Help! New born with colic and jealous toddler

[Bafty]

Calling on any tips for dealing with a new born with colic and toddler jealousy. My DS1 is 2yrs 10 months and DD2 is 7 weeks. I seem to be trying to keep everyone happy including DH but not succeeding very well....

Is Dh doing his fair share?
The thing I found when I had ds2 was that ds1 would just come over and scratch his face or hit him randomly. Sometimes he would be really nice and cuddly and then he would just lash out. DH would play with ds1 and show him lots of attention while I looked after ds2. It's a massive shock for everyone when another little one arrives on the scene, but it does eventually become less hectic and a lot more normal.
Can your parent/parents in law help you out by taking your ds1 out for a couple of hours in the day?

some people on here hae used a 'feeding box' so when you are feeding the baby it is the only time you get out a box full of special toys your toddler loves to keep him enteetained.
That or get lots of dvds from the library for him to watch just to get you through the first 3 months.

We have been living with out a TV for 6 months. We let DS1 watch DVDs at the weekend. I am very tempted to have DVD slots during the week now to help but may try the special box of toys first. DH is helping with DS1 but its me and only me that DS1 wants. However, and I dont want to jinx things, but things seemed a little better last night, for the first time in since DD2 was born DS1 asked DH to read him a story and DH2 slept much better too! Today she has also been giving everyone big smiles and didnt seem so upset by being bounced on by her brother. Lets hope that now we are nearly at 8 weeks we are turning a corner... thanks for the tips/feedback.

PS we dont have inlaws or parents living nearby - silly us!

Hi sprogger

sorry for not responding sooner. I may have to try selective DVD viewing too. I mean how hard do we need to make this! I'm feeling a bit blue today as DD2 had another really bad bout of colic yesterday eve. It always happens right through the bed time hour until about 9.00 to 10pm so I end up not being able to spend time with DS1. I had just taken DD2 to an osteopath too! maybe it brought it all to a head - I hope so.. I guess the next couple of days will show us. I hope your managing okay with your two.

I agree. It pains me to say it, but the DVD / TV option buys you some peace while you are trying to feed. There is nothing as effective I'm afraid. Not ideal, but needs must in my view with a young baby! We also don't have any parental / in law support which is another reason I use to justify its use. Its relly hard when you don't have a support network around you - so don't beat yourself up over some TV time.