Moms of 1... what would you do diff when you have baby #2?

For me... I would actually listen to people and sleep when the baby sleeps.... I had to try (and try is the key word here) and get something clean in the middle of her naps.

It's all going to be there when you wake up anyway. And I would have felt better and more refreshed.

Re: Moms of 1... what would you do diff when you have baby #2?

Not be so stressed about everything, sleep, naps, swaddle, feeding, etc.

Re: Moms of 1... what would you do diff when you have baby #2?

I agree with trying to rest - but I assume when you have #2 that's impossible due to #1

I would probably avoid using the swing as a crib so much in the beginning - that wasn't the easiest transition - but in retrospect, it could have been worse.

And I would be more careful about letting a newborn camp out on my breast during nursing - Ryan used to nurse for 60-90-minutes each session in the beginning - that probably wasn't necessary!

And I wouldn't spend $$$ on clothes - a few "dress" outfits, but I've def. learned Target and Old Navy stuff fits well and is more comfy.

Message edited 11/2/2008 8:58:12 AM.

Re: Moms of 1... what would you do diff when you have baby #2?

Enjoy the newborn stage.
Sleep when people offered to let me.
Not BF since it caused me so much stress and ultimately PPD.
Take my 4 full days in the hospital.

Re: Moms of 1... what would you do diff when you have baby #2?

I didn't do anything differently--I was happy with the way things went for #1. Well, the one thing I remember doing differently is NOT sterilizing the bottles for an entire YEAR!

Oh, and sleeping when the baby sleeps is an entirely different challenge with two!

Re: Moms of 1... what would you do diff when you have baby #2?

The only thing I would do differently is put DC in his/her crib much earlier so they aren't sleeping with us till they are almost 6 months old.

Re: Moms of 1... what would you do diff when you have baby #2?

Sleep when the baby sleeps is my only thing. I don't see that being possible with 2 kids though, but so many times when Victoria was napping, I was scrubbing bottles and keeping things nice and clean but wearing myself out.

I no longer do that

Re: Moms of 1... what would you do diff when you have baby #2?

For #2 we are better about not rocking him to sleep and letting him put himself down. We are far more laid back with him and he in turn is a far more laid back baby. At night we both didn't get up with the baby we alternated nights on the couch with the packand play this way one of us was refreshed for my daughter.

Re: Moms of 1... what would you do diff when you have baby #2?

I would not rock him to sleep
and try alittle harder in terms of BF

Re: Moms of 1... what would you do diff when you have baby #2?

I'm actually pretty happy with how things went with DD as a newborn. I am probably going to try not to warm the next ones bottles. What a PITA. And force more tummy time!

Re: Moms of 1... what would you do diff when you have baby #2?

DD #2 will be in the crib from the very beginning- no using the swing as a crib.

Sleep when the baby sleeps. DD #1 will be in school full-time for the first month & then part-time after that- I wouldn't have it any other way!

Re: Moms of 1... what would you do diff when you have baby #2?

Re: Moms of 1... what would you do diff when you have baby #2?

Well, since DD ( our second child) will be here in a month there are a few things I have thought about I would do differently.
1. I am going to try to really make an attempt at BF. When I am in the hospital I am going to ask for more help and really speak to the lactation woman that I ignored two years ago. I might even bring my own pump with me.

2. I think I will more relaxed this time with the baby since I know what I am in for.

3. Be more prepared with clothing, bottles, formula, if it resorts to that, bathing, solids at 6months, etc.

I wanted to get her in her own crib earlier than four months but, that won't work since we are still in our 2 bedroom cottage.

Re: Moms of 1... what would you do diff when you have baby #2?

I WILL NOT GET A SPINAL!!!!!!!!!! They can knock me out if they have to.

I will find babysitters in the area before having the next baby.

Re: Moms of 1... what would you do diff when you have baby #2?

1. NOT having DH stay in the hospital with me- I was more worried about him being uncomfortable and it affected my sleep.

2. NO visitors in the hospital- I got NO rest with all the comings and goings.

3. I will NOT let anyone talk me into using a nipple shield for BFing.

4. I WILL give her some formula until my milk comes in- it was HELL that first night home because she was so hungry.

5. I will stick with swaddling even though I *think* she doesn't like it- she will eventually love it.

6. I will introduce a bottle much sooner than I did with #1.

Whew..... just 3 more days to go!!!!

Re: Moms of 1... what would you do diff when you have baby #2?

Re: Moms of 1... what would you do diff when you have baby #2?

Re: Moms of 1... what would you do diff when you have baby #2?

ten years later having number 2, these two things were at the top of my list of regrets that i didnt do for my son,...

1) Breastfeed, no matter what it takes.

2) Cord blood banking..

it could save all of us.

everything else, my son was incredible and still is, ill do it all the same ;)

Re: Moms of 1... what would you do diff when you have baby #2?

Id find a way to get DH to lactate so I can catch a break.

Re: Moms of 1... what would you do diff when you have baby #2?

Message edited 11/2/2008 4:37:45 PM.

Re: Moms of 1... what would you do diff when you have baby #2?

def. enjoy being pregnant more. I was so stressed about the changes to my body that I didnt get to enjoy the wonder of growing a baby and now that I see the end result I realize what an awesome experience it really is.

Re: Moms of 1... what would you do diff when you have baby #2?

I am not having a baby until we are living near family. I feel cheated since we didn't have any family near us to visit in the hospital. And I feel my parents are cheated since they never saw DD until she was over a month old and they can't visit as often as they'd like.

And I'm not getting induced unless absolutely medically necessary. I was having contrax at my 40w appt so they sent me in, and a couple hours later, they gave me Pitocin and wouldn't let me out of bed for anything. I did not need that and I wholeheartedly believe it made things worse.

Re: Moms of 1... what would you do diff when you have baby #2?

I will use formula to supplement if I have to and not feel guilty about it.

My MIL is NOT allowed near the baby while coughing- no exceptions. I will NOT except the excuse that she has a lung condition and therefore its not contagious to a baby. Ummm... coughing contains germs- end of story

I probably will do everything else the same- even keeping the baby in our room until about 5 months. After the first two, he/she will sleep in my spare room/office in our bedroom which is easier than going to the front of the house.