Where does the baby go?

[flipflopsonfifthavenue]

DC2 is being induced on Friday and DS is 2.3yo.

In recent weeks whenever am doing something with DS - preparing breakfast, dressing him (or the endless negotiation/battle that this can sometimes be), reading to him, playing on floor with him etc - I've been asking myself "where will the newborn be when am doing this??"

Guess the whole logistics of it all feels so abstract at the moment. I think we have somewhere safe to put the baby down in each room, but I remember with DS I don't think we put him down really for the best part of 6 weeks...! Doubt that'll be very practical with DC2.

What are the logistics really like in those early early days?? DP has three weeks off and DS will be at nursery three days a week.

Thanks for any insight!

[Seeline]

You learn to do everything one handed!
Also have a bouncy chair that you can carry from room to room.
If you are lucky DC2 will sleep for a while in moses basket/crib
You may want to think about a sling. Didn't work for me as DD hated it, but I know it works for some.

[loudarts]

A sling is truly a lifesaver in the first couple of months with a second child. Baby feels like it is being held but you still have 2 hands to see to dc1.

[bunnygirl80]

I have a similar age gap. The baby slept in the pram in the lounge (then she was already loaded up and ready to go if DS and I fancied going to the park) or in the sling, so I had two hands free to play with DS. I also became v skilled at bfing with one hand and playing dinosaurs etc with the other.

If you have a baby that only wants to sleep on you, then a decent sling is the way forwards, at least you have your hands free.

[ThinkIveBeenHacked]

I have a 12 day old and a 2.10yo and we have a Tiny Love 3-in-1 Napper in the Lounge that ds goes into whenever he isnt having a feed or a cuddle. Then we have a crib in the bedroom. Seems to work perfectly so far. Eventually Ill bring out the playmat but dd is a bit of a livewire so no doubt sje will trip over it a few times a day.

[Hatetidyingthehouse]

For me 19 month old is either following me like a shadow or I strap him into his high chair. Baby is generally on his playmat

[fishfingerSarnies]

God I'm dreading this as I also have a young dog in the mix.

[Bolshybookworm]

Same age gap here. For the first few weeks, my DH, DM or DMIL were around, so they half the baby (she was rubbish at going in her chair). Then I got a swinging chair for the kitchen and learned to do a lot of things one handed (I like using the sling when out and about but it annoys me when we're in the house)! I read to DD1 or put cbeebies on whilst doing the long feeds. It will work, honest! Your dc1 will adapt to having to share you and dc2 will get used to being put down more often than your pfb. Expect there to be times when one of them is crying whilst you're sorting the other one out and don't stress about it- it will happen, and they'll live.
My only piece of advice would be to get them out of the house once a day, even just for a little walk- fresh air works wonders, especially if you're sleep deprived!

[Hatetidyingthehouse]

I also have dog, 19 month old and 2 month . In addition to what I've said above, dog gets baby gated upstairs

[kiki0202]

We had a 5 year gap between my niece who I looked after several days a week and DS so bigger gap but the same problem there is only so many times you can tell a 5 year old to wait. I had a swing and play mat and if we were doing something on the floor I crossed my legs into basket put a thin pillow over and lay DS on that if he wanted to be close to me. I think when you have 2 children you don't have the luxury of holding a baby all day so the baby doesn't get used to being held.

I've been looking at a poddlepod for when they next one comes along they have great reviews.

[frankiebuns]

I have 4yo and 12 week old she's either in crib in lounge pram I kitchen or a bouncy chair

[BikeRunSki]

Sling
Mosses basket
Bouncy chair

[dancingwitch]

With DC1, we just had one bouncy chair which lived in the sitting room and I occasionally put her in it. With DC2, we had an upstairs one and a downstairs one and DC2 basically toured around the rooms in them and then, when he got a bit older, we had an upstairs bumbo & a downstairs bumbo. To add a bit more variety into the mix, we also had one of those inflatable ring seat things which the child sits in the middle of. The additional bouncy chair, bumbo & inflatable seat were all leant to me by a friend whose DC are exactly a year older than each of mine & who had gone out & bought the extras when she realised she couldn't carry a toddler, a newborn and a bouncy chair up & down the stairs. When I came home one day to find these things on the doorstep, I think she was mad but quickly appreciated them. I also seemed to wear the sling all day and then just popped DC2 into it whenever necessary.

[IdaClair]

Dc2 in the sling. Had a basket too which would sometimes put dc2 in downstairs in the early days, but it soon stayed upstairs and dc would lay on the sofa next to me instead, or be in sling if we were moving/playing/cooking/going out.

Dc2 also spent a lot of time on the lap of dc1 or otherwise generally being loved on/having toys waved at/ being made into a road mat/ dressing up doll....

[IAmAPaleontologist]

sling or a moses basket on a stand is useful for keeping them out of reach of the toddler. Also useful is teaching the toddlee that bouncing the bouncy chair is the best job ever. This works especially well once baby can smile as toddler then rejoices in getting all the best smiles while keeping baby from screaming as you cook dinner.

[tortoisesarefab]

I had a travel cot with a playmat in it to put the baby on. Can also put the bouncy chair in there if needed.

[Artandco]

15month gap here. We tried to have something in every room.

So bedroom - cot
Living room - sheepskin rug
Kitchen/dining - stokke baby set on high chair
Bathroom - towel on bath mat

[happygelfling]

I have the same age gap between my DCs. I used a sling mostly in the early days/weeks. Also had a Moses basket, bassinet (for pushchair), baby gym, bouncy chair that vibrates and a swing chair. These were all in different rooms, as suggested by a PP.
Now DS IS 10 months and it's much easier (since he started sitting, really), and I have a couple of toys for him in each room instead.
I've also used a bumbo, a jumperoo, high chair, doorway bouncer and a baby nest. Perhaps ask around your friends to see what you can borrow. All our things were either borrowed our bought second hand.
It is challenging to start with but it does get easier!

[Aquilla]

A travel cot works well downstairs too. Then later you can use it as a safe space to play for baby. Also works well as a fort for toddler.

[attheendoftheday]

Dd2 spent about 90% of her early life in a sling while I got on with things for 19 month old dd1.

[TheSkiingGardener]

Sounds like you are sorted. Somewhere safe to put them down in each room and then just muddle through however you can while you work out whether your new baby is a clingy one or a chilled put-me-down-whenever one.

[Levismum]

All of the above!

Sometimes someone will not be seen to & cry. As i remind my household, babies cry! It's a short time but intense. Use the tips from other posters. Personally i found a sling to be the best option.
Good luck!