How is a 6 month old diff to 1 year old?

[Jadefeather7]

Do you think it gets easier from 6months to 1 year?

I’m due to have another baby when my first turns 1 years old.

I’m finding him much easier at 6 months then he was at say 3 months. He sleeps well at night. He just whinges a lot during the day and needs constant attention otherwise he gets upset.

Just wondering what it’s like to have a 1 year old. I guess there’s more watching them as they are crawling/ walking. Do they start to self entertain more? Did you find it easier over time or the same or harder?

12 month olds:

• move and are a liability
• have separation anxiety
• need to be fed proper food
• are working their way to toddlerhood and having their own very strong views about everything !
• often they're on the verge of walking and are cross and grumpy in the period when they are nearly managing it but not quite, as they feel so frustrated.

• on the plus side they are super super cute
• and they might sleep better than a 6 month old.

You'll be ok OP - you will find a way through though I think you have a few very full in years ahead.

Remember you'll reap the benefits when you have a 6 year old and 5 year old who play together!

Also hugely disagree with the "walker or talker" thing. I don't know why people repeat that all the time as there's no evidential basis for it and it just makes people feel shit when at 12m they actually don't appear to have either! My DD learnt to walk and her language exploded at exactly the same time, around 16m. And that's not unusual at all.

@butterandbread “suspended by feet” Yep I know that feeling!

@Jadefeather7 I wouldn't discount bf straight off the bat. I have a similar age gap between my two and being able to plop a boob out and feed was by far easier than making up bottles with all the cleaning and sterilising.

I had a rotten time bf ds1 and really was so worried but thankfully Ds2 was a dream, he latched and fed well from the get go.

You just have to get to know your 'safe spaces' when out and about so you can sit with baby while first born has a run about or is entertained. For us it was the play park, fenced area by duck ponds, any bus shelter to watch the traffic (while strapped in the buggy), soft play and one child friendly cafe.

But the long and frequent feeds don't last forever and pretty soon you can easily plan around them without hassle.

I love the age gap of my two, now at 10 months and 2years. Routines line up, they eat, get up, nap and go to bed at the same time. Ds1 can't remember a time without his brother and there has been no jealousy. They are now playing with the same kind of toys and interested in the same groups and activities. It works really well for us. Good luck and congratulations!

I found things stepped up a notch when dd walked at 13 months. She was an easy baby. But had and still has boundless energy so it was very tiring. This age = headless chicken.

Based on my kids:

1. pop to the kitchen to get a drink.

• 6mo : still roughly where you left him, might be playing. Might be a bit grumpy.

-12mo : might be sat on the table, helping himself to items in the bin. Trying to kill himself in ways you hadn't even imagined. So instead if quickly popping to get that drink/put the load of washing out, you have to take them.

2. separation anxiety

6 mo: might get miffed for a few seconds when you leave the room

12mo: quickly becomes hysterical and tries to follow you. Then pulls up on your legs and clings to them so you can't walk.

3. danger

6mo : can't reach the danger or does it slowly enough thst you can stop them

12mo : is attracted to danger but doesn't understand it.

4. tidying up

6mo - plonk them in a corner with toys and tidy round them whilst singing etc.

12mo. They pull stuff out of cupboards for fun meaning your efforts usually generate more mess. Oh and they create more mess.

If mine us anything to go by sleep is just as bad ( for us personally it was worse at 1y), the beginning of tantrums, and there are often less naps. Oh and juggling this with return to work.

I love toddlers, they are fun and inquisitive brilliant little people. But they are far harder than 6mo and for me far far harder than newborns. The good thing is after running round after a 12mo baby 2 will probably seem easier as a new born.

As for 2 young ones - don't be afraid to put CBeebies on and learn to feed In a sling. Baby 1 you are sat on the sofa pinned down with feeding. Baby 2 (if my experience is anything to go by) you're likely feeding in the sling, whilst making lunch for your toddler, whilst doing puzzles/reading with them at the same time. It's chaotic fun.

@TheBabyAteMyBrain agree, breastfeeding- once established!! - is so much easier than bottles. Sling on, boob out, and off you go.

I found 12 months actually the hardest stage with both my sons. Youngest ds was a dream baby, so so chilled and his 2.5 year old brother was a demon baby but now my youngest is 12 months he is a tantrum machine. They want to open everything, climb everything and are still in the separation anxiety phase so lose their shit because you need to pee! His big brother was exactly the same but now he is 2 and a half he is am absolute dream boat because he can understand and almost have conversations which he loves! From 12 months babies get so so angry that they can't communicate or walk properly. I have no idea what the terrible twos look like but the terrible 12 months are a chore. I do love my boys to their bones regardless though and having them so close together was the best decision of my life, even if the toddler once decorated his baby bro in sudocreme whilst I was doing a #2...