Any last minute advice?

ldbryan

Our girls will be 14 months apart, and I'm trying to gain all the wisdom I can before DD2 arrives.  Our doula's oldest two are 16 months apart, and I asked her about any advice she could give.  She offered ideas for getting both in and out of the car, taking both to the dr when DH can't keep one of them, etc.  I'm most apprehensive about nursing because I'll be somewhat incapacitated.  DD1 plays well on her own, but not for more than about five minutes at a time.  She's walking really well now, so she gets anywhere very quickly! 

Is there anything you wish you had known before your second one arrived?  Is there anything you learned that you can share?  Thanks! 

celiabwatson

Two things I ended up getting "ready" after #2 was born that I wish I'd gotten ready before relate to diapers.

My kids share a room and we cloth diaper. All the diapers are in there etc. I quickly realized that I couldn't change one child's diaper while the other was sleeping so I had to make a diaper changing station for the living room (just a basket under the coffee table with everything I needed (including a change of clothes)).

I also put a diaper changing basket in the trunk of my car. It's easier to change them there than while we're out and I have to watch the other one as well. It also means that if we just have to run out for something real quick I can just grab the kids and go and not have to pack stuff. 

ldbryan

celiabwatson:

I also put a diaper changing basket in the trunk of my car. It's easier to change them there than while we're out and I have to watch the other one as well.

This is brilliant.  I rarely use the restroom myself when I'm out with DD because I can't stick her anywhere.  I realized not too long ago that that will be even more of a challenge once DD2 is here.  I hadn't thought about changing both of them in public!

 I also made a changing station in DD2's nursery--just a changing pad on top of her dresser.  I wasn't planning on doing this until one night I was putting up something in DD1's room after she had gone to bed and realized I can't taking a crying newborn in there in the middle of the night and expect DD1 to stay asleep!

 Thanks for the advice!

celiabwatson

If you like the trunk basket, here's the rest of the system:

Trunk basket - diapers, wipes, receiving blanket (to lay on), changes of clothes

Diaper bag 1 (small tote bag, small enough that my toddler can carry it if he wants to) - snacks (mostly dry snacks so it can stay packed, but sometimes fruit thrown in), empty sippy cup for water, wipes (for hands), 2-3 baby toys, blanket (for baby to play on). We bring diaper bag 1 with us when we go to the park, bookstore, library etc. Any place where going back to the car to change diapers won't be a big deal. The only thing I have to grab before we leave the house is a big water bottle for me (that I use to fill the sippy also) and a carrier for the baby.

Diaper bag 2 (backpack so I have my hands free) - has everything from both the trunk basket and the diaper bag 1 included, but only dry snacks so I'm not repacking ever. This is for places like the museum, zoo, etc where I won't want to go back to the car to change diapers.

FormerlyKrista555

My advice:  Just relax.  Everything will be fine, and probably WAY better and easier than you were expecting.  At least it was for me anyway.