Nervous for nb to arrive and have toddler too!

jgoetz1

I am 3 weeks from my due date and until now have been a full-time working mom of a toddler.  I'm about to have my second baby and starting to get nervous about how to care for two on my own at home for the next 5 months.  When I had DD all I wanted was to stay home with her full-time.  We couldn't afford it, so we found a wonderful daycare and DD loves it there.  Since I have the next 5 months off, I'm able to keep both babies home with me which is great, but I'm freaking out too!  How am I supposed to keep my high energy toddler happy while nursing and caring for a newborn?  I am considering keeping DD in daycare 2 days a week to give me a little time to rest and bond with my newborn.  Words of wisdom?

msualum96

Congrats on your upcoming #2!  Freaking out is totally normal, it is overwhelming to think about how it will all work, but it just does.

Keep DD in DC, at least a couple days a week like you considered...it will help her AND you!

The 1st few months are rough, not gonna lie.  You just figure out what works for you, keep your toddler on their schedule and just try to survive!  LOL  If DD likes books, coloring, etc, you can keep her occupied with those...OR the dreaded TV...I can put Sprout on and DS will watch it and also play independently while I'm feeding DD.  Your toddler will adjust, it just may take a little while, but she will eventually entertain herself with her sibling!  DS was ambivalent toward DD at first, but now when she's in her exersaucer or jumperoo, he kneels right down there to play with her.  Of course there are times still that DS wants my attention while I'm feeding or bathing DD, but he mostly understands, and if I explain to him that I can't read to him or get him some fruit snacks right now, he is fine. 

Good luck, you will do fine! 

jgoetz1

Thanks for the words of encouragement!  I just contacted our DC and asked if we could keep DD there 2 days a week.  I'd feel much better I think if I knew I'd still have some help with her and could keep her happier.

MrsEllis10

Freaking out is normal!!
My dd was 8 days shy of turning one when DD2 was born. I was so nervous, but as pp said you figure out what works for you. I was home alone after 3 days and honestly it hasn't been easy, but it isn't hard either. My DD's love each other so much. There is no jealousy and I'm loving that.
The first few days DD1 didn't quite understand why I couldn't hold her at certain times, but when I was holding dd2 I would tell her it's Emily's turn and when I would put her down I would immediately pick up dd1 and tell her Madeline's turn. She caught on to that quick. Now she still waits for her turn and runs to me the second I put down dd2.

Amaryllis619

DD1 was 23mo when DD2 was born.  the first few weeks were rough. i also was very apprehensive over how in the world i was going to juggle both girls.  DD1 still went to daycare a few days a week, to give me a break & to give me time to bond one on one with DD2.  now i'm not going to lie, we still have our rough days (especially right now when the whole house is sick) but i've found my groove.  the most important thing i've found is to talk with DD1 when i can't hold her because i'm feeding the baby for example.  i try to give her some one on one attention every day, and lots of praise and attention for being a "big girl". you'll find your groove too mama! good luck!