How do you go from

[Butterfly Dawn]

2 children to 3?
I have just found out Im preggy again, a year earlier then we had planned. Have just started a job part time and have a 4year old and a 2 year old, both very active boys, havent told hubby about #3 yet (gulp)
Im having trouble imagining how y'all cope with 3 babys Everything seems to get harder- 3 car seats (how many cars fit 3?) It all seems abit beyond me at the moment.
Please share your tips and stories with me

[Visitor7]

I was in your shoes about 18 weeks ago. I always thought I'd have 3 kids, but not for at least a years time. Then our little surprise bean came along. And tbh, it took about 12 weeks to get my head around the idea that I CAN cope with 3 kids, and that I will do it. Yes, there are many things to factor in with regards to going from 2 to 3. We have an 08 Rav4, which at first we didn't think would be able to fit 3 child seats in. So we've done our homework and we've been able to find 3 seats that will fit suitably. Even though we have a 4brm home, one is the spare room/computer room, so my 2 eldest girls will have to share a room. We're in the process now of getting that set up for them.
When this bub is born, my girls will be 4 and 2 & 3 month years of age. They are very active girls, and keep me on my toes all day long.
Do you have much support where you are? Friends? Family? If so, don't be afraid to ask for help. My mum will be taking 2 weeks off in August to help out (mainly with the girls more than with me) and hubby will take 4 weeks off at the end of the year.
Good luck. You can do this.

[Curly]

I can tell you in 6 weeks' time!

Our No. 3 came along a little earlier than planned, it will be an 18 month gap between Number 2 and Number 3 which is smaller than I would have preferred initially but now I think it really will be okay.

I think that's why we are pregnant for 9 months - so we have plenty of time to get our heads around the idea!

Don't forget that at the moment you are probably imagining coping with a newborn in your current situation with your children the current ages they are. As I'm sure you are aware, they can do a lot of growing up in the space of 9 months.

In some ways I think it will be easier this time because DS and DD will have each other to play with and keep each other entertained while I'm tied up with the new baby. And sure, maybe I'm in denial but I keep thinking, well, I was worried about how I would cope with 2 children and I did just fine...I'm thinking it's the same thing again. When you are in a situation, you do just get on with it.

Not to mention that I'm feeling like a bit of an old hand now and know what I'm doing with a baby so there will be far less worry and angst in that department.

Car seats are fine...if your oldest DS is 4 you could, depending on the car, put him in the middle with a sash belt and booster if you only have 2 anchor points. We did need to get a new car but we were kinda planning on that anyway. Other cars will fit 3 car seats across the back with 3 anchor points but you might find that you need to buy a more slimline carseat to make this work...but it would still be a cheaper option than buying a whole new car. Go to a baby shop and they should let you try out different combos to get the right fit.

Truthfully I'm finding it hard dealing with late-pregnancy tiredness and aches and pains and chasing around after a 16 month old. DS is 3.5 years and pretty good really, and is really loving feeling the baby kick. He gives my tummy kisses and tickles "to make the baby laugh", he peeks through my belly button and says he can see the baby, and tells me how much he loves the baby. He does say the new baby can't breastfeed because he already drank all of Mummy's milk and all this is just gorgeous. Poor DD has no idea, she's too little, but she does love babies and so I'm not actually too worried about her reaction. As long as she has her big brother to play with I think she'll be fine.

[~me~]

Congratulations

I had to convince DH about going for number 3. The age gap you are going to have is quite good.
We kept our car..it's a sedan and DS1 is in a booster inbetween the two. We don't have a big car it's a Ford Mondeo and it's a squeeze, but they all fit safely.
You will be amazed at how little one's have a sixth sense about when you are busy with baby. I get them both to help me, include them. They all hop into the bath together
Have you ever heard the saying 'if you want to get something done..ask a busy person'?
It will just click in and you will get a routine happening. Some days can be tough, but they can be tough with 1, 2, 3 or 6.
So you will have a nearly 5 and nearly 3 year old. You can start planning before hand. Perhaps start DS2 with toilet training a couple of months before baby comes along and look at putting him into a bed. Will DS1 be starting school next year? That can take pressure off. I keep DS2 in one day creche so he can play with friends so I have one full day with just DD. Are you in contact with a Mother's Group?
My boys share a room and they love it, especially DS1!
I didn't have alot of help when DD and I came home, DH had just started a new business and couldn't take any real time off, so I was prepared beforehand. Ask for as much help as you need.
You will be amazed how number 3 seems to just go with the flow, they really don't have a choice. Their are times when I have to let her cry while I am attending to the boys, you just seem to cope. The bouncer has come in handy alot more with DD.
You will be fine , trust your instincts you can do it

[Peg]

if you've already got 2, then 3 will be a breeze

[Visitor7]

DS is 3.5 years and pretty good really, and is really loving feeling the baby kick. He gives my tummy kisses and tickles "to make the baby laugh", he peeks through my belly button and says he can see the baby, and tells me how much he loves the baby. He does say the new baby can't breastfeed because he already drank all of Mummy's milk and all this is just gorgeous. Poor DD has no idea, she's too little, but she does love babies and so I'm not actually too worried about her reaction. As long as she has her big brother to play with I think she'll be fine.

Just had to say, that is so cute! My DD1 (who is 3.5) has started doing this as well. Each night she says good night to the baby, and she's been practicing how to hold (and carry ) the baby with her dolls! lol

[Arimeh]

3 is definitely easier than 2. The older two play more together and entertain each other - however - they also do fight more too.

Its tricky at the moment for me cos DS is just being toilet trained, so sometimes still needs help undressing and to empty the potty - and DD1 is going through a screeching and squealing phase and DD2 is going through a "I don't want to sleep more than 20 minutes at a time unless I'm being held" phase.

Ahh the joy.

[Butterfly Dawn]

Thanks so much for the support and encouragment. DS1 is already at kindy (they start at 2 here, 5 days a week from 8-4pm because its better for most of the kids, but it is kinda alot) We might start DS2 in septmeber, that will give me rest time (catch up with the house work time)
I was planning a trip back to AU to see my sister in July with the kids but that should still be ok and I'll be able to eat lots of yummy food again in au- great for baby

So now I wait for 2 weeks to be "late" and break the news
I will be sure to include the boys alot with the scans and prep as that made going from 1-2 alot easier
I loved the comment about having drunk all of mummys milk thats so cute
Feeling much better thanks everybody

[Trillian]

Car seats are fine...if your oldest DS is 4 you could, depending on the car, put him in the middle with a sash belt and booster if you only have 2 anchor points. We did need to get a new car but we were kinda planning on that anyway. Other cars will fit 3 car seats across the back with 3 anchor points but you might find that you need to buy a more slimline carseat to make this work...but it would still be a cheaper option than buying a whole new car. Go to a baby shop and they should let you try out different combos to get the right fit.

You really need to check the laws for where you are regarding this point. With the new car seat laws you may not be able to use just a seatbelt and may need a full 5-point harness. And if your location details are still correct, then you need to make sure you abide by the laws over there.

A commodore will fit 3 carseats across the back, as will a toyota Camry. For a small car they are as roomy as a lot of larger cars.

As for going from 2 to 3, it really is only as big an issue as you make it. Dont forget that by the time this baby is born, your older 2 will be 9-ish months older, so what they are like now, may not be what they are like by then. I think we tend to imagine what things would be like if we added another baby to the mix right now, they way our kids and situation is right now, so naturally we freak out, but if you think that further down the track your boys might be more manageable, it really doesn't seem that bad. I had 20mths between each of my first 3 and I wont lie and say it isn't full on, because it is, but it is certainly do-able. again I think that you would find it full on whenever you add another child no matter what the age gaps are because you are still having to adjust to having an extra child and adjust your routines etc. As hard work as it was at the time, I wouldn't change it for the world.

our #3 slotted into our family perfectly and without a fuss. She was a gorgeous baby, happy to just sit and watch the world go by and I didn't have to change our daily routines much at all. At the time I was first pg with her though, DD1 was a real handful and she stayed like that very nearly till DD2 was born, but once the baby was here, she just seemed to grow up overnight and was a lot easier to deal with, so this could end up being the same for you.

My advice to you would be to approach each day as it comes, be flexible with your expections of yourself and what you can do (by this I mean don't upset yourself if you don't get all the house cleaned in one day - it will still be like that tomorrow unfortunately LOL) and tomrrow is always a new day. If you have a crappy day, just remember that tomorrow will be different.

Finally, Congratulations and good luck with telling hubby