Anyone have 2 under 1?

hecallsmecat

I am about to have 2 under 1 (due 2 weeks before DD's birthday).

 Is there a piece of advice that you got that was truly helpful or would have wanted to get before your second was born?

I really need support here, getting very nervous these days. I was changing DD's diaper and she started kicking me in the belly, and when I moved away from her newbie kicked me from the inside. I'm getting battered from all directions already!

DustiRoseNY

Mine are 13 months apart.  I don't have advice, but I can tell you my experience.  The first 2 months were hard. I barely remember those months to be honest.  Once DD2 started sleeping more at night everything turned around.  I could think again and everything started to click.  My husband is very helpful and now I feel like I have it all under control (most days.)  I love my girls being so close and I can't wait until they can play together more.  I wouldn't change a thing!

It might be hard, but you will get through it! 

Actually I do have advice... Try to remember to do something for yourself once in a while, especially in those first few hard months.  It helped me appreciate what I have even more! 

kcisthebombdotcom

Mine aren't quite 2 under 1, but their birthdays are only a few weeks apart.

I wish I spent more time enjoying my second pregnancy instead of worrying about how tough it was going to be.

The best tips I got to manage the first few months were--

babyproof the heck out of your house so you dont have to worry about your toddler when you have to tend to the baby

Keep diaper changing stations in every room you frequent since you're not going to want to go to the nursery to change on the changing table

Keep stuff stored next to where you feed the baby, like snacks/sippy of water/toys/books so you can provide toddler entertainment while you feed the baby

GL!

rosesandpeonies

My mom did 2 under 1 and she did totally fine.  This was 18 years ago, but she actually did it by herself basically (my dad and mom separated during the second pregnancy...and I was in High school and very busy)  

To be honest my mom seemed to have an easier time having two babies then me having a baby and a toddler...because the toddler was starting the terrible twos early (at 18 months) she had more frustrations than an 11 month old, etc. 

As a mom of 2 under 2 It is intense the first few months.  any extra help is great.  Make sure you realize that you can't please everyone at the exact moment.  There is going to be crying, etc. Just keep going and I promise no one will be slighted.

Also, something that helped me...

when the baby first comes home you obviously don't sleep a lot at night.   However, you need some rest.  Especially keeping up with the demands of two.  So my husband would watch the kids from after dinner until around midnight.  If you are breastfeeding he can just bring the baby to you and you can continue to relax.  It is hard to give up the control...I know, but you have to or you will wear yourself out.  I was trying to do everything I and almost wasted away to nothing...  I learned very quickly that my husband had to help.  I used to help my mom with the first feeding in the morning before I went to High school...so she got the extra hours of sleep.

Also, get some freezer meals going so you don't have to worry about that.

Realize your house may not be perfect and your laundry may not always be done.  

You will be okay!  I promise  My sister and brother and almost like twins (they are the ones that are 11 months apart).  Even at 18 and 19 they are very close.  

silliestbunny

My babies are a mere 8 months apart (adopted). 

My best piece of advice is when you are having a tough day... both are crying... go to your bed w/them both.  I found that was the best and easiest place to meet both their needs.  I could sing to them both, touch them both, feed them both.... whatever they needed, it was easier plopped in the middle of my bed. 

I think it's also a good thing that people say "wow.. you've got your hands full".... you'll get so sick of hearing it that you'll realize it's not nearly as bad as people make it out to be...ha!

kagl08

DustiRoseNY:

Mine are 13 months apart.  I don't have advice, but I can tell you my experience.  The first 2 months were hard. I barely remember those months to be honest.  Once DD2 started sleeping more at night everything turned around.  I could think again and everything started to click.  My husband is very helpful and now I feel like I have it all under control (most days.)  I love my girls being so close and I can't wait until they can play together more.  I wouldn't change a thing!

It might be hard, but you will get through it! 

Actually I do have advice... Try to remember to do something for yourself once in a while, especially in those first few hard months.  It helped me appreciate what I have even more! 

Honestly I couldn't written this any better! My 2 are 13.5 months apart. Everything above applies to me expect I have a girl and a boy.

And I definitely agree on getting alone time! Lately I've been trying to focus on this and I notice a huge difference in myself. I thought before that I had to do it all but lately I'm seeing that time to myself is exactly what I need sometimes.

MamatoJackson

DD was born a week before DS's 1st birthday.

Things that helped...

DH took eight weeks paternity leave.  I know that's not feasible for most but it was nice.

I hired a housekeeper shortly before DD arrived to come every two weeks.  In the beginning, it was nice not having to worry about deep cleaning.

Baby-proof, baby-proof, baby-proof, so that when you are busy with #2, you don't have to worry that #1 is getting into something they shouldn't be.

Take time when you can (when dh is home) to give focused, one-on-one attention to #1.

Lower your standards for everything and know that things will get easier.  Also, try not to worry too much - It was a challenge but it's all doable!  Congrats! 

StefB28

My boys are 13.5 months apart. I was terrified, but overall, it's been easier than I expected. A few tips:

• Have a completely babyproof enclosed area for your oldest child. You will have to walk away to care for your younger baby and you need a place where you can put your older child unattended for a few minutes. (We turned our dining room into a playroom for DS1?it has no furniture, foam pads on the floor and all of his toys.) 

• Have extras of all of your necessities. Thought you had no time when you had one infant/toddler? Multiply that by two. It?s like having twins, only one of them is running around the house getting into everything you don?t want him to while the other is crying in the swing. Things like swaddle blankets, zip up outfits, crib/bassinet sheets and burp cloths?buy more than you think you need. You?ll probably never do laundry as often as you should and it sucks to wake up and realize your baby?s bed is soaking wet and you haven?t washed your extra sheet from the last time that happened (the night before). Ask me how I know.
  

• If you use a pacifier, try to introduce a different type than you did with your first child. Liam loves his Avent pacis?I?m afraid he?ll never give them up! We started with the Gumdrop pacis from The First Years for Jack and he?s taken to them. Liam has picked up Jack?s pacifiers more than once, put them in his mouth, then promptly spit them out. So, when we?re ready to break Liam of the habit, Jack?s pacis probably won?t be an issue.

• Get a good, easy-to-use baby carrier. We have a sling, a Moby & and an Ergo? I love them all for different reasons & tasks.
  

• Get a good light-weight, easy to fold double stroller. We use ours all of the time. We bought the Baby Jogger City Mini & we LOVE it?can?t say enough great things about it.

Good Luck!!