Second baby advice?

Question

I am expecting my second child(a boy) in June. My daughter will be 21 months when he is born. My partner works long hours so I will be pretty much on my own.
I'm starting to get nervous about how it's going to be, what if the new baby is really different to the first and is really moody?
What if my daughter hates her new brother?
Any advice from parents of 2 or more children about anything would be appreciated.

Answer 1

do'nt worry they'll be no problems.maybe she'll get jealous sometimes when you give more attention to the baby.my 7yr old son and 4yr old daughter love their 7mth old brother and they help me which is nice!good luck x

Answer 2

Take it one day at a time. Worrying won't really help you, especially right now when you're pregnant and already looking out for a child.

Every kid is different, but I doubt your daughter will hate her new brother. Just get her involved in the preparations. Have her pick out a gift for the newborn so she can give it to him when he comes home from the hospital.

Having two is more than 1+1, but it's also a lot of fun. Your meal-times will never be the same...

Answer 3

I'm sure you'll all be fine. There are just 22 mths between my 2 children who are now 25 and 23 yrs old. I had the same worries as you, I'm sure everybody does. As long as you make a fuss of the big sister (& make sure anyone else who comes to visit does the same) you shouldn't have too many problems. It's also nice to buy big Sister a present from her little brother and let her help you with nappy change etc. Just make her feel involved. You often find 2nd children don't tend to need as much attention as in fact you don't have quite as much time as you did for your first born.

Good luck, you'll be great!

Answer 4

The day I bought my son home from the hospital my daughter didn't want anything to do with him. I would just keep an eye on her. I know the first few months it was really hard for my daughter. But there would be times when she would try and hurt him. I caught her about to step on him. She only tried that once. But now that they are older they are best friends. They play nice together. My daughter is 6 and my son is going to be 4.
So at first it is going to be hard on her. Just try to include her on everything. It worked for me. She would want to help with changing the baby, feeding, and play with the baby. I hope this helps you out..

Answer 5

My kids are a bit older now, but I remember worrying about the same thing! It can be a challenge, but you have time to impact things in a postive way.
I talked to my daughter A LOT about the coming baby. I encouraged her to think that the best thing that could ever happen to her was her brother! She believed me, and to this day they are the best of friends.
She wont hate him, she will follow your lead and adore him.
When the baby is born he will sleep a lot, and so he wont disrupt her life completely. My adive is to sleep when they both sleep - surely your daughter takes naps?!! And, be flexable. Kids feed off of the parents energy so if you are freaking out they will double up on you!!
* Maintain coolness
* be flexable
* if it works for you, it will work for them.
Those are my top tips and...INCLUDE her. Let her hold him, with your support. Let her help with diaper changing, and whatever else she wants to do.
You obviously love these kids so remember taht love over rides all else. I will send of a million prayers that your boy is easy and cheerful!

Congrats!

Answer 6

The age different between my 2 girls are 21months too. They are now 2 and 4 and get along fine. My older daughter was very jealous for the first 2 months but i let her bath her sister and played with them together to create more bonding. They snatch one anothers toys even now but most of the time they get on well. Don't worry about things, just enjoy them as much as you can. Good luck.

Answer 7

I had the same worries with my 2nd as my little girl was 26m when he was born, and then he was only 23mnths when my twins were born.
as others have said here, include your daughter as much as possible, talk to her about how wonderful it is to have a sibling, focus with her on the positive.
If you can, be organised and get into a routine, children work well with routine and it will make everything ten times easier for you.
2nd babies are so very different and as they settle in they can be easier, firstly due to the fact you are more confident, which makes them feel safe, and you know now when to run to the basket to see to them and when to just leave them a while with the sound of your voice for comfort. mine became very patient as babies, especially the twins!
The reality really is easier than the thought, youll do well :o)

Answer 8

There are a few things to remember here.! that all babys are different.your little girl wont hate him,though she may get a little jealous.Be sure to include her.ask her to help you change him or bath him.read them both stories.Explain to her that while you have more to worry about now then her alone you love her and always will.Children understand things even if they appear as though they dont.Things will be better for her and you if she understands she can no longer have all your attention and why but also she is still your little baby girl.it may be hard but you can do it.Us mothers have great abillities. Best wishes and much congradulations.

Answer 9

please don't worry, you'll be fine.

it may not always feel that way but take it from me everything works out in the end.

one thing i would say is to be organised, have a box in your living room (or where you spend most of your time) and keep it filled with nappies, wipes etc for them both along with changes of clothes so you won't have to trail round the house looking for them.

also work out what your priority is for that day (some days it may just be getting you all dressed before lunchtime!!) but if you do have jobs to do work out which one is the most important and get that one done first.

hope you have a great time, it will be tiring but well worth it.


xxxxxx

Answer 10

take this time to aprieciate what you have and don't stress aboutwhat 'might' happen all will fall into place i have 2 children 19 months apart and i felt the same when i fell pregnant but we we're all fine my son was, and still is great with my daughter she is 7 now. enjoy your daughter now and involve her with the baby when he is born.

good luck and don't worry :)

Answer 11

when i was preganant with my 2nd child, my husband worked away a lot, especially at night. i worried about how i would cope with 2 children under the age of 3 alone. but when my son came along everything was fine and fitted into place so well. you will adapt, trust me, and you will wonder why you ever worried at all. concentrate on having a fantastic pregnancy (well as fantastic as it can be, lol). congratulations on your 2nd preganancy!!!! everything will be fine, i promise!