Oh Boy

JC1009

I found out earlier this week that I'm pregnant!  My DS is 6 months right now, so they will be about 14 months apart.  I'm turning 36 this year so we planned for the kids to be close in age.  We started trying last month thinking it wouldn't be so easy (took us a year for DS).  I'm so happy but also freaked out at the same time.

I know it's not going to be easy but wanted to see if you guys have any advice for me. 

~Traver and Alicia~

I have only been a mom of 2U2 for 2 weeks now but I assure you it isn't as bad/stressful/frustrating as it may seem. My babies are 11 months apart and my second LO is a late preemie - born at 35 weeks...only 5 days in the NICU. Maybe it is because my LOs are very easy going and neither cry very often but I have found that this transition isn't as bad as the transition from no baby to 1 baby. Just make sure you super babyproof your house!! That was my first mistake. While nursing, my first LO would be getting into EVERYTHING!!! So my husband set up baby gates to block off the exits out of the livingroom. Also, try and get your second LO on a feeding schedule that is similar to your first's nap/eating schedule. I try to nurse while my first LO is eating or napping....since she does both a lot. Also get one of those diaper cadies. Put your newborn diapers and wipes in there so your not constantly going out of the room to change her - since she/he will be having 10-12 diapers a day. Those were the major things that have helped me. Obviously every baby and family is different and i'm sure there are many other things that I am going to figure out as time goes on. Good luck! I'm sure you will do great! And rest assured that it isn't as draining as when you had your first LO.

Amitchell0626

JC1009:

I found out earlier this week that I'm pregnant!  My DS is 6 months right now, so they will be about 14 months apart.  I'm turning 36 this year so we planned for the kids to be close in age.  We started trying last month thinking it wouldn't be so easy (took us a year for DS).  I'm so happy but also freaked out at the same time.

I know it's not going to be easy but wanted to see if you guys have any advice for me. 

No advice but congrats!! We're in the same situation. DD is almost 9 months, we started trying last month not expecting it to happen right away but it only took 1 try!!

Qmommy

I agree with the pp that the transition from 0-1 was much more difficult than 1-2.  I was worried about the newborn phase but it wasn't too bad!  I nurse DD2 while playing on the floor with DD1, going on walks (DD2 is in the ergo), eating meals, etc.  The only difficulty I have is getting them to nap at the same time.  DD1 only goes down once a day for 1-1.5 hours so I try to get DD2 to nap at the same time. It doesn't always work so I don't always get a break during the day.  

My big piece of advice is to invest in a baby carrier if you don't already have one.  I have the Ergo and love it!  I use it often so DD1 can get out of the house.

 Oh - when DD2 was born I had to stay in the hospital for 2 days because I was GBS + and my labor was ridiculously fast with DD2 (2.5 hours from first contraction to delivery).   I was only at the hospital 15 minutes before DD2 arrived so I didn't have time for antibiotics.  (Tangent over)  I didn't have DD1 come to the hospital until I was ready to be discharged.  I didn't want DD1 to visit, then have to leave me there.  When DD1 came to the hospital to meet DD2 I had DD2 in the bassinet.  That way when DD1 came she could see me then see the baby after she and I had time to hug.  I held DD1 when DH took DD2 out of the bassinet so it was like DD2 joining our family instead of DD1 joining our new family. 

We set up the video camera for their meeting and I LOVE that video.  I highly recommend it!  

Oh my girls are 18 months apart. 

moonfaerie

My first two are 14 months apart, and it actually was an easy transition for our family. (As easy as adding a newborn can be, that is.) DD1 was right at the age where she was into exploring independently, yet notold enough to really be jealous, so it wasn't difficult to handle the baby while she was around. The only times she showed jealousy were the first few times her grandmoms held the baby, and the first time she saw DD2 get a bottle. #2 slept so much aat first, and would sleep in her carrier, so I could still spend time playing with and tending to DD1.

By the time DD2 got clingier (around three months), DD1 was already used to her so it wasn't really a big deal to her that mommy had to hold the baby more.

Some things that I did to help make it easier were to read a story to #1 while BFing #2, or make sure she was set up in a saf area with her toys and I would sit nearby on the sofa so I could still talk to her, or sit on the floor sometimes. Also I kept a supply of both their diapers, wipes, rash cream, etc. downstairs so that I didn't have to transport them up and down the stairs unless it was naptime. (Also since i had a c/s, it was easier on me that way.) My MIL would take #1 one day a week so i could totally focus on #2 (and nap!), so if you have someone willing to do that, it's really helpful.

There were rough times of course but overall I love how close they are in age, especially now that DD2 can interact and sort of talk to DD1. Good luck to you - it's work, but it's very rewarding, as well.

sweetpea2003

Congratulations!

Having kids close in age is a roller coaster ride.  There are great times, good times, and hard times.  We transitioned fairly easily early on, but then hit some rough patches when DS (the younger of my 2) hit the crawling phase and started getting into my DD's space.  My DD can be really sensitive about her personal bubble. 

I think it is really shortsited for people who are 2 weeks or 2 months into 2u2 to make blanket statements about how "easy" or "hard" it is.

I know people who had a very very easy time with the transition and some people who really struggled beyond anything they could have imagined.   In reality, I think we all have good times and bad times.  And depending on our kids' temperments, can make a blanket judgement much later (like, when the younger one is turning 2 maybe?).  I honestly still don't know how i feel about 2u2 and my kids are 33 months and 17 months .

Here is what I do know....  You will be fine, you will get through it.  You need to have low expectations early on and just "survive".  If you have a sense of humor and a can-do attitude you can truly do anything.  If you THINK it is "hard" or "impossible" to grocery shop with two, go out alone with both kids, exercise, etc - it will be.  If you just get dressed and get out the door you will learn that it is very do-able.

Congrats again! 

angelwings111

Qmommy:

My big piece of advice is to invest in a baby carrier if you don't already have one.  I have the Ergo and love it!  I use it often so DD1 can get out of the house.

THIS TIMES A MILLION