If you had anxiety with your first, what was it like with your second?

[Minifruit]

I was wondering if anyone who had post natal anxiety with their first baby either didn’t get it with their second, or whether there were any tips for preventing/managing it for subsequent children?

I had a 2020 baby (first child) and am trying to figure out if the intense anxiety I experienced was mostly due to the pandemic and having nowhere to go, not having a birth partner allowed, and very little support. I am fine now, with no anxiety (aside from the usual mum guilt!)

Does anyone have any advice/similar stories?

I wasn’t officially diagnosed with post natal anxiety, but after having my second, I looked back at my first post partum experience through a different lens. I realised that I hadn’t been ok first time, I just didn’t know any different then.

We worked quite hard to get DS1 into a good routine where he was happy for DH to do bedtimes etc. DS2 was a really difficult screamy baby but somehow it was ok because I knew that eventually he would grow out of it. I talked quite a bit more openly if I felt I was struggling too which helped.

I wish you all the best for a better second time experience.

@MintTeaLady thank you, that is a very reassuring message. I know what you mean as well as I already can see myself with much more clarity now, the time passes so quickly but at the time I felt the hard bits would last forever!

I hope number 2 will be much more positive, hopefully no pandemic this time 😂

Thank you again