your second child

I will be giving birth to my second child alittle girl in 4 weeks. I am starting to become nervous to bring home another child. With one child its sort of easy but how do you manange two kids? Also, how do you ensure your older one that they are not forgotten. Its almost a guilty feeling that the attention will not only be with Sammy. It has been ALL ABOUT SAMMY for the past 3 1/2 years and now his time will be shared with his sister. ANy pointers please.

Re: your second child

I just always include my kids they help change feed hold the baby etc...this way they feel like they are big helpers, yes it can take longer to do things but it helps the transition ...best of luck!!!

Re: your second child

I felt guilty about this too. Just remember that you are having this baby so that Sammy will have a sibling.

Including him in baby stuff will help. One tip I read before I had Maddie was when nursing/feeding your new baby - explain to your new baby (while Sammy is in earshot) that as soon as you're done feeding it's going to be Sammy's turn to play with Mommy. That will reassure him that his time is coming - and that he has to take turns.

Re: your second child

I took Patrick on a sibling hospital tour. And I spent all the time prior to given birth w/ him. I always tell him he will always be my # 1 baby. I make sure that he never feels left out. And it also helps that his sisters just light up when he is around. I also go on dates with him. I have my husband watch the girls & we go out.

I had those same fears. I was crying one night thinking about it. But, we are on 3 months of him no longer being the only child & he doesn't feel left out & he knows we adore the hell out of him.

Re: your second child

I am due in about 4 weeks also (2/14) - and Angela is 17 month old. So, she is too young to understand that there is a baby coming. I am totally freaked about how she is going to react when the new baby comes home. I just can't picture Bfing for a half hour, she will be tugging at my legs and trying to climb up on my lap for sure!

Re: your second child

I always make time ofr each child individually, we go get our nails done, go shopping, run to the drug store, etc. I think 2 is very doable especially since you have 1 parent for each child, you'll be fine, I found that 3 pushes you over the edge, because the kids out number the adults.

Re: your second child

My son was about 3 1/2 when Mallory was born... I was so so nervous about not being able to have enough time for him and I didn't want him to feel left out... I took him for a hospital tour and a big brother class.... our family brought gifts for the baby and the big brother to the hospital (I bought and wrapped a few things and brought them with me just in case he felt left out)... my family took turns taking him to do things so that he felt special and it gave me and the baby a chance to rest, my DH brought him to work for a little while in the morning and brought him home for a nap and that helped me big time and it was fun for my son because he was excited to go to work with Daddy.... I just make sure that I make time to do things with just my son too... you'll be fine

Re: your second child

I think making sure you have a few gifts "from the baby" such as a Big Sister/Brother shirt are very important. I also got Molly 2 "I am a big sister" books so she will begin to get the idea...although I doubt a young child can really understand "sharing mommy/daddy" or being a sibling. But I use the words "brother" and such to just give her the idea.

I am always nervous about this too...change is never easy even when it is exciting and wanted.
My husband tells me all the time "know that this will be a challenge and not super easy but will also have lots of happy times and great moments" so that is what I am doing.

Re: your second child

Posted by IrishTracy

I took Patrick on a sibling hospital tour. And I spent all the time prior to given birth w/ him. I always tell him he will always be my # 1 baby. I make sure that he never feels left out. And it also helps that his sisters just light up when he is around. I also go on dates with him. I have my husband watch the girls & we go out.

I had those same fears. I was crying one night thinking about it. But, we are on 3 months of him no longer being the only child & he doesn't feel left out & he knows we adore the hell out of him.