**OK. My 1st day alone with 14mo & 3wko. Will I survive?**

[2Babies0Bumps]

Dh has gone to work today after 3 weeks Paternity leave and left me alone with Ds1- 14 months and Ds2- 3 weeks.
Ds2 is still currently asleep and the other is eating cheese in his highchair.
What happens when Ds2 wakes up?!
For the 3 weeks, Dh has looked after Ds1 (for the first time ever may I add. He can do it!) with me just grabbing the occaisional hug/few minutes of quality time with him. Dh has even got him into a bedtime routine! He goes down good as gold in 5 mins!
I am trying to bf Ds2 and when he wakes up and wants it is when I know Ds1 is going to kick off....

[throckenholt]

yep - you will cope.

DS2 can be left more than you think. DS1 can do more things on his own than you think - just make sure you have stair gates in place and he is in a safe room.

Have fun !

[jessicaandrebeccasmummy]

and breathe!

You will be ok. I had a 15 month age gap, and Jess had to learn that baby needed feeding and mummy would play with her once Becky had settled.

I also found a box of toys especially for feeding times a god-send. OK so I didnt BF, but it was still handy to have something to distract her with.

Go for a walk - a long one - regardless of weather! It gives you time out and the boys will probably sleep the whole time.

Make plans for the week - toddler groups/visit friends or family. All will help release the tension a bit.

Most of all - MN - its a god-send!

[milward]

can you bf & move around at the same time. bf with your ds in your arms & you'll be able to look affter your ds1 - bf has helped me look after my other kids at same time as having a little one . best wishes xxx

[2Babies0Bumps]

j&rsmummy- i intend to have the pc fired up all day!!

[mumatuks]

Of course you can do it, don't even question yourself!!

If its all getting too much, put them in the pram / buggy /babysling and go on a walk!
(if it's any consolation I have two boys, soon to be three , so I'm speaking from experience!)

[spykid]

It will all slot into place!

I have a 22 mnth gap between ds's and I remember feeling exactly the same when dh went back to work.

Get dressed before you wake ds1,be ready for him!

A swinging chair was a god send for me during mealtimes.

Get out with the pram...fresh air makes everything feel better.

When ds2 naps, try and get ds1 to have one too. Unplug the phone and put your head down. It makes such a difference.

Remember, everything else but you and your kids can wait. Enjoy it!

[2Babies0Bumps]

thanks.
any more practical tips ladies? im making mental notes.

[mumatuks]

When you sit down to bf ds2, have a couple of story books for DS1 next to you, then if he gets jealous* or upset you can invite him up to sit with you and read / look at a book.

*BTW don't take that the wrong way, I'm not saying your son is jealous, I'm just thinking of the age he's at, jealousy is the norm. (my DS2 is just a month older and got jealous when I picked the cat up the other day!!)

[sandyballs]

Ahh, enjoy it, I feel quite misty eyed when I think back to when mine were that tiny. Probably rose tinted glasses though, it was probably hell .

[chocolateshoes]

Good luck - DS is 15mths & that is enough for me so I really do admire you!

[foxtrottingtotransylvania]

You'll be fine (i have 13 months and 15months between my 3 LOs). I would say - look after yourself. If you can, have a shower/get dressed before your DH goes to work. When my DH made his packed lunch he'd leave me one in the fridge too, so i could munch whilst BF. Don't be afraid to use cbeebies or videos to keep ds1 occupied for half an hour. And if you can get through the day with everyone well-fed and happy, congratulate yourself on being a great mum! That's your job at the moment, housework is not!! Can you DH cook you both dinner when he gets home, or look after the LOs while you do it, just for a change of scene?

[mistypeaks]

You can (AND WILL) do it. I have a 13 month gap between my angels. It was tough at first. You just have to learn to take them in turns - If you always run to youngest when he crys eldest gets jealous if you do it vice versa young one just gets more and more worked up!!! You have to try and take it in turns at moments like this. Just make sure you have things to hand that you will need. The arm of my sofa was constantly covered in muslins, bibs, spare drink for eldest for if I was feeding baby etc. It is a help. A bouncy chair to soothe & entertain baby is useful for when you're entertaining eldest. Expect eldest to 'regress' for a little while - perfectly normal & as long as you don't make a big deal out of it - doesn't last long. Eldest has now taken a big turn for the better after 11 weeks. She adores her baby sister and fetches nappies, wipes, bottles etc over to me to help (even if I don't need them!!) She gets told shes being a good girl so often these days she actually is being!!! (usually!).
Good luck, take a deep breath and believe in yourself you've got the support of us all.

[2Babies0Bumps]

thanks....
so nice to read that as ds1 slams tinky winkys head against patio door repeatedly and dog honks up on the carpet...
at least ds2 is asleep atm.

we have managed a morning kip all 3 of us and a trip to shops in buggy so not too bad- not tearing my hair out yet.

[mistypeaks]

Hope yesterday went ok and that you have a good day today.

[foxtrottingtotransylvania]

Hey 2babies how's it going today?

[PizPizPiz]

well, did you survive ?!

[shhhh]

2babies how are you..?? BTW i CATtted you last week and still awaiting a reply..! Desperate to hear what you had to tell me..although you have prob forgotten now . Congrats on the birth of Noah BTW (think that was his name...) Hope you are coping on day 3....

[shhhh]

Ooopss I meant day 2..I seemed to have gained a day there.!