Moms of Toddlers and newborns - do you think it is hard to have a newborn in the winter months with a toddler?

And around the holidays? I am such a planner (even though I know you cannot really plan these things) and I am having such angst over deciding when to have another baby! We are so ready for another child - feel we are prepared but if we start this month the baby would be born in Nov, or Dec. or Jan etc. I'm worried about having to be in the house and DS (who will be just over 2 at the time) - I'm worrying he will suffer socially from it! I'm also worried with the holidays and a newborn of sickness b/c I have a huge family and staying home will not be an option.

OK, the point of all this rambling is - is it really difficult to have a newborn in the winter months (and you are trapped inside since outside activities are not an option) when you have a toddler (2 plus)?

TIA!

Re: Moms of Toddlers and newborns - do you think it is hard to have a newborn in the winter months with a toddler?

i dont have a toddler at home, i have a ten year old, and a newborn..everyone said it would be soooo easy cause hed be able to help out alot with the baby..and he does, BUT, if i had a choice, i wouldve done this in another season..this poor lil is being dragged around at nite to baseball training, religion class, drop offs or pick ups at friends houses..
i think its good for them to be out and about, and dont really buy into the whole "you have to stay in your house and rot for 3 months before you take them out" BUT, sometimes when shes sleeping, and i have to dress her, and get her in the car, and disturb her, to get him somewhere...i feel terrible..

she doesnt seem to mind to be honest..but i mind...
my husband works late from nov-february..so if we have any more, itll NEVER be during this time again..its too much, and id rather be able to leave her with someone at home if need be..
sorry i rambled, hope i answered your question from my point of view anyway lol

that being said..babys are G-ds gift..and He kinda just gives them to us when He wants to :) lol youll figure it out!!

Re: Moms of Toddlers and newborns - do you think it is hard to have a newborn in the winter months with a toddler?

YES!!!! OMG- if I could change anything- I would have had Eliza in the summer. Poor Maddie (my older DD) just wants to get out and it's so hard to go anywhere in the winter. We've been to the mall and I've taken her to MyGym and other play places. The thing is, winter time is when kids get colds- so EVERYTIME we go to the library/MyGym/play areas at the mall Madelyn winds up with a cold- which then gets passed to Eliza.

Eliza has now had 3 colds in her short life (3 months).

I can't wait for the days to be warm again so we can just go to the park and run around.

Re: Moms of Toddlers and newborns - do you think it is hard to have a newborn in the winter months with a toddler?

I had an October baby and have a toddler at home. Yes we were kinda trapped in the house for some really cold days this winter but as long as you have fun crafts and stuff to do it's ok. And as soon as the baby has his/her shots you can do indoor playdates and such. We did ok Having said all of that a summer/spring baby would have been easier!

Message edited 2/13/2009 2:55:08 PM.

Re: Moms of Toddlers and newborns - do you think it is hard to have a newborn in the winter months with a toddler?

We specifically planned TTC around NOT having a winter baby. I was so set on this that I do believe I would have stopped trying during the months that would yield a winter baby. It was rough with just a newborn; I couldn't imagine it with my toddler and a newborn.

Re: Moms of Toddlers and newborns - do you think it is hard to have a newborn in the winter months with a toddler?

My first is an April baby and my second is a July baby. It was just as bad with a mid summer baby I think because you are still kinda cooped up until the evening when the sun isn't so strong. We are planing for #3 and at first I really wanted a fall baby to spread out the birthdays a little but decided to wait and have another spring baby. Mainly because I worried with having 2 kids in nursery school and then a newborn. The last thing I wanted was to get that baby sick.

Re: Moms of Toddlers and newborns - do you think it is hard to have a newborn in the winter months with a toddler?

I don't think it is bad at all!! I was worried about this but we are having a great time. He still goes to school 2 days a week so that helps. We do different things everyday. Painting, making playdough, trains, etc. Alexa sleeps so much so we have plenty of time indoors to do stuff.

When I get to drive next week we will go for drives to Grandmas or just around town. And go for walks, I am just going to bundle them both up. The fresh air is good for them

Re: Moms of Toddlers and newborns - do you think it is hard to have a newborn in the winter months with a toddler?

Re: Moms of Toddlers and newborns - do you think it is hard to have a newborn in the winter months with a toddler?

I had DD#1 in January and DD#2 in April, I def feel that April was so much easier.

Re: Moms of Toddlers and newborns - do you think it is hard to have a newborn in the winter months with a toddler?

No, my son was a January baby and we found loads to do everyday when he was an infant, babygroups, baby cinema, baby massage, I had at least one (if not two) activities and playdates (okay, coffee mornings) almost everyday of the week. And by the time my son was about 5 months old, Spring had sprung and I spent everyday sitting in the park on a picnic blanket with him! Loved it!

I am due in August with this baby and I am worried that I will miss the summer and the nice weather over the first few weeks with the new baby.

Re: Moms of Toddlers and newborns - do you think it is hard to have a newborn in the winter months with a toddler?

Well, I wanted a baby in October...but it really sucks. When I had my first, he was born in June...there was so many things for me to do...getting outdoors, walking, etc. When Nikolas was born in October, I felt trapped....

IF I had another one...and that's a HUGE HUGE IF....I'd have it for the springtime.

Re: Moms of Toddlers and newborns - do you think it is hard to have a newborn in the winter months with a toddler?

Well I know how you think... and you are like me. Honestly, I really didn't want a winter baby - I couldn't imagine being home all day with DD and I knowing you - I think you will be uncomfortable each time you have to go out or have someone hold the baby during flu season. If it was me I would aim for a spring/summer or even early fall baby over a winter one. At least this way you are almost out of flu season (if you go with spring) and can at least take your son to the park or for walks outside so you can get out of the house until you feel comfortable going to places with the baby.

Re: Moms of Toddlers and newborns - do you think it is hard to have a newborn in the winter months with a toddler?

Yes, very hard...we were ALL going crazy!!! I can't wait for spring. My first son was born in May and the timing was great. For #3, I would love a spring baby as well...I think it will make life much easier

ETA: With ds#1, I was at stores early on...with ds#2, there are so many illnesses in the winter, and it's also sooo cold, that I rarely bring him to stores or restaurants...I just took him to the store today and its sooo nice to get out.

Message edited 2/13/2009 4:37:02 PM.

Re: Moms of Toddlers and newborns - do you think it is hard to have a newborn in the winter months with a toddler?

Yes- this is why we are keeping our 2 1/2 year old in daycare/school every day full-time for the first two months & then part-time until the summer (I'm on maternity leave until September). She gets all of the activities & stimulation there and it takes a lot of pressure off of me. I'm looking forward to the summer when we can get outside. Even on the weekends now, I make sure that one day we get out to the kiddie gym (DH takes her, I stay home with the baby) or something like that to burn off some energy. It's hard for her being inside our house all day.

Re: Moms of Toddlers and newborns - do you think it is hard to have a newborn in the winter months with a toddler?

Posted by Lillykat

Well I know how you think... and you are like me. Honestly, I really didn't want a winter baby - I couldn't imagine being home all day with DD and I knowing you - I think you will be uncomfortable each time you have to go out or have someone hold the baby during flu season. If it was me I would aim for a spring/summer or even early fall baby over a winter one. At least this way you are almost out of flu season (if you go with spring) and can at least take your son to the park or for walks outside so you can get out of the house until you feel comfortable going to places with the baby.

Re: Moms of Toddlers and newborns - do you think it is hard to have a newborn in the winter months with a toddler?

Botht of my little guys were born in February but to be honest, I didn't want to leave the house for a couple of weeks. I was really trying to get a groove with the two.

I find it harder this year because DS#2 is a little older but it's a lot to get them super dressed to get out. DS#2's nap time is more scheduled and DS#1 wants out. I think next year will be more challenging.

Re: Moms of Toddlers and newborns - do you think it is hard to have a newborn in the winter months with a toddler?

I had my first in April and had hoped to be due around that time with my second. However, those plans did not work out and I would be happy with a healthy newborn whenever, at this point! It is funny b/c dh and I had always said we did not want a winter baby... but now plans are out of control!

Re: Moms of Toddlers and newborns - do you think it is hard to have a newborn in the winter months with a toddler?

I had my Sofia the week before Christmas and I think its the best time of year..

I was able to be inside for 3mts. Lose the weight and bond with the baby...

Winter worked for me, I want another 2 winter babies!

Re: Moms of Toddlers and newborns - do you think it is hard to have a newborn in the winter months with a toddler?

My first was boprn Dec 5 and my 2nd was June 19 they are 18 months apart. I thought it totally sucked having the summer baby with my toddler. It was really too hot to stay outside and play with my toddler and it was not feasible to keep the baby inside while we went out since I was nursing and he ate around the clock plus it was a pain to have to drag the toddler back in every time I needed to go in for the baby. With a newborn your kinda stuck so Id rather be stuck in the winter. It was also a hassle going from extreme heat to ac all the time. Just my opinion I loved the winter baby. My summer one has hardly been outside and wants to go outside so desperately since hes just starting to become aware. With the winter baby he was all ready to play outside at 7 months and it was perfect weather by then.

Re: Moms of Toddlers and newborns - do you think it is hard to have a newborn in the winter months with a toddler?

Re: Moms of Toddlers and newborns - do you think it is hard to have a newborn in the winter months with a toddler?

My first was end of May and I LOVED that time of year...we were out immediately and I never felt trapped. My second is coming in June and I am happy about this as well. I planned to have spring babies and I am so glad it worked out.

Re: Moms of Toddlers and newborns - do you think it is hard to have a newborn in the winter months with a toddler?

Ooh and another thing I am loving about a winter baby is that I can try and lose a lot of weight before summer time and by the time summer comes around she can go in the pool

Re: Moms of Toddlers and newborns - do you think it is hard to have a newborn in the winter months with a toddler?

yes it was hard. My DS was born 10/24 and I was going stir crazy b/c I was too scared to leave the house. He got his shots...al was good...then he got Bronchiolitis for weeks...Would I do it again...sure...

we want to try again soon...we will likely have another baby same time next year!

Re: Moms of Toddlers and newborns - do you think it is hard to have a newborn in the winter months with a toddler?

My second was born in Oct. I didn't love it only because he got sick twice. My older one would bring home germs from his class that was only one day a week and pass them on to him. I felt so bad that he was sick so little. Bad time of year for kids getting sick.

Re: Moms of Toddlers and newborns - do you think it is hard to have a newborn in the winter months with a toddler?

i had a late June baby. It was hard b/c it was to hot to take my DS out a lot that summer since he was a newborn (I would try go for walks first thing in the morning when it wasn't as hot). We missed out on a lot BBQ's and parties too since we didnt want my DS to be exposed to, a lot of germs (we have big families so it would have been a lot of people there). Plus by the time i healed from the birth, it was already the middle of august.
I would like a winter-spring baby next (dont really have much of choice due to work anyway so it works out good), so that by summer time the new baby is a little older and we don't have to be stuck inside during fun summer months when i know my active toddler will want to be out and about