Any mums with babies close in age? Id love some tips!?

Question

I have a 8mth baby boy and I am 18wks pregnant with our new little boy, when he is born my oldest will be about 13months. Any tips on how to work with both? From newborn to later on?

Yes I'd like tips and ideas on raising close babies, not tips on how not to have sex when im still a child. Heres a tip for ya - close your legs, ps - you should've stayed at home playing with your barbies. You wouldn't have to feel so sorry for yourself now and spread negativity around.

Thank you to everyone else who is being helpful - its good to know that it can be done (as hard as it may seem)! Support is awesome! Thanks again!

Answer 1

My kiddos are about 19 months apart and planned that way. There are a lot of benefits for our family in having them close, even though we knew we were signing up for a year of insanity. ;)

Here's what has helped us adjust and get through the first few months:

Plan a babymoon. The fourth trimester of pregnancy is the 3 months after you give birth. Don't plan anything huge during this time, like moving or starting a new job. Do plan to allow yourself to be pampered as much as possible. Get help with the housework, stock up on frozen meals, and spend as much time as possible just being a mom to your babies and allowing yourself to rest and recover.

Talk to your little boy about his new baby brother. Read stories about having a new baby in the house, tell him what's going on inside your uterus, etc. He's little, sure, but he gets a lot more than he can express at this point.

Don't make any big transitions for your son during the last few months of pregnancy. We held off on turning dd's carseat around, moving her to a separate bed, I didn't try to wean her, and we took a break from potty learning. She still cosleeps and nurses now that her brother is here but we're back on track with the potty and have turned her forward-facing in the car. I think easing off on any big changes (aside from having a baby!) really helped her adjust.

Prepare your son in case you need to be separated for a night or two. We had a friend available to stay with dd just in case something came up and we couldn't do an early discharge, but we didn't talk to her very much about it. I wish I had, because she was really traumatized when I couldn't come home for 2 nights and she couldn't stay at the hospital with us. More preparation would have made that easier on her (and me).

If you don't have one already, get a sling. Slinging your new baby will keep him close to you and comforted while you have your hands free for your older boyo. I recommend a Maya Wrap or BabyHawk, depending on which style you like. Both are beautiful, durable, easy to learn how to use, and carry up to 35 pounds.

Good luck, mama! It can be a little crazy-making some days, but it's also wonderful. DS is only 15 weeks old and they're already so bonded.

Answer 2

i have 2 daughters 15 months apart. the infancy of the 2nd one will be a blur. a friend gave me a calendar with stickers for baby milestones, like rolled over, waved byebye, etc. i posted this by the door of the nursery, and when DD2 reached a milestone, i'd just stick the appropriate sticker on that day. then, later on, i could fill in the baby book.
for a while, they will both nap 2x a day. you take a nap, too, either during both or just one, as you will need your rest.
if you plan on nursing, nurse lying down during the nighttime feedings, it's much more restful that way.
change their diapers one right after the other.
the older one may get a little mad at you when you go to the hospital to have the younger one, esp if he doesn't see you for a few days. pick out a gift from the baby to him, and give it to him.
it'll be cool when they get older, and they can play together.
make time to play with the older one when the younger is napping, and emphasize the stuff he can do because he's a big boy. he may get jealous of all the attention babies naturally attract.
good luck! you'll get through the first year and a half.
make sure the babies' dad lets you have breaks, get out with friends and so on.

Answer 3

I had the same thing happen! Be prepared for no sleep x2!!
When the baby wakes up and gets fed, don't keep him up long after. Put him right back to sleep and spend some time with your older son (if he's not attending daycare) and if he's attending daycare do a couple a chores (so your house is kept up). Make sure you take at least 1-2 naps while your newborn is sleeping. Rest WILL BE your main focus!! If your older son is at home during the day try to have him sleep when the newborn sleeps because if he's up while the young one's asleep you'll just start a very vicious cycle of stress. I mostly focused on rest because that's what you'll mostly be focusing on.
Take care and Congratulations!

Answer 4

First, congratulations. Second, your definately pregnant being so harsh on miss teen mama. I'm sure she could probably use a bit of compassion in that situation. The close your legs statement always pisses me off. It's so, arrogant and deliberately degrading.

That being said. My boys are 18 months apart, the oldest loves his baby bro and is very helpful. They don't usually go off in syncro. The baby is awesome at sleeping through Koen's terrible twos. The most important thing is to make sure you have time to yourself. Not just time with sleeping kids, but time away from them. It's harder with two, so you need to keep yourself charged up and ready to go. Good Luck.

Answer 5

I have 3 sons20 mos between 1 & 2, and 13 between 2 & 3.
You're in for a rough time!
Ican tell you this, tho- 2 is better than 3, because ONE always gets ganged up on!
Make sure each child gets time alone with you--stagger naptime for them. Make their bedtimes the same, at least until age 10 or so (for YOUR sanity).
Read to them together as soon as the little one will sit for it., and try to individualize your attention toward each child.
Good luck--and stock up on sleep while you can!!
Mine are now 23,24, & 26 years old, and they get along better than any other brothers I know!

Answer 6

I had my second daughter on my oldest daughters 1st birthday!! Its great that they will have someone to grow up with and they always wore the same sizes after 2. BUT they fight like hell and keep an eye on your older one around the new baby!! My oldest bit a chunk out of the baby's back ... WHILE I WAS HOLDING HER!! They are very sneaky and quick. They will grow up close and need each other which is great !! Good luck!!

Answer 7

I will tell you first hand...it's not easy. My daughter is 21 months and my son is 3 months. When she cries he cries and vice versa.. but really its the greatest thing in the world. Wait untill they start playing togeher..you will feel warm and tingly inside. Just overall be patient.... It takes a lot of that. You will need lots of help...just take it one day at a time...you'll make it...good luck!

Answer 8

ok for starters you assert your now not into his pal, then why in hell are you because of the actuality that dating him over the guy you're interested in? it fairly is mindless in any respect...it is not a love triangle considering you do not safeguard the whole activities you are going to be only finding to be in some style of interest from those adult males. recuperate out of your self critically...do not' play video games and don't' positioned up stupid dating head interest questions interior the marriage class...

Answer 9

My niece has two boys 10 months apart and they are extremely close. You will do great - just trust in yourself. Good luck and God bless.

Answer 10

Sounds like fun. You'll be an expert in no time. You are tougher than me, I could never have kids so close and stay sane.