Going from 1 to 2 children

[MamaRoo25]

Hi, I am currently pregnant with baby no2 and when she is born my daughter will have just turned 3. When she was born I really struggled to adapt to motherhood and to bond with her, which I feel still guilty about to this day, I had mental health issues after she was born ocd and anxiety mainly. I am just worrying that all this will happen again with baby no2. My bond is stronger than ever with my first born, I have so many worries that I won’t cope, or that my daughter will feel pushed to the side. I guess I am just looking for similar stories, positive ones preferably.. thank you xx

[happylittlechick]

Everyone is different. And every baby is different. Do they sleep? Do they eat well? Do they have colic? How does oldest react? All unknowns. Best advice is try not to worry. I know that's easier said than done.

[Tonic54]

Hi I have a 2.5year old and a 5month old. I also found it hard to bond with my first born and part of the reason I wanted another was to enjoy the newborn period more. I still found it hard and I still did not get the rush of love I had hoped for. However at least this time I knew it would get better so I didn't worry as much. I've just had to accept I'm not a newborn person. It's hard with two but now the baby is older and the toddler is used not being the only one it's so lovely to see the bond they already have and I'm hoping it will continue.

From my experience I'd say expect the first few months to be hard and make sure you do everything you can to make it easier, such as have easy to prepare food and childcare for the toddler at least a few mornings a week if possible.