K.H. asks from Naples, FL on March 27, 2010
Just Found Out I'm Pregnant Again
I guess I should be jumping for joy but I'm very nervous...
My daughter is turning 1 on April 5 and I just took a pregnancy test today and it's positive. No we weren't trying but were talking about trying after the holidays. I was taking my birth control pill everyday and didn't even miss a day this past month. the only thing I can think of is I was on steroids to help cure a rash. I forgot they weeken the birth control. So here I am pregnant again and wondering how hard it is going to be with a 20 month old and a newborn??? Tell me your story if you had your 2nd with a young toddler. How did you manage? What was it like going places?
So What Happened?™
Thank you all so much for the pep talk and being honest. I feel a lot better and I'm just praying this baby will be a better sleeper than our daughter. I guess that is why I am so nervous about the closeness in age. My daughter was an extememly fussy baby. Super gassy and just didn't sleep much. She is almost one and I am still struggling with getting her to sleep through the night. The past 2 weeks she has decided to get up 2-3 times a night and scream bloody murder until I come to her aide. So my concern is that I won't get any sleep with the new baby and be worthless to everyone. I know I will manage and I have tons of family and friends to help out.
My next question is double strollers? What do you love and not love?
Featured Answers
R.H. answers from Tampa on March 28, 2010
I had mine 15 months apart - it was planned - we wanted them to be close and enjoy the same things and they do - we also wanted to do the diaper and sleepless nights phases one after the other so as not to get used to the easy life - it never seemed unmanageable to us - we loved it and wouldn't have had it any other way but I will note that we never really had any problems with either child - I don't know what it would've been like if either was hard to handle.
J.H. answers from Gainesville on March 28, 2010
My first two are 17 months apart. They weren't planned that close together, but in the midst of moving, I had missed taking my pills and got pregnant with my second. I liked having them close together though, and they grew up as great friends (most of the time). People even thought they were twins after a while because their height was pretty close after a couple of years. I think you'll be fine.
M.F. answers from Sarasota on March 27, 2010
My kids are 23 months apart. They are close enough in age to entertain each other, and have since they were about ages 1 and 3. I was exhausted the first few months - but then the routine sets in and all is well. Going places wasn't too difficult when they were both small - I used a baby carrier and a stroller when by youngest was an infant, and then a double stroller when she was a bit bigger. The only real difference with two was the need to plan ahead a bit more and leave a bit earlier when heading places. Having the kids so close in age to each other, I believe, really does make it a little easier on the parents once they are able to play with each other.
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H.B. answers from Iowa City on March 27, 2010
Congrats! I was in a similar spot because my second was born a few months premature. The boys are 21 months apart. Frankly, there's a learning curve, but you'll quickly figure it out. A few pieces of advice:
- stock up on diapers/wipes/TP/paper towels/bulky stuff before #2 arrives. Remember you'll have one in the basket of the grocery cart and one up top, so cart space is at a premium (not to mention that time is ticking until someone needs a diaper change)
- lay out tomorrow's clothes tonight
- I cook 7-10 meals on one of my days off and then freeze. (During their nap today, I made two 1-lb meatloaves, 2 pounds taco meat, 10 chicken breasts, and a stew. Makes dinner during the week much easier.)
- As soon as you can, make nap times the same (sanity saver) - 4 months for us
- As soon as you can, bathe them together - 2 months for us. My husband still hops in the tub w/both every night (youngest is 15 months). While he's doing that, I run around and get PJs for the night and clothes ready for tomorrow
- We never bought the double stroller. As soon as the #2 came home, #1 declared that he was too big for a stroller and insisted on walking. Hence, #1 became the official stroller pusher so that he didn't wander off
Truly, it's such a blessing. My boys are complete opposites of one another. We (fondly) call #1 the pansy; he's always afraid to try anything new, hiding behind my husband's legs, and crying out that #2 is about to get hurt. I haven't completely pegged #2 yet (and I haven't a way to kindly say this), but the child is just a riot and lacks all common sense - he'll try to do absolutely anything. #2 gets #1 to try new things. #2 keeps me on my toes and makes me laugh every time I see him. The interactions between the two are incredibly sweet. I never see one without the other except when #1 declares he needs "his privacy" in the bathroom. Honestly, I can't imagine having them any other way.
2 moms found this helpful
C.C. answers from Dallas on March 27, 2010
Congrats!!! My daughter is 22 months old and my son is 2 months I also have a 4 year old so they are all about the 2 years apart...I LOVE it! They are eachothers best friends....my older two are so sweet together and they adore their baby brother. I think you will do fine! Going places takes a little getting used to but get a good double stroller and it will be fine! Congrats again!!!
T.P. answers from Tampa on March 28, 2010
Congratulations first of all! So, it really depends on the new baby. We had our 2nd daughter when our first was 17 1/2 months old, which we planned sort of :-) Our second was and still is a very mellow baby so the adjustment for us was easy. The most important thing is giving your daughter lots of time and attention and having her help you with the new baby. We gave our oldest a gift from her new sister and vice versa when they met for the first time. We had also tried to prepare her for the new baby so she was excited.
As for going places, etc. it takes longer to get out the door and as with any newborn, it's more challenging because of feedings, etc, but for the most part it's seemed much easier to me and less daunting than going out with my first daughter as an infant, because it was all so new. You'll find that this time, things will seem easier in a lot of ways. Our first daughter was also fairly collicky and fussy where, as I said, our second was a piece of cake.
They are now 14 months and 31 months and have a great time playing together. There are a lot of benefits to having them close together which you'll see. I also felt like my older daughter being a little younger didn't feel like her life was disrupted as much by her new sister. Whereas an older child can remember what life was like before baby and getting all your undivided attention, I don't think she can really remember a life without her sister.
Good luck to you and congratulations again on this wonderful blessing!
K.H. answers from Washington DC on March 27, 2010
I have 3 kids all 2 1/2 years apart , not as close together as yours will be but not to far off. The first few weeks were a bit of a challenge but to be honest it really has not been that bad , you just adapt because you have to , as your child will still only be 20 months you will probably need a double stroller for those times when you are in a mall etc , I didn't bother as the age gap was a little bigger and my eldest (when number 2 came) was really into walking so it wasn't a problem. I have a friend who had her 2nd when her first was 11 months and he wasn't walking , she also coped VERY well and I really admire her because I don't think I could have done that.
Congratulations
S.R. answers from San Francisco on March 27, 2010
The best part is that they are close together in age and will be friends (hopefully) and play together. Your youngest will grow up and hit milestones faster because they want to be like big sister.
It is hard, both will be in diapers. Mine are 23 months apart. I now have just the 1 1/2 yr old in diapers, I can't wait to be done! Our son adjusted pretty well. Make sure you have special time with your daughter throughout the day when the new one is napping. Have things ready at hand so you don't have to stop feeding the newborn. Baby proof the house before the little one comes so your daughter is used to it and can't get into anything while you are feeding the little one.
I think the hardest part was my son wanted to play with this new person but she was to little and didn't move. I let him hold her w/me, we transitioned to the bottle after a month and he would help hold her bottle. He wanted to be a part of things. She is going to be one tough girl, they rough ouse all the time now and she wants to do everything he does. Its so much fun to sit back and watch thme interact together.
You must get a double stroller. They are bulky, we got the Graco DuoGlider. I used it everywhere we went, it makes it easier because you aren't trying to carry/hold 2 kids.
I had to find a new grocery store to shop at. It's 2 miles further from the house so not to bad but the store I went to for years didn't have the kid carts and weren't getting them. While she was in her infant carrier I put her sideways in the open cart area and he was in the kid seat. Once she was out of the carrier is when we changed stores.
Congratulations!
M.F. answers from Sarasota on March 27, 2010
My kids are 23 months apart. They are close enough in age to entertain each other, and have since they were about ages 1 and 3. I was exhausted the first few months - but then the routine sets in and all is well. Going places wasn't too difficult when they were both small - I used a baby carrier and a stroller when by youngest was an infant, and then a double stroller when she was a bit bigger. The only real difference with two was the need to plan ahead a bit more and leave a bit earlier when heading places. Having the kids so close in age to each other, I believe, really does make it a little easier on the parents once they are able to play with each other.
A.H. answers from Boston on March 27, 2010
My kids are 20 months apart exactly, my son is now 4 months old. It was a little challenging at first but I'm going out with the both of them no problem now. Its just a matter of logistics and practice. I plan out every trip however small it is, the timing is about going in between feedings with the baby. He is good because he naps a lot so when I take my daughter to the park he will just sleep in his carseat.
My daughter used to be tough to go anywhere with even alone because she was always running off so I was worried about having two. She is much better now and listens more and lets me hold her hand when we're walking somewhere, then I'm carrying the carseat in the other hand. I can carry both of them if I have to, at least for a short distance. Your arm muscles will get much stronger. If I go to a store I look for the carts with the little car on the front that she can ride in. I also have a double stroller for malls which is perfect.
You will probably find the second baby to be much easier, at least I did. You feel more confident that you know what you're doing and what to expect. And it wasn't that long ago that your first was a baby so you probably have all the gear. You will manage just fine. Enjoy your babies!
A.L. answers from Daytona Beach on March 28, 2010
I had mine a little further apart, but a friend of mine had two about 11 months apart. It's tough with a younger or older toddler. She mostly managed through with patience & good humor. Nervous about a new pregnancy is understandable, but there is some light at the end of the tunnel. Their being so close in age makes them all that much more likely to really connect & be close friends, plus it means that you gets the hard toddler years over that much faster. It's important that you pay even closer attention to your diet with this new pregnancy as your body hasn't completely recovered from the last. No scary problems, but you could get sick easier & more fatigued if you don't get those nutrients & who needs that with a cute 1 year old to chase after? Every motherhood adventure has it's ups & downs. Just take a deep breath & make sure to go catch all the naps you can with your little one.
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