always holding newborn!! - effect on 18 month old DC??

[sparklyflowers]

I have a 3 week old DC and 18 month old. At the moment, DC2 is too small for bouncer etc so is either in moses or being held. DC2 is awake lots in day and I don't like leaving awake in Moses. I am BF so all feeding is down to me. I am concerned that after feeding, caring for, settling etc, I always seem to be holding DC2 when DC1 is awake. I talk / interact / play with DC2 but I'm concerned that all this holding / closeness may effect DC2. He seems fine / showing no jealous behaviour, but just wondering what others thoughts were? I presume once bouncers etc some into play to sit newborn up in it gets easier?

That is why I'm not keen on 'wearing your baby'. There are times that you should give the older ones your undivided attention and just put them down- be able to roll around the floor, kick a ball, cuddle and read a story without the baby.

You will soon be able to put him down a d they like watching.

I was in the same position except my dd was 20 months.

She's ten now and I've noticed no ill effects so far .

I had a 20 month gap- it is a short phase.

My gap is 14m and the first four months have been tough. DD2 is now 4m and is more settled, crying less and happier on her mat so I can give time to DS1. However, it is trying and he gets annoyed when she's slow to feed and he's clambering on the sofa or doing all sorts of hazardous explorations in the living room. However, it gets easier every week and I'm looking forward to him hopefully becoming more protective of her as he realises she's a permanent fixture. 3 weeks is still VERY young and things will rapidly improve. Good luck

My friend had her newborn in a moby type sling for weeks - the older child seemed to not care a jot if mum had baby in the sling, but was annoyed as hell when out of it. What a tricky one- and one I'm interested in as I'll be going through it no doubt, in a few months....

If you're babywearing then your hands will be free and most of your lap too - I can definitely recommend a sling for this age! I have an 18m age gap and don't know how I would have coped without the Close sling I had - DS was in it more or less all day for his first three months. After that he was happy to be put down for naps. Cuddle your older DC whenever you can - don't worry while there are no jealousy issues.

Sounds like you really need to juggle it mummy! This is what slings are made for - you can keep little baby happy and calm close to you, whilst you still get to be mobile and have two free hand to tend to your older child or do whatever you need.

It's very normal for a newborn baby to need to be close to mummy (It's called the forth trimester) it's how they sleep best, breathe more stably and cry 50% less - it's really amazing.

A sling library can help you find the right one for you, and I'm a sling consultant myself so glad to help too if we are in the same area. You can check out my page Close to my Heart - NW London Slings
www.facebook.com/Close-to-my-Heart-NW-London-Slings-1274780352623337/

Good luck to you mummy!

I doubt she needs a sling for a six year old