeks old as of tomorrow and we still dont have it down yet. My 11 month old has become very needy and for some weird reason both babies start crying at the same time. I know it will take some adjusting to on everyones part but I think we are getting the hang of it. There are some days when I cant wait for the day to be over but others that go smoothly. I am a stay at home mom and my hubby is a work o holic. Even when he is home he isnt much help, so im basicly on my own. It does help to "try" and get down a routine. Althoiugh its hard when they are babies. When my 3 week old wakes up in the middle of the night I try and get her into the living room as soon as possible to avoid waking anyone eles up. So far so good.
If you ever need to talk or just vent just PM me! Just remember how fast they grow up:)
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Avatar universal
I forgot to add- if your space is limited and you cannot keep baby from waking up your firstborn then it's just an adjustment he'll have to make. Again, try a white noise machine or soft, soothing music.

I'm pregnant with my 3rd and I worry how my 2nd child will sleep during the night because she's a VERY light sleeper and their rooms are right next door. So I definitely understand your anxiety over the sleep issue.
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Avatar universal
My girls are 22 months apart. It takes time to settle into a routine. Don't be so hard on yourself. It hasn't even been a week since you've given birth.

Communicating with my firstborn was major. Even if she didn't exactly understand, I would tell her, "Right now is baby's turn to eat. When I'm done then we'll read books (or fill in the blank)." I was very open with her, explained what was going on.

When I changed one diaper, I would check the other's diaper. When I wasn't making a bottle or holding baby, I'd make sure I had stuff ready for lunch at a moment's notice.

I started getting my firstborn to help if she wasn't already helping. Like having her grab her own silverware and dishes (which I keep in a drawer that is accessible to my kids, even still).

As for waking up the other child- it really just depends on how large your place is and if the kids share a room. We keep our children separated for naps. One would sleep downstairs and the older one would sleep upstairs in her room. That way we could make noise and the oldest would sleep soundly. WHITE NOISE HELPS! If your child is soothed by soft music or white noise (like a fan) then definitely get that going.

Kids understand a lot more than we realize. And they can help in ways you might not have thought of. Give things a try. And remember, it has only been a week. Give yourselves time to settle into a routine!
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568659 tn?1256139982
One more thing-
Do you have family close by? That really helps so much, even if they dont actually help you much, just having them around will make you feel better.
I dont have car when DF is at work so I load up my double stroller and walk to my sisters house at least 3X a week. I walk every where lol
Helpful - 0
568659 tn?1256139982
I have a 2yo and a 7week old and my hubby works 12pm-11pm and we dont do daycare. One thing I have done is put a fan in my sons room so he doesnt hear the baby cry, white noise drowns out all other sounds.
It really all about getting into a good routine, you've got to find what works for you.
I have my 2yo help me a lot, he loves running to get diapers and blankies for the baby. I think your son is old enough to help with little things like that. It will make him feel like a big kid :)

It will all be fine, YOU CAN DO IT! It will really help having the older one in daycare. I would love to send Noah to daycare for a few hours a week but thats not an option for us.
Congrats!
Helpful - 0
965641 tn?1274534320
i dont have children around the same age yet
but i saw your post and just made me really think
i have a 2 year old and im due with another little boy in december
which is around the time my husband deploys for a year
my 2 year old is such a mommas boy and i wasnt worried about it at first because he loves being around babies but lately hes been wanting me to carry him constantly and dont even wanna sleep in his bed no more...
i have no idea what im gonna do
but im strong ill survive and im sure you will too
itll probaly just be hard at first but once theirs a routine it should all fall in place
i wish you the best and congrats on your new little one!
Helpful - 0
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