New to Group - Anyone else pregnant or have two children close in age?

Brandy - posted on 04/27/2009

i think it will be a good thing all my kids are close in age and there realy close its fun enjoy

Sandra - posted on 04/26/2009

my girls are sixteen months apart, and my oldest FREAKED out at first :) she cried if i was not near her. but after a few days, she would wake up asking where her sister was, and she has been the best big sister ever since! she is contstanly bringing you the burp cloth or the pacifer or a bottle. and if she hears the baby crying before i do, she will come and tell me "sis, sis!" and my little one just smiles at her big sister like she's the best thing in the world...which is expected i guess since she heard her voice prob more than mine while in the womb!!

Jessica - posted on 04/22/2009

I Kristen. I am currently 27 weeks so my kids will be 21 months apart. I know exactly what you are going through, it wasn't till recently that I even started preparing for the new one to arrive. I have tried as much as I can to get my son to realize a baby is coming but right now he just thinks a baby is my belly button. I have a friend who's kids are 18 months apart and she has her days were it's very hard but she still say's it's rewarding. I think for the most part I am starting to feel guilt for my son because he will no longer be the only child (I think it's because I was raised as an only child so to have a sibling around all the time is not a concept I grew up with). I'm sure though it will benefit him in th long run to have a sibling so close in age. GL to you!

Sharen - posted on 04/22/2009

The best thing you can do is include your 18 month old in evrything you do with the baby. if you are feeding the baby and the little green monster rears it's head. Try to juggle having them both on your lap or having her sit close by with your arm around her too. . this way your 18month old will still fell a part of you and will not feel like she is not loved any more. yu will be just fine.

I have a 21 year old and 12 year old 10yrs old 18 month old and am now 4 months pregnant again, I have been a stay at home mum for my last child. so am having the same thoughts as you, evern though I have done it before. Because it has just been me and her at home during the day, she will not like the fact that she will ahve to share me with a new baby. But we will deal with the problems as they arise. I am sure you will do the same thing.

Denice - posted on 04/20/2009

I have a daughter and a son that are 18 months apart, and i love it because they are able to play and watch the samethings and not fight because they like for the most part the same shows. they get along really well. it hectic somedays but youll get through it.

Opal - posted on 04/17/2009

Hey my name is Opal and i have 2 wee girls that are 11 months and 3 weeks apart. Shakana was born 5 Sep 2007 and Jaliah on 28 Aug 2008. At first it can be hard but u get into a routine and get used to it pretty quickly. At the start Shakana wanted lots more attention and got jealous alot when I was holding or feeding Jaliah. I would just make sure that me and shakana would have our own special time together when Jaliah was sleeping . Now she is great and wants to help out with things and loves being around her little sister, she still has her bad days were she wants everythign that Jaliah has but most the time they play nicely together and Shakana can get protective of her when other kids are around its quite cute. The main advise that i have is just take each day one step at a time, and dont be to hard on urself when times are tough dont be afraid to ask for help when u need it. Its awsome having 2 litttle ones and so rewarding watching them interact and grow together.

Kimberly - posted on 04/15/2009

I have 2 girls that are 14 months apart and my youngest daughter and new son are 18 months apart. It is tough at times but it is great! My oldest loved having a little sister. The girls now have the best time with their little brother. You can't stick to a schedule because they change so much. You get use to it rather quickly. I was so worried at first, but it wasn't that bad. My husband is a pilot so I was also stuck with them by myself.

Melissa - posted on 04/15/2009

I have 4. My first was scary but I babysat my cousins kids (who were the biggest monsters out there) but I loved them to death. I had practice with scary kids. My second was a breeze. You did it already and it will happen again. It will be hard at first because you are trying to juggle 2 kids. That's why women have the kids. We can multi task easier. My third one I was scared to death. But after I had her it was so easy. Get your child a baby doll. Let them help you with the baby as much as possible that way they don't feel left out. Hope this helped

Hayley - posted on 04/08/2009

my daughter is 18.5 months old and my son is 3.5weeks old so i know how you feel, i was stressing what it was going to be like having them so close together but it really isnt as bad as i was expecting! my daughter has taken a backwards step with sleeping as she was sleeping right through but now she is getting up once a night again although this could be due to weather change as its freezing here! the only problems i had were my daughter getting jealous when i fed the new baby but if she had toys to play with and as long as she had something to eat and drink she was fine. also keep books handy when your feeding so you can still interact with the older child.she also had a bit of a stage where if the newborn was crying she would cry to and generally it would become a tantrum. but its been 3.5weeks and she is fine now even enjoys playing with the baby and helping change nappies!

Kelsey - posted on 04/08/2009

MY first was born on September 18, 2007 and my second was bornFebruary 9, 2009 so they are only 16 months apart. It does have it's difficult times. One thing I have found that really helps is having a set daily schedule becuase then my older child knows what is going on and there is a lot less temper tantrums. It is a lot of fun just don't expect to get a lot of sleep for at least a couple of months.

Kamilla - posted on 04/04/2009

Its all about routine and then throwing that routine out the window! Just go with the flow... it's only as hard as you let it be. I have 3 Nate John and Zoe. Nate is 4 but developmentally 2.5, john is 2.5 and Zoe is 18 months. It can be done and it is nothing to lose sleep over. Trust me... it'll be fine!

Rianna - posted on 04/04/2009

hey there,well what can i say  its the best thing i could have done.my two are 11months apart.my boy was born 20 september 2007 and my girl 21 august 2008 and they are soo close. they love playing together at the moment as my girl is at the stage of sitting up by herself and playing with every toy she can grab and my boy is very protective of her always giving her hugs!.it is hard work,dont get me wrong i do have some sleapless nights,but once u get yourself into a routine its ok.dont worry dear u will be fine.....

Michelle - posted on 03/25/2009

I'm 15 weeks pregnant and my daughter will be two when no 2 arrives. I am having lots of feelings of guilt about how much change she is going to have to get used to and about not having as much energy and time for her now. I have some friends who are on their 3rd and 4th - been there done that - and they have all been very positive that although having a toddler and a baby is hard work it does not harm them emotionally and does lead them to be very close as they grow up - having your best friend always around. here's hoping! let me know if you get any good tips - like how to bath both, feed both and generally cope!

Kamilla - posted on 03/24/2009

It is a blessing and it will also put you on the verge of tears but they will be close. My sister and I are 19 months apart. She is my best friend! We fought a lot growing up but I always had someone to play with! My son John and my daughter Zoe are 12 months and 4 days apart (yeah... birth control didn't help me! ) They fight and bicker over toys but they look out for eachother... the bond they have is so strong. Just be prepared for some backward movement from your older child and some potential jealousy... I found the best way to deal with this is to make special Johnny time. Every night I read to him... just he and I so that he knew that Zoe wasn't replacing him. It is a tradition that still happens today. Letting John "help" with the baby by holding the diaper while I was changing her or helping to tuck her in at night  I think also helped.

don't be too nervous... it is wonderful!