Parenting the second child....

chelle828

So is it totally different?  I am finding myself so much more relaxed with this one than the last.  #1 was sleeping in his crib at 4 months and never looked back.  #2 is still in our room in the PnP at 6 months.  She's waking up once or twice at night and it's just easier to pick her up and put her in the bed and nurse her back to sleep than get up, go downstairs and rock her, trying to stay awake.  I did try having her sleep in her room a few nights, and honestly I did get a little upset not having her with us - I think that's got a lot to do with the fact that she is definitely our last, so I'm trying to savor everything.  I'm afraid I'm going to be too relaxed and really screw her up, but I honestly don't even remember half the stuff I was so worried about the last time around!! 

hikerbeth

I'm still pretty "strict" about bedtime/sleeping in his room, but I feel much more relaxed about everything else.  If he has a tough night and wakes up more than usual, I just figure it's a glitch.

Helps that I have a really easy-going kid (in stark contrast to DD who was a really tough infant).

Bellisimo

It was DEFinitely different.  However, mine have always slept in their cribs since day one pretty much.   DD slept in a bassinet during naps that I wheeled around the house depending on where I was in the house with DS.  She definitely had to get in where she fit in.  And I was much more lax when it came to keeping up with milestones, documenting her every move in the form of photos, keeping up with her baby book, etc.  Poor girl.  But, she's loved and well cared for and that's all that matters.

AnnapolisLari

I don't know if it's because she's just an easier kid or what, but it is better. DS didn't STTN until 13 months, and after that I just caved and coslept until 18 months.

AndiG

I was/am much more relaxed with #2 - however, now that she is 16mos and still nursing back to sleep and in our bed most of the night I am wishing I had been more "strict" about sleep habits.  It would have been a lot easier to avoid this situation when she was younger and now it is proving very difficult to change her routine.

Zenya

It's second pancake syndrome.  you always eff up your first pancake

 I am way more relaxed with DD.  She'll be 2 at the end of the month and is only now getting her own room, closet etc. 

adri77

I am like you.  Just way more relaxed about everything, and I know that the "bad" habits (swaddling till 8 months!  Nursing at night till 11 months!  Binky till 3!)  WON'T last forever, so with DS2, I have a much more laid back attitude about things.  And he is sooooo my baby!  And we are going to TTC #3 this spring, but he is still totally my baby, so sometimes I worry that I let him get away with more b/c he's so cute and little, compared to what I let DS1 get away with at this age.    Enjoy your time!

Temp970088312507122

Being more relaxed for me is the opposite of you. DD1 slept in our room until 6 months because I was anxious and wanted her near me. I was more relaxed with DD2 and we moved her to her own room at 4 months. Found out DD2 is a light sleeper and our movements in our room were waking her up...she started sttn when we moved her.

But in general, yes, I've been way more laid back and relaxed with DD2.

Temp970088312507122

Zenya:

It's second pancake syndrome.  you always eff up your first pancake

LOL - love this reference!