First off, there is no point in being scared! What will be will be.....and you WILL cope!
If you look at my sig, my three are close together. 17 months between Olivia and Charlie and then just 14 months between Charlie and Lexie. When Lexie was born I had 3 under 3.
If I can do it, anyone can, LOL!
Don't forget that newborns will sleep a lot in those first weeks....take advantage of this time to either get your older one to nap too, so that YOU can nap too. I shamlessly maniplulated their sleeps to try and get them to sleep at the same time at lunchtime, even just for 30 mins, so I could regroup!
Others may disagree, but I also had no shame in exploiting the DVD player for a while in the early weeks so that I could sit on the couch with the newborn and BF, knowing that the older ones would be entertained.
Try and get a groove happening for bedtime rituals as soon as you can. Then if your day goes to all hell, at least you know the bath & bedtime is coming and that that will be the "restart" button for all........
Easier said than done, but try to go with the flow.......let the house go if needs be, and allow them to get to know each other too.......the joy of seeing my 3 together more than makes up for the bedlam.......and literally kept me sane in the early weeks when Lexie was born........to see Olivia and Charlie beng gentle and kissing Lexie.....bliss.
Get a mega sketch. Get hard books andthing. I always make sure that if im with the baby that im reading, drawing..playing lego (the big blocks) even just singing with the older baby.
My only problem I have is that Vy gets to lovey and smoothers Mateauz all the time...its gotten worse that he's rolling now but then I distract her and get her to 'help' me. When i give mateauz tummy time, I get the washing out to fold and get Vy to help me...she ask's me who's it is and I tell her...mums...dads...Vyoletts....whoevers and he gets his time and she gets my time
Feed times we're a headache...so i made sure I had plenty of tiny teddies in the cupboard and a little bowl and 'cup' of water for the older baby to have so they weren't left out then either.
its tricky but once you get your groove it tends to be beautiful.
Enjoy having your 2 under 2...they group up being VERY close
ETA - YES DVD has saved my world!!!!!!! I know ever word of the night gardern off by heart
IS anyone trying to put their 14 month old in a big bed now? in time to transition before bub is due?
we have bought a bed are are going to try this weekend... is it too soon - we have a side rail
PP - I put Nina in a big bed when she was 15 months old. It was such an easy transition. We've never had any problems with it.
The DVD definitely came in handy. Also, I used to prepare Nina's food the night before, and have it all in a lunch box in the fridge. That way when meal time came, it wouldn't take much to get Nina's food out, in case I was attending to Nina.
Like Maz said, books, crafts, anything they can be left to play with and entertain themselves with for a while you look after the baby.
OH great thread hun! Im another who will have less than 17 mths between them!
I already have Isabelle in a routine of dvd and snack in the arvo so am hoping to expliot that if I need to and Maz thanks so much for the reminder of a mega sketch! I will have to get one next time Im out for her.
Yep - another one in the 2 under 2 group The mega sketch is a great idea - one I think I might steal as a gift from the baby to the boy!! I am actually looking forward to having them close together, even though it will be bedlam and sleep may be scarce. As for the house - it is already a mess from the destructo boy so an infant isn't going to change much
Some of these tips are great - thanks ladies - keep em coming.. DS i wont be trying the bed thing for a while he will be out of that bed give him 2 secs im doing the double cot thing for a while buit getting him the cot that turns into a toddler bed so when time comes not to much of a waste of money.
Michelle - im hearing you my place is destroyed most of the time... sometimes i look around and go OMG this place is trashed...
He doesnt really sit long enough for the DVD thing - might try the mega skecth thing too he loves drawing on his blackboard
Olivia at 17 months wasn't into DVD's so I had a basket next to where I BF'd Charlie full of toys.....she was really into Little People at the time. So that helped. And books too.
I had 2 under 2 when Dd#3 was born last Sept. There is 19 months b/w them. I also had a 4 yr old.
The other tips are great the girls have given. I too resorted to the dvd player - i still do when im preparing dinner, and when im putting #2 or #3 down for a nap - im almost guaranteed 20 mins of 'peace'......
My suggestion is make sure you all eat LOL. I found the first few weeks tough, it would get to 2pm and id realised i hadnt eaten anything since my toast at 8am, neither had my toddler........ When buttering toast in the morning, pull out some bread, wack some vegemite on, throw it in the fridge - there, there is lunch done for you and your toddler. Throw some apricots, sultanas, dried biccies, whatever they like to snack on too in a containter. That way, when you have to feed your newborn, grab the container and your toddler may have a snack with you. Theres nothing worse than being into a full feeding session when your little one wants a drink, something to nibble.........ad wants in NOW.
Good luck, and like Lucy said, we've all surivived it, you will too.....
I had dd 2 when dd1 was 25 months...not two under two but close enough.
My suggestions
Get the bedtime routine down. If you are thinking a big bed then do it now!! It took me over a month to settle Sara into a big bed..Thanks Lucy for those tips!!!!
Set up at good lunch time sleep routine too.
Have snacks available
DVD's a must
In the first few weeks ask a special family member to come over and do afternoon play and bath time for the toddler or take the baby whilst you do the routine and take time out with your first..I so wish I had someone to do this.
Bugger the house or set aside baby bonus money to have the house cleaned. My DH doesn't buy me flowers when I give birth he makes sure I come home to a clean house.
Get an answering machine.
Go with the flow...In times of stress (2 screaming babies) just think of a cool blue ocean and remember that tomorrow will be different.
When you need a break don't be afraid to call out for help!!!!!
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Tips on juggling 2 under 2
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