STM (or more) what are you doing differently

LSU628

this time around? I can think of a few biggies. First and foremost is our sleep routine. With DD I used to hold her, rock her, and she was super dependent on her paci. With DS he hardly ever gets a paci (only if he is having a bad reflux day), I put him in his crib while he is still awake, and I don't hold him the entire time he is napping like I used to do with DD. It has made a world of difference! DS is sleeping better all ready and I can just plop him in his crib and walk out of the room. I am still having to pat my 3-year old's back every night to get her to go to sleep and she wakes up at least 1x per night.

Another is trusting my mommy gut. When DS started exhibiting some of the same symptoms that DD had with her milk allergy, I was much more assertive and proactive. While my pedi's nurse was telling me to use gripe water, I knew something else was going on. Took him to DD's allergist, and he too tested positive for a milk allergy! I've learned that sometimes you just have to listen to that litlte voice in your mommy gut that tells you something isn't right. 

What are some other things you are doing differently this go round?

dande2129

Though I want to kiss his little face all day, I don't hold DS2 as much as I held DS1 as a newborn (and beyond) I held DS ALL.THE.TIME. And yeah, he's almost 3 and I still have to pat his back/rock him/sing to him every night before he goes to bed, just like your DD. Hoping that I'll be avoiding that with DS2!

I am also nursing and fighting through a pretty bad case of mastitis. DS had latch issues but I don't think that I really tried hard enough either.  

Jimsgirl5821

I don't warm bottles this time....much easier at night. I also don't change his diaper at night unless he poops. With DD I was heating bottles and changing every night feeding....took forever. I try to hold him less, hopefully he will be a more independent baby.

diana.filipi

With DS I started far earlier putting him to nap up in the co-cleeper instead of wherever.  Also, I assumed he would go to sleep while simply drowsy much sooner.  DD STTN by 4 months (meaning 11-12 hours) DS was doing it about the same but his naps settled far more swiftly.

jllmb79

I enjoyed reading through this post. I am a soon to be STM. Since I have a 21m old I will be forced to do things different with #2. I won't be able to hold #2 for hours on end relaxing on the couch watching HGTV.  I hope to work on sleep and routine earlier. 

nanabanana06

Honestly, nothing. I did BF longer than with DD. However, I still cosleep, still CD, still baby wear, ect. The only real difference between this time and last is DH being involved (I was single when I had DD) and we are using glass bottles instead of plastic. Oh, and this time we will do BLW and only make purees for pouchies.

LSU628

Jimsgirl5821:

I don't warm bottles this time....much easier at night. I also don't change his diaper at night unless he poops. With DD I was heating bottles and changing every night feeding....took forever. I try to hold him less, hopefully he will be a more independent baby.

Ditto the bottle warming! I try to get DS fed ASAP so he doesn't wake up his sister! 

eb1113

I'm not doing too much differently.  When it comes to BF I am much more on demand than I was with DD1.  Also, in the beginning this time I didn't follow to the 20 minutes on each side.  Last time the nurses told me to do that.  This time I let DD2 nurse for as long as she needs (as long as she isn't just sleeping the whole time).  I have to wonder if that has helped with her gaining weight (DD1 was a lazy eater) and my supply seems better.

 

Kingston54

I think just being more relaxed in general - using what I learned last time to make things easier this time!

FutureMrsBB

This post makes me SOO jealous. I've tried doing things the same for the most part because DS1 was and is still a great sleeper but DS2 isn't having any of it. I EBF now and wasn't able to with DS1 so that has been awesome and harder all at the same time. DS2 is a MUCH needier baby and is colicky but we're managing.

JuliaBug

BFing is so much easier the second time around. I know how to get her to latch well and am dealing with my overactive letdown/oversupply better. Because I am focusing on DD getting a good meal each time she eats, instead of letting her snack like DS did, she is sleeping much better also. 

I hardly ever let DS cry, but sometimes I have to with DD if I am changing DS or something.