Advice on going from 1 to 2?

Question

Due with #2 mid July, and I’m starting to stress out (well, actually I’ve been stressed out about it before but now we’re only a month away 😳). My daughter will be 20 months old then. It’s going to be so hard to be away from her for 2 nights, so I’m trying not to think about that as well.
I just want to know what my expectations should be for going from 1 to 2. How bad will my toddler’s sleep be? How did your kid’s react to a new baby? Covid also throws this whole thing in a new direction, because we don’t take her into public places because she can’t wear a mask yet...

Answer

Idk if I should comment on these lol. Just know whatever comes your way, you will be ok and able to handle it. It will be hard the first monthor so as you find your rhythm and enlist help wherever possible. Remember it is only a season and seasons end and it gets easier from the first nights away, to the guilt of sharing your time between the kids and jealousy all while you are trying to heal. My baby wants nothing to do with our new one and we are 5 months in, but I believe we are unusual. I try to include her and she cries hard lol. My best advice is to drop any expectations you have. Go with the flow, know the hard times will ebb and flow in-between the good times. Just soak up every sweet moment because rest assured there will be plenty of those too. Also, lots of take out.

Answer

Just had #2 in April and they are 20 months apart. Honestly, I expected it to be way harder. My toddler isn’t easy at all and very high energy, but I forgot how much newborns sleep. The first 7 weeks have been a lot easier than I mentally prepared myself for. I think after experiencing all the stages with my first and how high maintenance he was (out of the womb), that it made this newborn experience seem like a piece of cake! 
My best advice is to just breathe, take it one day at a time, lower your expectations on things you get done, and do what you gotta do to survive and thrive every day handling two under two on your own. My mom gave me good advice for when it’s chaos and they both are crying.. just set baby down & control situation with toddler first in a calm manner. Take a second if you need to and then tend to the baby. Easiest thing is that babies can be set down. Toddlers can’t. Obviously, don’t just let your baby cry all day.. but you know what I mean! 
You’ve got this. Just find your rhythm and what works for you and stick to that rhythm and it will be doable!

Answer

I think the best advice is to get your toddler involved in taking care of the baby. Make them feel helpful and important. Maybe have them hold a bottle, give a pacifier, give some kisses etc. That way they won't feel neglected and they themselves feel good because they're helping our mama 😁

Answer

Hi there! We welcomed baby #2 in March and I was terrified! A couple things I did that I think really helped was I got a baby doll and made sure to always properly hold the baby and give kisses, feed the baby a bottle, burp the baby work on gentle and not just let him swing the thing around lol. Also getting him involved, he loves bringing bottles or diapers to one of us to help. Make sure they still get some one on one time (which can be difficult to find the time!) and I really try to get super excited whenever he does anything positive with the baby (giving kisses, petting,etc) thankfully my son seems to be ok with the new addition, he hasn’t been aggressive or super clingy and his sleep hasn’t been affected. We do have our moments of jealousy but that’s to be expected. It’s definitely been challenging but the good for sure outweighs the bad!! You got this mama 💪🏼

Answer

Due in July with #2 and my first will be 22 months… I have concerns about her adjustment too and I’ve gotten her a baby doll and I always try to include the baby in things (like when we read to her at night I’ll say “I love reading to you and your baby brother” or just trying to get her to realize he will be part of the family soon by saying he likes how she colored or whatever) 
I just keep reminding myself that this second baby will have no adjustment and come in content with being part of the family and my first will adapt and probably not even remember having to adapt haha

Answer

So I just had my second last week and I had these same concerns. So for starters my daughter is 21 months and had never stayed the night anywhere, she stayed at my parents house and was literally perfectly happy. She slept all night and when we got home and they brought her home to us she wanted to stay with them longer 😂 so far she loves her baby brother, we have to really watch her because obviously she doesn’t understand how gentle she has to be but she’s constantly wanting to hold, kiss or hug him. I was worried she’d be super jealous but so far she has been completely content. My mom also got her a baby doll of her own and I think that really helps.

Answer

Ours were 20 months apart and my toddlers sleep was not affected by a new baby. Honestly newborn stage with a toddler is the easiest phase I thought because they sleep so much. As they grow and get mobile was when it changed for me. Biggest thing I did that seemed to work was keeping the same schedule for my toddler and working the baby into it. We also had him get diapers and hand them to us in the beginning to feel included. My toddler would sit on the couch and hold her or he would “help” show her how to do tummy time.

Advice on going from 1 to 2?

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