I reckon a few weeks. You know my DD - she is quite high-energy and I wanted things to remain as "normal" as possible for her, so DS was born Thursday morning and Tuesday I was at my normal Tuesday playgroup, Wednesday playgroup, visit at mum's Thursday and Friday music. DD needed her little routine, that was important to us. That and I wanted to show DS off I had a few visitors over the weekend but by the time Monday rolled around, I was ready to get back into things with her.

He was pretty cruisey in those early days - most newborns are - he was hungry, so he spent a lot of time being fed, and he was unsettled a bit, so spent a lot of time in the bouncer while we were at home, but he also put himself to sleep in his cot one day while I was getting ready to go out, when he was about 5 days old. Had a grizzle but DD was having a tantrum so he got ignored and by the time I got to him, he'd gone to sleep. Bless! I also borrowed a sling off Det (thanks Det!) which we used HEAPS while out and about, and a HAB, which we used not as much, and had my trusty Ergo. Have you got carriers hun?

He didn't ark up until DD was older, which was wonderful. Couldn't have handled two of them being terrors at the same time! Oh wait - that's my life currently!!

One of the biggest things I reckon to work out now is who looks after whom at night time. During the day, esp with your DD who is pretty self-sufficient during the day, you'll be fine - bubs cries, tend to bubs. Tell DD what is happening, ie if she wants you attention while you are involved with bubs, you'll be able to say "DD, baby needs me right now, I will be right with you as soon as I have finished doing X." and she will most likely get it.

Nights, different story. DH and I made the decision that I would tend to baby and he would tend to DD overnight. He adjusted quite well I have to say, and was even waking up when she cried without me elbowing him in the ribs!