Prepping for #2
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Anonymous
| We’re due with #2 in a month. Our older child just turned 4. What tips/advice do you have for prepping for a second child. DD is very excited and we’ve been talking about it a lot. Looking for tips on how to juggle two, be organized and sane (ha ha) etc. thanks! |
Anonymous
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Keep the routine for the oldest as same as possible. We had the same difference nearly. I let the oldest touch the baby first day. after washing hands etc. never shooed her away and involved her in everything. Lots and lots of praise for her. Baby can cry an extra 30 seconds if you need to tend to the oldest.
Teach baby to hang out in a sling and we used white noise for everyone to sleep better. 4 is old enough to do delayed gratification so "please stay quiet while I'm feeding your sister and then we can read a story". Etc etc. it really really helped that there was little resentment we had to deal with. But it meant that baby spent a lot of time with dad while we showed oldest that she wasn't losing access to mom. A year later and they adore each other. My oldest also hated being called big sister. Still does. She wants to be little and be able to sit on my lap etc. so we never call her that. Your kid maybe different though. Congratulations and good luck. First 3 months with two are a doozy but it gets better. |
Anonymous
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Get a good carrier and get your baby used to it as soon as they are safe to go in it. It really frees up your hands and allows you to take care of the older.
The good news is that your older child at 4 will be able to play independently and likely will be more willing to wait for you. Do try to carve out solo time with just your oldest and aim to keep your older child on as similar of a schedule as they have now. Best of luck! |
jsmith123
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+1 to all this, especially the carrier. That saved me when DS2 came. |
Anonymous
| I was about to give advice on how to handle a hospital visit, but then o realized I assume there are no siblings allowed right now? |