those with 2 babies

trombagn

so it seems like i will be caring for my brothers baby as well as mine from now on, his baby boy is 2 months older then my DD and im having a little anxiety about this. im now an expert at everyday activities with LO but now im not so sure. for instance:

at the store (unless they have a double kid cart)/bedtime(if one cries it will wake up the other)/feeding time(do i need to purchase another highchair or can i feed them one at a time)

any insight or comforting words

violaplayer

Hmm...let's see..

 

Double strollers are the win! So are single strollers clamped together. https://www.amazon.com/Prince-Lionheart-Inc-6550-Connectors/dp/B000056J23

Double carts are great if both are accomplished sitters. If not, push the stroller(s) and pull the cart behind you. 

Bedtime. That's a harder one to answer. It depends on how much noise they are each accustomed to and if they sleep heavily. Generally, my guys don't wake each other up, unless one is really loud or the other isn't deeply asleep.

Feeding. Sometimes I feed them one at a time, sometimes at the same time. This depends on your routine and how patient the babies are. I highly recommend getting a second seat. https://www.amazon.com/Fisher-Price-Rainforest-Healthy-Care-Booster/dp/B000WUF4LS/ref=sr_1_5?s=baby-products&ie=UTF8&qid=1316745296&sr=1-5 is a good, inexpensive one.

Naps are a challenge. I would try to sync them as much as possible. Generally, on waking for the day, if one is up, they both need to get up. Same at the beginning/end of naps. IMO, this will probably be your biggest challenge since they aren't the same age.

Feel free to check into the multiples board and the 2u2 board for help. 

GreenFlamingo7

I don't have anything constructive to add about caring for two babies, but I wanted to say kudos to you for taking on the challenging task. You're a great sister.

Natalie_may

Violaplayer gave some excellent advice! It will be a transition and there will be a learning curve but you can do this! I still push the stroller and pull the cart to shop, I find that weekday mornings are the easiest to get things done, stores are less crowded and people aren't in a huge hurry. The boys don't wake each other up at naps or at night but they are already used to a noisy environment. I would get a second highchair as well, I know for us they get jealous. Sorry for the total lack of formatting, on my phone.

trombagn

GreenFlamingo7:

I don't have anything constructive to add about caring for two babies, but I wanted to say kudos to you for taking on the challenging task. You're a great sister.

thanks, i'd rather he be with me then child services but my coworkers say im a pushover/doormat

AshasaurusRex

trombagn:

GreenFlamingo7:

I don't have anything constructive to add about caring for two babies, but I wanted to say kudos to you for taking on the challenging task. You're a great sister.

thanks, i'd rather he be with me then child services but my coworkers say im a pushover/doormat

I don't know the situation, but that is a horrible thing for them to say. You are doing a wonderful thing.

violaplayer

I see in the other thread, it's full time. Definitely, two chairs then. Space saver boosters are wonderful if they are ready for them.

Double stroller is a must. Having two to wrangle makes it a bit crazy.

Grocery shopping becomes a zoo. Definitely order what you can online. Amazon mom is the win! 

citychicks

AshasaurusRex:

trombagn:

GreenFlamingo7:

I don't have anything constructive to add about caring for two babies, but I wanted to say kudos to you for taking on the challenging task. You're a great sister.

thanks, i'd rather he be with me then child services but my coworkers say im a pushover/doormat

I don't know the situation, but that is a horrible thing for them to say. You are doing a wonderful thing.

This. Family is family and you should be commended for stepping up to the plate.

Doodle2011

trombagn:

GreenFlamingo7:

I don't have anything constructive to add about caring for two babies, but I wanted to say kudos to you for taking on the challenging task. You're a great sister.

thanks, i'd rather he be with me then child services but my coworkers say im a pushover/doormat

Caring for a baby who needs it does not make you a pushover.  It makes you a good person who is stepping up. And as an aside, to protect yourself and this baby, you should file for official custody to protect this child from being bounced around.  It sounds like a tough situation, and I wish you the best.

lilbit923

trombagn:

GreenFlamingo7:

I don't have anything constructive to add about caring for two babies, but I wanted to say kudos to you for taking on the challenging task. You're a great sister.

thanks, i'd rather he be with me then child services but my coworkers say im a pushover/doormat

Wow, what douche nozzle said that? May she get her period in a tank full of sharks. What heifer would ever wish a baby to be given to CPS vs family?

Hats off to you for helping your family. Your nephew will love being with you and honestly, having another baby around could be comforting to him. I have a 21 mo old and a 7 mo old. I use swings for my two. Emma will go in the swing while I feed Isla. When Isla is done, she goes in her swing while I tend to Emma. I put on a cartoon or video for the girls while I'm in between babies. It's tedious at first but you will learn to multitask.

Thank you for stepping up for your family. What a wonderful sister/aunt you are!

Doodle2011

I thought of something else that might be fun as they get a little older (for walks and stuff)- a wagon.  I would also check consignment shops (do they have once upon a baby where you are?) or craigslist for a double stroller or the extra high chair.  It will probably be an adjustment for your LO to get used to sharing his mommy, but your nephew is going to need you to love on him as a mommy would, and I bet within a short amount of time they bond as tightly as twins. 

NewFamily09

I have 2 kids close in age, plus I watch one boy who is between their ages, so it's like having 3 babies.  A 2nd high chair will help.  We got a Fisher Price healthy seat or whatever it's called for around $20.  It's much easier to feed 2 babies at one time.  And double strollers are nice so you can get out of the house.  I would never try to take all 3 out shopping, but mostly because the kid I watch isn't related to me.  I'm not comfortable with driving around someone else's kid.

Army~Wife

Awesome of you to be such a wonderful and consistent figure in his life! You are being very selfless and it is highly admirable!

My two are 15 months apart so this might not be helpful until ?your two? get to be a little older but having a PNP has been a life saver for us.  It allowed safety for DD2 for tummy time while DD1 was learning to walk steadier and now that she is running around.  It can help coral one while you are tending to the other.  Sometimes DD2 would rather lay/roll than be confined to a swing/bouncer.  We had the PNP since before DD1 was born and only used it once until DD2 arrived.  Now we use it daily between both of them. 

I love being able to wear DD2 while I push DD1 in a stroller and since ?yours? are both still little it would probably still be comfortable with either one for those times that you don?t want the hassle of a double stroller.  We still haven?t purchased one and probably won?t use the $ for one now that we have our footing a little more now.  I am interested in the stroller clamps though for just in case. 

My girls share a room.  It took some adjusting from both of them but they have learned to deal with each other?s noises.  DD1 will stay up talking to herself for an hour+ sometimes in her crib and it doesn?t bother DD2 at all anymore.  I do highly recommend a sound machine with a projector as it will grab both of their attention and help them fall asleep faster.  This is what we have:

 https://www.amazon.com/Homedics-SS-3000-Soundspa-Lullaby-White/dp/B000QTSW64/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1316795106&sr=8-1

Both of my girls LOVE this thing!

I pray that it all goes smoothly and that you each have an easy adjustment to each other. It is hard work but the bond that the kids make is incredible. Keep your head up and when you need to vent, we are here. PM me if you need anything!