What will a 2yo be like with a newborn?

BerriGirl

Among the many concerns I'm having today (see my post on 12-24 board), a biggie is how Jack will handle a newborn in the house. Do or did any of you have a 25 month old and a newborn? What are 2yo's like? Compared to a 17 month old, are they more or less needy of attention? Will he understand this new little baby is the cause of such disruption in his life, or will he be able to make that connection? Will he love or hate the baby?

Any tips, suggestions, or book recc's are very welcome:)

brightning

I don't have a newborn, but my DD is 27 mos. She has her needy moments, and her very needy moments, but she is so much better at independent play and often she just wants me to be next to her - not even interacting. It's pretty easy to get her involved in an activity. When I'm holding a friend's baby she sometimes gets jealous, but she's also really eager to help - getting diapers, etc. I think 2.5 yrs is an easier age than 17 mos. GL and congrats!

SpartanGirl

DD was 27 months when DS was born. She was very good with him.  She like to hold him and always wanted to help feed him, change him, put his binky back in, etc.  Other times she forgot he was here I think.  She had moments of jealousy, but really, it wasn't bad.

The real test came when DS began crawling (and touching her toys).  That's when the sibling rivalry began.

wellfleet04

Kate was 23 months when Ben was born.  She was great initally--could play independently, is/was very verbal and able to express herself, helped by getting diapers, etc.  Then Ben stopped sleeping all day at around 2 months old and the jealousy, hitting, biting, etc started.  I don't know how much of that is her being 2 and how much is related to the new baby, but the older he gets the tougher it has been to pay attention to both of them well.

ETA: I can already see it improving a bit, though.  He is OBSESSED with her and laughs, looks at, smiles at her all day long.  SHe is starting to bask in the adoration and warm up to him, perform for him, etc.  I think when they can actually play together it will be awesome.  

ecoppins

that is a darn good question... dd gets jealous when I hold the dog for extended periods of time or other children. She doesn't hit or bit, but definitely makes it known that I'm her mommy. We are a little nervous for #2

Calips

When I was thinking about getting pregnant again I had lunch with my good friend -- my DD was 18 months.  I couldn't imagine another baby with my 18 month old.  I asked her if 18 months and 2.5 were very different and she assured me that they were VERY different and much less needy.  Now that I have passed that phase I TOTALLY agree.

I got pregnant when DD was 27 months (took us a bit) and I will say that by the time she turned 2 I was starting to feel like it would be really do-able.  By 2.5, the changes in DD's maturity, cooperation, independence (potty trained, out of crib, extremely vervbal) made me very confident I could handle it all.

My DD will almost be 3 when the baby will arrive so I am very happy with the age difference.  My age diff will be a bit more than yours, but, you will be heading well into the easier phase.  Of course, the 2nd year brings its own challenges -- defiance, stubborn-ness, frustrations BUT it is very different than caring for a baby.  You now have a child.  For me, the changes between 18 months and 2 and then 2 to 2.5 were HUGE. 

My daughter is excited for the baby and talks about helping all of the time.  (We will see what happend when he actually arrives.)

 

GL!