two under 18m - any tips?

[soandsosmum]

Hi
I'm sure this has been done to death and I'm not even sure this is the right place but I found out yesterday that I'm expecting dc2 and DD is 10m.

I'm trying to plan now all the things I can so I can action in trimester 2 before I get huge and slow in trimester 3!

So far I've cone up wuth this.if you have close age gaps pls add to my attempting-to-hold-bac
k-the-panic-list

1 get DD1 drinking from a cup
2 get DD1 eating as independently as possible
3 work out sleeping arrangements for new born and next state (we only have two bedrooms. Dh may be on couch!)
4 actually look for nursery for dd1 (rather than just talk about it)
5 give up on getting into my size 12s for another year or two and get maternity clothes down from the loft
6 research slings and double buggies
7 folio acid
8 work out how to get work projects completed by Oct!!
9 enjoy days with just DD1
Any tips on things which will be particularly difficult with 2? (Other than swimming which is hard enough with one!)
10 ?

Bit late for the folic acid, tbh.

Forget 1 and 2 they really aren't important. Travel cot with bassinet for new baby? Then you can put it away to save space. Why do you need a nursery? I am assuming you are a wahm just now? If you think you need a double then get one but bear in mind you may only need it a few months and they are bloody expensive. You might get away with a sling and then a buggy board if you don't want the expense of changing prams. And as for tips- be organised but don't stress about being organised iyswim. Baby will need a lot of attention and your toddler may get bored so having a wee box of interesting things/ activities will make a difference. When the baby sleeps play with toddler even if your eyes are melting with tiredness. Accept any help that is offered. Don't expect dc1 to do everything you want them to do ie items 1 and 2 on your list as they will do it when they want to

There are 19 months between my two, and when ds2 was born, ds1 wasn't even walking, yet. So my advice would be not to stress - you don't know for certain what level of independence your dc1 will have by the time dc2 comes along and it is impossible to force the issue that much. Besides which, a strongly independent minded 18 month old is not really any better than one still reliant on its mother's help, as 18 month old children have no common sense whatsoever and the independent ones just independently do stupid things. As for slings and double buggies - again, not something you can immediately consider, as your dd1 is only 10 months old, so no knowing how she will enjoy getting around in a few months time, anyway.

As for the smallish age gap - it is hard work in the first three years, but then MUCH easier than a bigger gap, particularly if your children are the same sex. My dss entertain each other and mostly enjoy the same activities, so days out are easy. Also, because they were close in age, even when little I could take them to the same places (soft play areas, playgrounds, etc) and find activities appropriate for both age groups without either child getting bored and feeling dragged along to a place for the benefit of his sibling. I think a larger age gap is harder work, myself (and you have to go back to nappies and wipes and changes of baby clothes, etc, just to go out for a short while, having got used to a bit more normality if you've had a bigger age gap).

I'm only 4-5 weeks so I thought folic acid was recommended until 12 weeks?

Thanks rabbit and ace

Great advice on the double buggy. I won't get one until if, after dc2 is born, I find I need one. DD is very mobile, and nearly walking now, so a buggy board/sling combo might work well.

Did either of you do cloth nappies?
I'm wondering what I might do with those.