Two babies- a few questions?

[shorty]

Hi all,

Ive been wondering latley how Logan will cope when i do go into labor. I know he will be safe(In laws will be minding him) but he has only ever been away from me for an hour or so. He is also breastfed and wont take to the bottle, he only has a very short feed(round 5-10mins) at 6am, 10am, 3pm then 8pm. But he is put into cot awake and falls asleep himself. So im hoping he will just self settle without anything while im away.

Im also wondering about what sort of routine i should have when i get home? I have a really good routine now with Logan and i guess i work around it with bubs? Can i ask what other mothers with similar age gaps have done? I realise its going to be alot harder and i WILL be asking DP for help when i can, but he hardly helps me now and i can see this isnt going to change.

TIA

Simone

[Nelle]

Perhaps get the inlaws to mind him a few more times before bub is born, so when it happens, it's just time with the grandparents again? Mine did a few sleepovers before hand, although it ended up that he slept through the birth, and I birthed his brother in the room next door! :P

Routine might be a little out the window at first, because it will take your new one a bit of time to find their groove. But the great thing about kids being this young when another is born is that they're too young for jealousy, and are happy to read a book with you on the couch during feeds.

Having some snacks handy could be good though, I've found mine's a bit of an opportunist and does naughty things while I'm feeding, so I keep him distracted or lure him away from whatever he's touching with snacks.

I guess stick to your routine that works for you as best you can, but don't stress if that doesn't happen straight away with a new bub, kids are pretty flexible. All the best for the rest of your pregnancy!

[LuluHB]

I stuck to my toddler's routine and am trying to get the baby to work around that. I found things have flowed so much easier if DD#1's world is as normal as possible - which is ridiculous to say given that it has been turned upside down by the appearance of this new little creature that takes attention away from her.

As for handling your disappearance during labour, I can't help with that one. I went into labour at 2.00am and was back home with DD#2 at 3.30 pm that day so DD#1 was only awake for about 4 hours without me being there, but Nelle's suggestion of increasing your son's time with his grandparents is perfect. Will Logan drink from a sippy cup? That may be a way for your ILs to give him BM while you're gone. Unlike what Nelle said, I did find that DD#1 was extremely jealous when DD#2 was born, but it passed quickly and now she is incredibly gorgeous with her.

[Nelle]

Unlike what Nelle said, I did find that DD#1 was extremely jealous when DD#2 was born

Oops sorry. Perhaps I take my laidback 'meh' boy for granted sometimes.

[SamiH]

Hun, it is hard not to worry - but he will be 18 months old then, knows your IL's I presume so will be in a safe and loving environment - he is too old I think to worry about a bottle now - I agree re sippy cup - and loads of kiddies don't feed that often at 18 months so for 24 hours he will be absolutely fine Only thing is I hope the IL's will look after him in his own environment - might make it a bit easier if he has to sleep overnight with them etc

The important thing for you is to try to not worry about him (i know how hard it is, i don't have family here so my DS stayed with a friend) If you start labour and worry too much it may impact on the length of labour and contractions etc.

We're not far away now

[shorty]

Thank you ladies for your kind words and advice!

We actually live with the in laws(out the back in a granny flat) so i know he gets along fine with them, i think im just worried because there is not a set time for these things lol. I hopefully will have a much quicker labor this time( Logans was 15hours) but if i dont i guess i better prepare him first. (He has started to get to the 'clingy stage', where he is happy- so long as he knows where i am.)

With the jealousy, i guess i wont know till bubs arrives, but im pretty sure he might have a little problem with sharing his "boobie" lol. (Unless he decides to wean himself). Im thinking i will stick to the routine i have and do everything for bubs in between. That way Logan wont get too 'out of place'(well hopefully).