Is having 5 really any harder than 4?

[sparklesandnowinefor5months]

I'm currently pg with no5 and was just wondering really, as i'm merrily going along thinking that it won't really make that much difference (other than having a lovely new baby! )

but am i being naive or is it just about the same?

[cupsoftea]

It will as you'll have to look after your others as well as a new baby.

[sparklesandnowinefor5months]

i know it will be harder in that respect, as it always is with a new baby for the first few months, but do you have to adjust alot or just a little iykwim

i found the jump from 2-3 the hardest adjustment for some reason

[Pollyanna]

i think it probably depends on how old your oldest children are. If they can be more independent once the baby arrives then it isn't much more difficult. I am finding that my older children are now being more helpful around the house etc

I have just had no 5 (he is 6 weeks old) and am not finding it anymore difficult, apart from the practical issues of trying to cook dinner, bath the children etc while having a newborn to look after.

Having said that, I am not being at all ambitious about activities (after school/holiday) for the older children, and it is still very early days .

[sparklesandnowinefor5months]

DS1 is 9 (will be 10 when baby is here), DD is 6, DS2 is 3 and DS3 is 2

the oldest 2 are very helpful already and i have spoken to them gently about the fact that they will probably need to help me a little more for a while and they are fine with that - DP gets a couple of weeks off and although he does work long hours etc his company are pretty good when it comes to having time off for me or the DC

I guess i'll just carry on in the routine i have and the new baby will just kind of 'fit in'

[ScienceTeacher]

I found it easy to go from four to five. Everyone chips in to do their chores, and the older ones were quite competent by the time #5 came along.

[cupsoftea]

bf helped me as could be bf & looking after the others

[sparklesandnowinefor5months]

yes Cupsof i do plan on bfing again it does make life easier doesn't it - although a number of people have said to me that they thought i might bottlefeed this time to make it easier on myself, but as i have no one else here during the day to make the bottles or do the feeds i'm not sure how that would work?

[cupsoftea]

How can bottlefeeding be easier on you. So much easier to bf with baby in your arms whilst doing everything else for other kids.

[sparklesandnowinefor5months]

not sure really? once we get into a feeding routine i tend to organise activities at the sofa/kitchen table where i can feed and play with others always found this easier myself, but i guess people are only trying to help

all people seem to be saying to me are '5 are you mad' 'don't you have a tv? hahaha' 'gosh that must have been an accident' 'how will you ever cope' are just among a few of the things....

i'm getting a bit pissed off with it now actually!

[Pollyanna]

sparkles I have similar age gaps to you - 9, 7, 5 , 3 and newbaby.

It is fine! I am really enjoying it in fact, ds2 is an easy baby I think, but dd3 (my 3 yo ) is being an absolute nightmare to make up for that. You will cope fine and it will be alright and you can then start thinking that it wouldn't be such a bad thing to have no 6 (like me!).

[sparklesandnowinefor5months]

Thanks Pollyanna, i'm really looking forward to it myself as is DP I was just wondering really

Congrats btw

[cupsoftea]

similiar ages to you PollyA - hard work but I love it!

Sometimes people will under estimate how much you do - I do volunteer work & one of my collegues can't understand why I can't do everything.

[largeginandtonic]

Yes all fine, you will barely notice I found the 2-3 jump the hardest too.

I am hoping 6-7 is easy too think i may be kidding myself!