For those with 2 or more children

BabyNewbury2012

We have one 10mth old daughter and are planning to start trying for number 2 this summer. Our daughter is such a good, happy, easy baby and has been since the very start. Makes me wonder if number 2 will be the exact opposite, lol....I guess I just worry about juggling it all lol

Tell me what life is like after having that second one?

Thanks!

stacieann15

I might sound crazy saying this. I think the transition from 0-1 was more difficult for me than the transition from 1-2. I usually say it's because my life was already over when #2 came along. Now my husband thinks the opposite (I think he finds it more difficult because he has to "work" more because usually he has to be the one with Luke when I have to feed/tend to Nathan.

There are definitely moments that are insane. And of course every kid is different. But I'm glad we had 2U2 and I'm glad we have our little guys that just really light up when they look at each other.  

jcsntms06

My first baby was very fiesty and hardly ever sleep (and still has issues sleeping now). DD2 is so laid back, sleep well, very opposite of each other, but I love it. Would not change it for the world.

Cheerio B

Exhausting. I wouldn't change it for anything but it is much harder than I thought it would be. DD was our easy baby, STTN at 10 weeks, would eat anything, didn't fuss much. DS has been the opposite in almost every way. Having a needier baby with a three year old is really challenging and there are days I feel like I'm failing one or both. But the moments when they 'play' together or both are happy are priceless.

KatFCo

It was hard for us because DD came home on NICU schedule, so we had never experienced the newborn phase. Both were pretty chill babies, but DD slept through the night early on and DS still isn't.

For us, it's so much easier having the kdis 5 years apart. It's not what I originally wanted, but it's what had to happen and now, I'm glad for it. DD is old enough to understand what's going on and even though she still feels jealous of DS, she's able to take care of herself.

Lina1030

I have 3.....each baby I have gets easier and easier. Makes me want #4 lol The tough part now is my 2 year old...he is a hand ful....good child but very active and all boy.

jnicolen1

It was vey difficult for us for the first 5 months. They are 17 months apart and both have tummy issues. Now that we are 10 months in it is smooth sailing and totally worth everything we went through.

MsNessa

Mine are 2 years apart, and honestly it's been hard.  DD1 was a difficult baby and luckily DD2 was pretty average, but it was still hard.  I think I experienced a little PPD, but the guilt was horrible for me.  Guilt about not spending enough time with the baby because DD1 needed me at times, guilt about losing the one-on-one relationship with DD1 (SAHM), etc.

It's still hard sometimes.  The worst part of the day for me is probably the morning and getting them both ready.  It takes forever.  Having different schedules is also complicated.  In the beginning they would nap at the same time in the afternoon, then different times, and then DD1 stopped napping.  But things like that change so often as they go through their phases.

But seeing them together is awesome.  They love each other, it's so much fun to watch them laugh and have a good time.  We tried for a smaller age gap (I wanted 18 months) but it just didn't happen.  DD1 had trouble with jealousy and hitting for a while and I think if she was younger when DD2 was born she might not have had as much trouble.  But a lot of it was probably her personality too.

Anyway, even though I wouldn't call it easy, it continues to get easier.  I also think it helps that we set our expectations pretty low for the first few years.  lol  I think as they continue to do more things themselves it will be better.

It sounds like it shouldn't be too bad for you.  Even if your second is hard, it will help to have a toddler who is easy.  I think the most important thing is making time for yourself.  It helps when you're dealing with the really stressful days.