Pregnant Again, I Have a 7 1/2 Month Old!

Hi R.,

I agree, take a breath! My kids are 18 months apart & I was definitely nervous at first. Then once it all sank in I went through a period of feeling really guilty that I wasn't able to give my son (older) as much alone time as I had intended. I shouldn't have worried, it was all ok. Yes, the beginning will be a little rough until you get into the swing of things, but look at it this way--you're still used to changing diapers & packing a bag everywhere you go & all the other million little things you do now without thinking about it. I think it would be harder to re-adjust to all of that once you haven't had to do it for a while. Also, as far as nursing goes, you'll be fine to continue with your daughter. I'm not sure how your ped will have you wean her if at all, so talk to them about tips. I can't help you with your creative process though, I'm a blurter as in,"Ready or not, here comes another one!" Try not to freak out, you're going to be so happy later on that you have built-in playmates, trust me! Good luck!

Melissa

Yeah, how bout "I'm pregnant, pass the peas" - LOL Just a little joke to try to get you to unwine.

I know the feeling I my children are 14 months apart and I thought I was gonna just die. My cousin had 2 of her children 9 or 10 months apart. And I have another cousin who has 8 children and the last 5 are stair steps.

I didn't even know I was pregnant. I was visiting my grandmother and was helping her in the kitchen. My uncle walked in to get something to drink and did a double take at me. I asked him whats up and he said "another one so soon". Of course I didn't know what he was talking bout, then my grandmother said to my uncle " I was waiting to see how long it would be before she said something". I STILL had no idea what everyone was talking bout, then my uncle asked me if I was pregnant and I said no. When I got home and took the test I was. So - LOL - I understand your shock.

You will be just find. It's meant for some people to have kids close and for others far apart. As far as feeding, you might wanta put her on a bottle. Because I'm sure you are already a little soar from her nursing, being pregnant your going to just be way to tender to do it. Personally I stop feeding after 3 months for both my children and their weight and growth was just fine.

Also, as they get older they become playmates for each other, they also help each other to grow and develop which will help you out a lot. Take for example, my son was walking by time my daughter was born so because she wanted to keep up with him she started moving around, by 4 months she was walking straight in her walker, by 6 months she was walking and running without any help. My husband and I didn't really have to teach our daughter to much because our son did everything. Even now at 6 and 7 he helps her with her homework and is trying to help her to read.

I know is seems overwhelming for you right now, but it will work out in the end you'll see.

Hope this helps,

P..

This happened to me twice. Both of my girls stopped nursing when I became pregnant with the next one. I've read that the hormones that your body are producing change the breast milk and it's not uncommon for babies to refuse the breast. Both my girls did and I had no problem switching them to bottle and formula. Good Luck!

R.,
I very recently went through the same thing! I was just feeling icky and bought a test and took it (while my husband was there). POSITIVE! I totally freaked out big time and he was laughing. I yelled "how can you laugh, do you know how serious this is??" I was worried about my 8 month old and weaning him, he was not even sleeping through the night yet or walking! My husband said "We can do it because we already know what to do!" His being so calm and cool about the situation really made me accept it more. I was 4 months along before I found out!!! I am due now in less than 4 weeks and can't wait! It was the shortest and easiest pregnancy. Just wean your little one now so there is no tandum breastfeeding. It should be easy to do now because he should be experiencing new foods and sippy cups. Good Luck and let your hubby know in person after baby is asleep . I'd just put the test in his lap and say nothing and wait for his reaction. It is kind of a fun way to watch him put two and two together and see is reaction. Ask me if you need any advice. BTW, my sons will be 17 mos apart.

Yep take a breath you'll do fine!!

1) As far as the nursing goes. You should be fine to nurse long as you don't have a history of miscarriiage. Then you might want to consult you OBGYN. Your little girl may refuse to nurse once your milk really starts changing, but just like any other time she may have went on a nursing strike, just keep offering she'll eventually eat again. Like someone else mentioned make sure you eat TONS of healthy extra calories!!

2) Having them so close I think is wonderful!! Mine are less then 14 months apart. You'll get done with diapers sooner. Done with the spit up rags. Done with all that stuff sooner!! The babies are a little bit hard to handle at first, but you'll find your own method for doing everything! The thing that worked for me the most was having a general schedule. Not nessesarily by time but by activities! I still make sure I do that and they're 2 and 3!!
The other thing I would suggest is spend the good money on a good carrier or sling. It will turn out to be your lifesaver with two that little!! Try it out make sure you'll be able to wear one baby and carry the other.

3) Now telling is the fun part!! You can do the t-shirt or bib thing that says 'I'm The Big Sister'. You yourself can wear a shirt that says many different things about being pregnant (check out cafepress.com).
There's actually websites out there just for this purpose! There are tons of good ideas on them!!

I know exactly how you are feeling. My youngest two are 15 months apart. I found out that I was pregnant again when my daughter was 6 1/2 months. I now have a son who is 6 months and she is 21 months. It can be trying and tiresome at time but I wouldn't trade it for anything. I have to older children that are 4 years apart, with the oldest being 10 years old. They fight really bad, I've noticed with the younger two that my daughter is loving for the most part towards her brother. As for telling the husband, I just kind of said " You aren't going to believe this" then showed him the test stick. I would just say to make sure you can get plenty of help so you may rest once in a while in the beginning. After some time you really do get into a routine and it's no big deal. Good Luck,Congrats and keep me updated.

Little about me, mother of four, ages 10, 6, 21 months and 6 months.

Hi R.. I had two children 16 months apart (we planned it that way- crazy huh?). It really isn't that bad. By far the worst part was carrying an infant in a car seat and having to prop/pull/walk a toddler that was barely walking. We are now past that point (2 and 3 1/2) and all three of my kids are the best of friends. Good luck but really- it's not that big of a deal. Oh yeah, my sister had 2 boys in one year- one in jan and one in dec-easy as pie:)

Hi R.. Sit back, take a deep breath - it is going to be great. I have two girls that are 15 months apart. You will adjust a lot faster than you realize. That first couple weeks after the baby is born may seem a bit crazy but you will fall into your own pattern. Before you know it you won't remember the days of only 1. I don't think that your daughter is going to reject your nursing. I have found that the children become very interested in mommy's belly and the "baby". Best of luck to you and CONGRATULATIONS!

My two youngest children are 13 months apart. We thought that since I was nursing and had not had a period that we were somewhat safe. We wanted another child, but we thought it would take a while. We were wrong. The boys are now 17 months & 4 months old and I promise...it's not that bad. When I was pregnant with Braedy I was scared to death about how I was going to handle the two so close in age, but it just works. We have bad days, I call those my birth control days, but most days are okay. They are both such cuties that I just feel blessed to have them.

I was nursing my oldest when I was pregant but I lost my milk when he was 9-1/2 months old. That was gut-wrenching & a very difficult ordeal for both me and my son. If you want to continue nursing be sure to EAT & eat healthy calories. A woman has consume a large amount of calories to be able to support the growing baby and the nursing (which consumes 500 calories a day).

Good luck & don't worry - you can do it!!

Hi R.,

Congratulations on your baby...and your new pregnancy! I just wanted to recommend the message boards at mothering.com (http://www.mothering.com/discussions/forumdisplay.php?f=23) for LOADS and OODLES of information on breastfeeding while pregnant. I haven't needed this information yet, but will use it when I get pregnant again :)

Also, I'm pretty sure that the book by La Leche League, "Mothering Your Nursing Toddler," discusses nursing while pregnant (and tandem nursing). Are you a member of La Leche League? Or have you attended any of your local LLL chapter's meetings (you don't have to be a member of LLL to attend)? Usually there are at least a couple women who can give you some advice.

Good luck!

I took a white onesie and some shirt paint, and had my oldest son wear it. It said, "I'm gonna be a Big Brother!"

My son's are 18 months apart. The first six months are really hard, but it gets really good, really fast. When your oldest starts crackin' your youngest up in the car, and they start having their own little games... you realize how wonderful life gets.
And my oldest did stop nursing when I got pregnant, but it was really more of he could take it or leave it. It wasn't quite rejection. I decided to let him leave it since he was just over a year old and gaining independence.

Hi R.,

I am with you right there I have all the ladies beat mine are 10 months are apart. My little on just turned 7months and the other 17 months. You will go crazy and it will be rough for the first few months. It i slike having twins. Now with everyone on a routine it is gotten a lot easier. I just walked up to my hubby and show him the stick and told him jokingly that he needed to get a vacsectmy. Since you are technically still healing from the first one. Everything will come on fast and double it. I was swollen and heart burn like you would no believe. Your stomach will be very sore after having the new little one. Just think how close everyone will be.

I was a nanny for a family whose sons are 11 months apart (they were supposed to be 13 months apart but the second decided to come early). I agree with what the other person said, the first couple weeks will be rough. Take any and all the help you are offered. Once you are recovered and can set into a routine with the babies things will get easier.

There are benefits to the children being so close in age. For one, the older one will never remember a time that there wasn't a sibbling (unlike me, I was 5 when my sister was born...and I wasn't happy about it). They will be able to share toys and if they are the same sex, they will be able to share clothes! With any luck, they will be best friends!

Also, look at it like this, many couples have a hard time finding that "spark" so quickly after having a baby. You obviously have that spark which shows you have a solid, strong and lasting relationship.

As far as telling him, can you buy a shirt or bib for your daughter that says "Big Sister"? Put it on her when he comes home and see if he figures it out. (I think Babies R Us has them on their website)

Good Luck with everything and Please Keep Me Posted!