having a second child?

Question

I have a 9 month old son and me and my husband have decided that when he is about 1 1/2 yrs old we would like to start trying for our second child. Our son is an extremely light sleeper he wakes up with almost any noise. We have a white noise machine in his room that plays during the night so we are able to watch tv downstairs and talk. We live in an older house and it is not insulated at all and the bedrooms are right next to eachother. My husband is concerned that when we have the second child, when the baby cries that our son will wake up every time and we will have 2 crying all the time! Has this happened to anyone and does the older child just learn to sleep through it? He seems really worried about this and when he asked I really didn't have an answer! Thanks

the new baby will obviously sleep in a bassinet in our bedroom for atleast the first 3 months and then will move to there own room. I am worried that when the baby cries for food or to be changed my son will wake up right away as this is what he does now when we make even mild noise in the house.

Has anyone's first child been like mine when it comes to being a light sleeper and did they outgrow it by the time the second one came along?

Answer 1

my daughter's share a room....and we also live in a century home

my oldest is 5 years and she loves having her little sis in her room....but i also sleep in there with the girls in a queen bed so crying for the baby is a rarity

and when she does cry my older girl doesn't seem to mind

but if you play your cards right then your new baby shouldn't have to cry much...not to say some babies don't get cranky or colicky but don't let the baby cry and you shouldn't have a problem

keep your new baby in your bedroom either in your bed or in a crib/bassinet

Answer 2

I have a 9 month and a 2 1/2 year old. I have a sound machine in the toddler's room which does help but you are right. When the baby was an infant she would wake up the older child. I closed doors, turned on the vents in the restrooms, had 2 sound machines going, etc. It wasn't as bad as I thought. The older child would ask me the next morning why the baby was crying but she would just lay in bed and listen to her apparently. I think I worried about it more than it was a problem in my case.

On another note having them this close was /is very difficult. I keep thinking if just one of them could put their own clothes on, get their own baths, etc things would be so much easier. On the flip side they are now starting to play with each other and they are having a blast. There are pros and cons to it all just be aware you can enjoy your current child more fully if you wait and don't have to split your time with two. Life is a journey! Have fun!

Answer 3

I have a 3 year old boy and we just had our second, a girl, on Nov 25th. He does wake up some when they are in the same room and I am going in and out. When she has stayed in our room he didnt wake up at all. They actually do fine in the same room though especially when I dont close the door all the way so there is less noise when I have to go in. He also goes back to sleep pretty easily since he's obviously pretty tired in the middle of the night anyway. I wouldnt worry about it. Your older one might be a better sleeper by that point.

Answer 4

White noise machine? thats a new one, never heard of that, Ok, Through my experience, the other kids have learnt to sleep through it. But then I dont need a white noise machine either, if your son won't get used to your TV, then it doesnt sound like he will get used to any sound, but I am sure he will get used to both. Every child is different, but remember, your boy will be much older by the time the new one is born. He won't be a light sleeper for ever.

Answer 5

Keep in mind that when baby #2 does arrive, your son will be more than a year older than he is now. His sleeping habits will be different and hopefully better. Having 3 kids, I can tell you that you will be amazed at what they can sleep through!! I have had my older 2 sharing a room and while one is screaming, getting sick or just being loud, the other will be sleeping soundly. It always surprises me at how they don't hear a thing when siblings are loud, but the second you sit down and put your feet up, they are wide awake!!

Answer 6

You never know, maybe your son will have outgrown his sensitivity to noise by the time your second child does arrive. You can continue to use the white noise machine, if necessary, but otherwise something like this should stop you from having a child. You both will learn to adapt and get through it. Good luck to you!

Answer 7

Im about to find out how my 18 month old will sleep once we have our baby the end of this month. I can only imagine it will be a period of adjustment...but I dont think its going to be a non stop thing.

I know my first never cried louder than a peep and I was up and taking care of things. I'm going to try to NOT do that....because I think I actually woke him up more than he was...first time mommy worries, you know.

Anyway...it will work out...I'm sure.

Check back in a month, I'll let you know. LOL

Answer 8

Having children is the most important sacrfice you will make, it is better to lose some sleep than to have your son go thru life as an only child. the light sleeping part will pass, been there,done that ! goodluck

Answer 9

Your son will be older then so it might not be an issue. You can also wait until he's 2 to try to start trying to he'll be that much older. Good luck!