Coping with a newborn and toddler?

[feeb]

My 2 are 18 months and 4 days apart!!

We had a present for DS1 from DS2 when he came to hospital to visit. I also made sure that I was not holding baby when DS1 arrived.

Its hard work for 6 weeks but after that I found things much easier!! (May also be I could drive then after my cs)

Invest in a good carrier (close carrier I used from start until recently when changed to ergo as DS2 older)

DS1 did not start walking until 21 months.
When I sat to feed DS2 I always made sure DS1 was changed, had water and a snack. I also had some toys in a special bag that he got to play with while I fed DS2.

Books and jigswas are good as u can help 1 handed.

DS1 is pretty good at playing on his own, and will sit and play with blocks or what ever. ABC2 and wiggles DVD's are also great!!

My biggest hurdle to over come was fact DS1 was and still is BF and would want a feed when I was feeding DS2, so sometimes I had 1 on each side other times DS1 waited till DS2 was asleep again.

Good luck and enjoy watching them grow together! DS1 is always giving DS2 cuddles and kisses!!

[miss.cinders]

When I sat to feed DS2 I always made sure DS1 was changed, had water and a snack. I also had some toys in a special bag that he got to play with while I fed DS2.

I second that! I always made a lunchbox up when I had time at night for the next day. That way snacks were always quick to grab when needed....

Actually I still do it today for my 'baby' who's 5!

[~ Zarava Flutterby ~]

CONGRATULATIONS... i wont lie it is hard, my girls are 15mths apart and to be honest i found the first couple of weeks quite easy, DD1 was happy to let me tend to her sister and when i was feeding it was actually the only time she left me alone.
I made sure there were books and food for her though JIC.

The things i have found hardest are when they are both teething at the same time or if 1 is sick and the other is wanting attention, now DD2 is 6.5mths i am finding it quite nice, they interact very well with each other.
DD1 is a very caring big sister and tries to help change her nappy and gets her toys etc.

I think not matter how many you have or how close together there are always good and bad times, just remember it wont always last and 1 day at a time... good luck with it all!

[Anise3]

Thanks for your replies! Some great advice there

I already have a sling and doubles kit for the pram so hopefully those will make outings easier, I like the idea of having a few special toys to bring out at BFing time to keep DD happy too. Hopefully she'll be old enough to be my "helper" so she can be included, I hadn't even considered the jealousy factor that may come into it when the new baby comes!

[iandh]

Hey.
I have a DS who is 15 months and my DD is 4 weeks old.
My husband has been on parental leave for the past month - today was his first day back at work... and my first day on my own with the little monkeys!
DS has been acting up a little, looking for extra attention. He cries if he hears even the slightest peep out of his little sister, he ignores whoever is holding the new baby.
Poor little boy! I hope he likes his sister one day, but at the moment he's ignoring her in the hope that she'll go away!