So why is it that 99% of all parenting advice (I'm thinking the baby-stage here) is only of any use at all when it's your first?

[MrsTittleMouse]

Sleep when they sleep...
When they have a growth spurt, just latch them on and watch TV for hours...
I could you on - what are you supposed to do when you have a toddler too, who needs attention?

[ledodgy]

I know it is very hard when you've got one or two already. Looking back to when dd was a baby it was gloriously easy and lovely.

[MatNanPlus]

A sling

New dvd's

Lots of Granny visits?

[MrsTittleMouse]

I have to admit that I'm starting to see the attraction in waiting until the eldest is in school (even though that would never have worked for us). I've tried baby-wearing, but DD1 gets extremely jealous (even though she's actually coping very well most of the time), so it's not worth it. DD2 is happy and content being carried but DD1 is a screaming loony shouting "up to Mummy" on a loop. The other state in this house is DD2 in the cot screaming for attention, and DD1 happy as Larry playing with Mummy. We flip between the two.

I've just had a bad week this week, so I'm sure that I'll be much more enthusiastic soon.

[ledodgy]

How old is your baby?

[MrsTittleMouse]

7 weeks.
She's a bit more content than her big sister, but that isn't really saying much. Pretty much any baby would be more content than DD1!

[MatNanPlus]

baby wear you dd1 on the back and snuggle the baby on the front.

Hope your week settles down MrsTM

[GrapefruitMoon]

Ah yes, I remember reading the book by She-who-must-not-be-named and thinking, "How do I put the baby down for a nap at 9am when i am doing the school run??"

[MrsTittleMouse]

Or trying to get everyone out of the house to visit friends or go to music classes...

DDs have decided to mix it up a bit this afternoon. So instead of -
a) DD1 cries or
b) DD2 cries, we now have
c) both of the above

Only 2 hours until DH comes home...only 2 hours until DH comes home...only 2 hours until DH comes home...

[Oblomov]

I saw your post before mrstmouse.

I have a nightmare at mo, with ds2. so do understand/sympathise.

[Maveta]

must not read these posts or will never have no.2

[Chirpygirl]

I think you need teh advice with your first, and when you get pregnant with your second, a nice man in a van should come round, install Sky+ (or equivalent) and tune it to Cbeebies.

[GentleOtter]

Not so MrsTittleMouse. Although I have three children, the age gap between them is quite large so when the last one came along I had forgotten many of the basics and Mn was invaluable to remind me or keep me up to date.

[Oblomov]

each child is different. if like me, dc1 is easy, you can get a real shock when you have cd2.
Plus I forgot alot. remmebered things through my rose-tinted specs.

give us more info mrstm re what age dd1 and dd2 are, and what is going on, other than jealousy.

[MrsTittleMouse]

DD2 has wind and a cold (so doesn't really want to lie down). Other than that things are fine. I just have children who like to feed a lot and not sleep much.

DD1 has just turned 2, and so is still very little herself. She's normally pretty good and mostly loves DD2 to bits (sometimes a little too enthusiastically!).

Glad to hear that I'm not alone.

[NellyTheElephant]

Oh I remember this well!! Exactly 2 yrs between my DDs so I feel your pain!! Desperately trying to remember how I got through it as I'm due to have 2 yrs 2 months between DD2 and DS and wish I had some top tips as a survival guide as I'm dreading having all this over again!! It does get better. CBeebies is GOOD. Do your best to get DD2 into a predicatble routine and build time with DD1 around that - e.g. at 8 weeks DD2's routine was approx as follows:

7am: get DD1 up take into bed with me and breast feed. DD2 didn't usually wake until about 7.30 so I could usually pretty much finish feeding before she came dashing through to my room, she'd get into bed and snuggle up and I could generally read her a couple of stories while DD1 just lay there pretty happily as she'd just been fed.

9.30: I tended to take DD1 to a great local playgroup with DD2 snoozing in the sling. I could usually offload DD2 onto another mother or playgroup helpers too as everyone loves a tiny baby (when it's not theirs!!).

Next feed was generally 10.30am / 11am ish and I'd either do that at playgroup or at home. This was the worst feed, especially if at home as DD1 would get v jealous and try and sit on my lap too etc - this was generally the first CBeebies slot of the day - I'd have it on standby and if she started driving me nuts turn it on (once I'd gone through feeding her packets of raisins and distracting her with stories).

12pm: DD2 down for afternon nap, then lunch with DD1 and a little bit of playing with her.

1pm ish: DD1 down for afternoon nap (Oh joy - blessed quiet an hour to myself!!)

2pm: Get DD2 up and feed before DD1 woke around 2.30pm.

5pm: give DD1 tea and feed DD2 while sitting at table.

6.15 bath them both.

6.45pm: DD2 in bouncy chair being vigorously rocked by my foot while read stories to DD1 and settle her into bed.

7pm: Feed DD2 then settle her.

Well that was the ideal anyway, but didn't always work out!!

I did use the sling alot for DD2, but not around the house, it was more for when out and about so I had both hands free.

Keep reminding yourelf that it DOES get better (or I wouldn't be mad enough to be having a third!)

[stitch]

well, dc3 was only ever picked up for a nappy change or feed.

[TooMuchMakkaPakka]

MrsTitlemouse you seem to be describing my life. Had to check that i had not posted in my sleep! DD is nearly 10 weeks (but was four weeks early so probably similar stage to yours) and DS is nearly 2.5.
I met a pregnant friend in the docs surgery the other day and when she told me she was keeping her toddler (same age as mine) in nursery four days a week when on maternity leave with the new baby i said oh - i just deal with one of them whilst the other one screams, then i swap around. afterwards i felt maybe this was a bit insensitive to say to woman preg with no 2 but i am sure she will be fine.
My DS is very good with his younger sister but sometimes too good, wants to cuddle her and look at her all day and wakes her up a lot when she is asleep by doing this or simply by shouting in toddler fashion.
I am making far too much use of CBeebies.
My DS was reluctant to go out of the house and has got a lot more whingy. HV told me to spend time with just me and him together adn leave expressed milk with DH etc. I can't do expressing but have tried to have half an hour here and there where i really focus on him - even if it is boring like going to shop for loaf of bread (he finds that exciting) or going outside to kick leaves. This seems to work well although he often asks where DD is he seems to enjoy the time just the two of us. Maybe it helps him be a bit more amenable the rest of the time.

[fondant4000]

The moment dd2 goes to sleep you have to switch all your attention onto dd1 and play with them, cuddle them, baby them etc - letting house go to rack and ruin.

Then all go out for lunch to IKEA (or local cafe) as impossible to prepare anything.

My dd1 was 3.5 - so a bit more able to be told to 'find something to do', but she would still kick off a lot. The only time she was OK was when distracted outside - we spent a lot of time in the park. But that's not really possible this time of year. She didn't mind the baby-wearing if we were out and about either.

I found the first winter very hard, but it does get easier in the Spring when you can get out more