expecting again?

Bernadette - posted on 09/18/2010

I think that the younger your oldest is when you have another one, the quicker they will adapt. First of all, they don't have as long to get used to being an only child, getting doted on and spoiled, and second, when they are that young it doesn't take long before they forget that there ever was a time when it was just them.

Kathryn - posted on 09/18/2010

Congratulations! My daughter is 17mos and my son is 3mos (13/2 mos apart). I was also worried as to how my daughter would react to her little brother but at 13mos even she had some idea that something was about to happen, she started to suffer some separation anxiety from me etc... but when I came home from hospital with her little brother the first few weeks were pretty crazy and then all of a sudden everything just became perfect. My babies just adore each other, there were a few hits and one bite in the first month but now my daughter is such a little mummy, always holding her brother''s hand and letting me know when he is crying and shhing everyone when he is asleep. There isnt too much u can do to prepare them until they are of an age they can comprehend exactly what your saying. What worked for me was to go with the flow, but every situation is different, and if you get a chance were both are napping, have one yourself! You're going to have so much fun and it goes by so fast! I too was worried about sharing myself with the two, but as long as the love is there that is all that matters! Enjoy and congratulations again!

Holly - posted on 09/16/2010

My little girl was 17 months when my son was born. She was nothing but hugs and kisses for 10 months (til he started getting into her toys:) Just give her lots of responsibility (putting diapers in the diaper genie, putting his bottle in the sink, making him smile, etc) She'll love the attention she gets when she helps out! Also, make sure to set aside time for you 2. Even if it's just grocery shopping, my daughter LOVED feeling special that way :) Good luck!

Missy - posted on 09/16/2010

"OMG O_O its been terrible I have a little girl and im pregnant with a boy and shes been ALL OVER ME and wont leave me alone!! she wants me to pick her up all the time and she cries constantly.....with the new baby I have no clue what do and how im ganna give attention to two babys now cuz i dont want my little girl to be jealous I need some advice my due date is Nov.29.2010"
So, I don't really have advice because I didn't really have a chance to have my oldest around during much of the pregnancy. But I really know how it is. Before I even knew that I was pregnant, my oldest's attitude completely changed. He wanted to always have mommy around or grandma, he wouldn't settle for anyone else. If he didn't want mom around he would just kick and scream and push me away and wouldn't let me feed him or change his diaper or anything! It wasn't fun. The further along I got (this also had part to do with the fact that I couldn't be there very often), the more he calmed down and his grandma sat him down and talked to him every 2 weeks about mommy having another baby. He calmed down quite a bit. You'd be surprised how it will come to you to be able to spend time with both kiddos. The newborn naps a lot, usually, so that extra time you can spend with your oldest... Also if you incorporate the oldest into helping with the baby, it helps a lot, because your oldest is still getting attention and helping you with the little one. Eventually she'll understand, it's just going to take some time. I was freaking out too. My oldest is home with me now all the time and he loves helping his little brother because he's getting a lot of praise and he gives a lot of hugs and sometimes tries to smother his little brother with a lot of love. Don't stress out too bad, trust me, things will be alright. You really will figure out a way to give attention to both of your children. Another fine thing to do is when you're holding the baby, let your daughter sit in your lap and when you're not feeding the baby or anything, read a story to both of them and keep letting her know that u still love her just as much.

Holly - posted on 09/15/2010

I'm expecting again - due Thanksgiving! We had our 1st 2 kids 17 months apart, so this is nothing new to us. My son will be 19 months old when this next blessing arrives! With our daughter, we bought her a boy doll and called it by our son's same. Sounds freaky, but she got used to having a baby named Brooks in the house! She adjusted VERY well when he arrived. As for this time, our son, Brooks, has NO idea what's coming. He's just not as into my pregnancy as my daughter was. I think he's going to be shocked to say the least, but I just don't think there's much we can do to prepare him. We talk about babies when we come across one in a book or on TV. We have other friends with babies, so we spend time with them and explain to him (over and over) that we'll have a baby in a few months. I'm not sure how much he's taking in since he's not really saying a lot yet. We'll see!! Good luck!

Holly - posted on 09/15/2010

My twins were 13 months old when their little sister was born. At this age, there's really no way to fully prepare them for the new arrival. We did buy little baby dolls for the twins and encouraged them to be gentle and loving with their "babies".

Connie - posted on 09/15/2010

We are expecting our second child in January. Because our little ones are still so very young, I don't think they would understand too much of what is going on. What I've been doing is showing my belly to my son and telling him that his baby is inside. I tell him to kiss the baby, but I think he thinks my belly button is the baby.
When the baby does arrive, I plan to have them exchange gifts. A gift for the new baby sister, and a gift to her new big brother.
Oh, I'm also going to practice a lot of soft and gentle touches. Luckily, we have a dog to help with that. LOL!

Missy - posted on 09/14/2010

I am not expecting again, but I just had a new baby boy in August. The big brother doesn't know what to think. He's a bully but at the same time, he's loving to him and tries to help him. He just turned 17 months old yesterday. He hasn't had much of a heads up about the situation because for the past 16 months, he's been in social services and staying with my dad. But he is really awesome when he's around his little brother. He has had tons of exposure to other kids his age, but he's not used to someone so much smaller than him.

Justine - posted on 09/13/2010

I'm expecting number 2 at the end of the year. A few months ago we bought some new baby picture books to look through with our 17 month old son. He has no idea. Sometimes he'll point to my belly and say baby, but other times when I ask him "where is the baby?" He points to himself. :) As far as preparing him, I don't think there's much to do....just prepare ourselves for the change when the baby comes. But I am pacing myself with the room changes. The boys will be sharing a room, so in about a month I'll be getting our son a toddler bed, whether he uses it or not, and start rearranging the room a bit to accomodate. Not to force him to grow up necessarily, the baby will be sleeping in our room at the beginning, but to let him get used to each change slowly. It'll give him an opportunity to get comfortable with space changes before his brother comes. Same goes for the pacifier. Right now he only uses it to sleep, but I won't ween him entirely from it until well after the baby comes. He's gonna need his own form of soothing so I won't be taking that away until things calm down. Someone asked me if I was going to try to potty-train him before the baby comes and I looked at them like they were insane. My son will be 20 months when his brother comes there's no way I'm going to attempt that nightmare that early.
Good luck! We're both in for an adventure! :)

Saadia - posted on 09/13/2010

We are so excited... Im 10 weeks and so happy about this pregnancy BUT morning sickness seems to be an all day thing.

Margaret - posted on 09/12/2010

Our daughter is 17 months old. She does not really understand yet there is a new baby coming. I am 7 months pregnant with our second. I will point to my belly and say, "Baby." Our daughter then points to her belly and says, "Baby!". The good thing is she is at a sitter who has recently had a baby start at her home. Our daughter was very jealous, but now she seems to love the baby. We are just trying not to change too many things for her.

Bernadette - posted on 09/12/2010

my 17 month old doesn't really understand that we're having another baby. I tell her that there is one in Mummy's tummy, but she just thinks it's a game. This morning I told her again that there is a baby in mummy's tummy. She said "where" and I pointed and said "in there". She said "in the pocket?" and proceeded to look in various places as this is a game we often play. We hide things and ask her where they are, and even though she sees where we put it, she will play the game anyway, and look in pockets, under her shirt, under the bed sheets, etc. So to her it was just part of the game and she was looking for a baby (in her mind, probably a doll as she calls them babies) in my pocket. I don't really have a bump yet though, so there is nothing for her to see, and she really doesn't comprehend.

Marya - posted on 09/11/2010

I am due the end of Nov. But they are suspecting that I wont go past the 13th. It is another girl and my 16mo old daughter is cery curious of my tummy. And any time I am holding a baby she is right up ther next to us, letting me know she is still there.

Bobbie - posted on 09/11/2010

I'm 5 months pregnant with my 2nd. I haven't mentioned the pregnancy to my 17 mo. old daughter. She has just recently started to imitate words, and while she may understand small concepts like when I tell her we're going "bye-bye" I don't think she would understand at all that a baby is on the way. I plan on buying some baby books to prepare her about a month before the baby is here. I read that since toddlers this young don't have a very good concept of time, there's no need to really prepare them very early. I'm also taking the advice of not making ANY major changes close to my due date such as starting potty training or switching to a toddler bed. I think it's a good idea to maintain as regular routine as possible to help your toddler adjust.

Lee - posted on 09/10/2010

I'm having another one in 7 weeks. My son is 16 mths old, he knows my stomach is a different shape and is quite keen on touching it. We talk about the bubba but he has no idea really. Hasn't affected him in any way yet. I expect he will hate her when she arrives home because she is taking up some of his time but will love her in no time at all. Don't expect it to be easy though but I wanted an 18 mth gap and I'm about to get it.

Shawna - posted on 09/10/2010

OMG O_O its been terrible I have a little girl and im pregnant with a boy and shes been ALL OVER ME and wont leave me alone!! she wants me to pick her up all the time and she cries constantly.....with the new baby I have no clue what do and how im ganna give attention to two babys now cuz i dont want my little girl to be jealous I need some advice my due date is Nov.29.2010

Sue - posted on 09/10/2010

I'm 5 months pregnant and told my 16 month old son there is a baby in my belly. He now thinks that there is a baby in everyone's belly, including his own. Think he'll be fine with the baby, as he's good with younger babies and will happily play with them and share his toys.

Brittany - posted on 09/10/2010

I'm expecting number 3 which at first I was not thrilled about because I felt it was too soon but actually I think its going to be good. My oldest Zach is 4 and has said he wanted another sister from the begining and my 16 month old daughter has no clue but she is a little braty with me and we just found out yesterday that we are having a little girl and I figured out yesterday that the only reason my wants a sister is so the girls can play with each other and he can be left alone... I think my daughter will gradually understand it as she gets older well at least I hope...Good luck to you

Shahbeila - posted on 09/10/2010

My daughters are 19 months apart and we are expecting our 3rd. There was no jealousy when our 2nd was born, I just had to be really careful because my oldest is really affectionate and would "smother" the baby with hugs and kisses. They play so well together and are the best of friends. My 2nd is a total mommy's girl, so I am a bit worried about how she'll be when the new baby arrives, but it'll work out like it always does.

Joanna - posted on 09/09/2010

I"m expecting and I have a 16 mo old. I'm only 4 months along, so I'm barely even showing. Dad has been very vocal about him being a big brother and that I have a baby in my belly. I figured as I start showing a bit more and as the months go he'll start understanding more so I'll start talking about it more and maybe get that book someone mentioned. maybe even a doll to mimic me with the baby since he does love mimicing me and helping me (ex. using a broom and making a vacuum noise and pretending ot vacuum while I"m vaccuuming.)

Nicole - posted on 09/09/2010

Our son has a baby doll that he loves. We read books with the baby and Mommy holds the baby and we explain that Mommy has room on her lap for both of them. We point out babies all the time. When we hear a baby cry we tell him the baby needs love or to eat so that he gets used to hearing that. He had no clue what's about to happen, all you can do is prepare them on an age appropriate level and not expect too much. They will still be babies when the new one arrives and we do not way to force our son to grow up top fast in any way.

Jes - posted on 09/09/2010

I'm not expecting again, but my kids are 18 months apart. I gave my daughter her own baby and explained that mommy was getting a baby soon too. I also watched a lot of discovery health's baby programs so she got 'use to' a baby crying, etc. Sure there was some jelousy and sharing issues, but today she loves her brother very much.

COURTNEY - posted on 09/07/2010

my daughter was born on April 8 2009 and my son was born february 8 2010 YES they are ten months exactly apart. I was worried about having another baby When i found out I was Pregnant with my son because i was a new mommy to a beautiful little girl and i couldnt imagine any of the attention being taken off of her, however when her brother arrived she was excited to see a baby when she first net him! She started crawling at ten monthes the day we brought brother home from the hospital so she went through that first stage of wanting independence wich was hard for me, but at the same time it kept her focused on being busy and crawling rather than wanting to be with mommy and wandering why she had a baby. of course we did have those moment when it was snuggle time and i was lucky if daddy was around because she is a daddys girl and loves snugglling with daddy! Anyways to make a long story short now that i have a 7 and a seventeen month old they love playing together my daughter plays peek a boo with my son and cracks him up they keep eachothervery busy and happy!!!!! So dont worry i know every situation is different but i am sure your babies will be very happy to share a loving mommy and daddy!

Justice - posted on 09/05/2010

My son get really clingy at times.

Bianka - posted on 09/05/2010

Yes I am expecting my 3rd & my 17mth old has no concept.. My 3 year old however does but is not interested! I will explain with "bringing new baby home" picture book everyday when I have 3 weeks left till im due.. Im having an early december baby :)

Nora - posted on 09/04/2010

i ma also 5 months pregnant and have a 16 month old girl but she has no clue at the moment that there is a baby in my belly. i dont know how she will react to her new brother when he arrives in January

LauraBeth - posted on 09/02/2010

We are expecting our new arrival any day now, for the past 3 mo we put up her swing and crib changeing table etc. so he could get use to seeing it all up, but I still feel like he is in for a big surprise when she gets here. He has not been around any children his age or younger. I stay at home with him, the other day we were in a store and a newborn was crying and it freaked him out so I am alittle nervous.