getting ready for baby

The age difference between my two daughters is 3 years. I now have a 4 year old and a 1 year old. What I did was I had this book about a pregnant mother telling her child about the new baby in her tummy (A Room in My Heart). I always read this book to my daughter and explained to her what to expect. So, she got the idea. I involved her in preparing things like shopping for clothes and what does the new baby need. She wanted to pick majority of the toys and told her that baby just doesn't need toy but lots of things. No matter how trivial it is, I asked for her opinion. It comes to the point that she is more excited when will her little sister come out than us...:) She also choose her sister's name as I recite names that we are leaning into. When I was in the hospital for the delivery, we bought her a a newborn baby doll and some toys and we told her it is from her little sister. From day one, she adjusted pretty quick and love to help bring diapers or hold the milk bottle. It can't be avoided though that the older one will get jealous especially if you keep on cuddling the baby and she wanted to climb on your lap too. What I did is we have a mommy and her time. I gave the baby to my husband and he holds her while I do stuff with my toddler, like combing her hair, playing little games. Even if it is 10 minutes, several times a day. There is no need to be nervous. When you look at your two children, your heart will just burst out with so much love and you will be assured that you can handle everything. Goodluck!

I have three sons.The first two were 2.5 years apart.The only advice I have is try and involve the older one as often as possible.You will be fine.It just takes a little adjustment. The fact that your worried about it pretty much says your a good mom.But mark my words,think long and hard about a third.Our third son came along 18 months later,and it was pretty crazy.We used to race changing diapers.I would always win because I had the double ankle grip technique down pat. Good luck.

I think it will be easier this time, it was for me with my second one. Seemed like with the first one I had no clue what in the world I was doing, the next time I was on it. One thing I can suggest is, don't forget to make it a special day for your oldest when the new baby arrives and let her/him be your assistant as much as possible. This will help cut down on the jealousy, but be prepared, there is normally some of that to a degree, it's natural. Oh BTW congrats

Well, I've only got one, but as my daughter's two and a half we have several friends who have just had their second child, and they all have similar things to say about the experience: 1. As they've all also got a boisterous toddler, baby no.2 doesn't get as much attention as baby no.1 did. 2. They didn't feel that their lives changed as much after having no.2 as it did the first time around. After the first one your life is turned upside-down, and it changes completely. By the time you have no.2 your life has already changed to accommodate a child, so the difference won't be nearly so dramatic. 3. As they've done it before they are much more relaxed as mothers. When their first baby cried they rushed to pick them up immediately, but with the second, they know that no harm will come to them if they let them cry for a little bit - and this is just as well, as there are times when they just have to run after their toddler! Because of their previous experience they're also less concerned about other things that would have worried them as a first-time mum. 4. They're much more active much sooner after having no.2. With your first child you're a bit scared to leave the house in case they get too cold/too hot/you drop them etc... But with no.2, not only are you more confident, but you need to go out of the house anyway to keep child no.1 busy or take them to pre-school or their other activities. And staying at home all the time with two kids is probably unadvisable! 5. Because baby no.2 doesn't get as much attention as baby no.1 did, is used to sharing their parents, and probably also because mum is more relaxed, no.2 is a more contented, less demanding, easier baby. I'm sure lots of people would disagree with these experiences, but this is how it's been for five of my friends. I hope it works like that for you too! Good luck with the rest of your pregnancy. Hope it all goes really smoothly!