Is having 5 really any harder than 4?

[sparklesandnowinefor5months]

I'm currently pg with no5 and was just wondering really, as i'm merrily going along thinking that it won't really make that much difference (other than having a lovely new baby! )

but am i being naive or is it just about the same?

It will as you'll have to look after your others as well as a new baby.

i know it will be harder in that respect, as it always is with a new baby for the first few months, but do you have to adjust alot or just a little iykwim

i found the jump from 2-3 the hardest adjustment for some reason

i think it probably depends on how old your oldest children are. If they can be more independent once the baby arrives then it isn't much more difficult. I am finding that my older children are now being more helpful around the house etc

I have just had no 5 (he is 6 weeks old) and am not finding it anymore difficult, apart from the practical issues of trying to cook dinner, bath the children etc while having a newborn to look after.

Having said that, I am not being at all ambitious about activities (after school/holiday) for the older children, and it is still very early days .

DS1 is 9 (will be 10 when baby is here), DD is 6, DS2 is 3 and DS3 is 2

the oldest 2 are very helpful already and i have spoken to them gently about the fact that they will probably need to help me a little more for a while and they are fine with that - DP gets a couple of weeks off and although he does work long hours etc his company are pretty good when it comes to having time off for me or the DC

I guess i'll just carry on in the routine i have and the new baby will just kind of 'fit in'

I found it easy to go from four to five. Everyone chips in to do their chores, and the older ones were quite competent by the time #5 came along.

bf helped me as could be bf & looking after the others

yes Cupsof i do plan on bfing again it does make life easier doesn't it - although a number of people have said to me that they thought i might bottlefeed this time to make it easier on myself, but as i have no one else here during the day to make the bottles or do the feeds i'm not sure how that would work?

How can bottlefeeding be easier on you. So much easier to bf with baby in your arms whilst doing everything else for other kids.

not sure really? once we get into a feeding routine i tend to organise activities at the sofa/kitchen table where i can feed and play with others always found this easier myself, but i guess people are only trying to help

all people seem to be saying to me are '5 are you mad' 'don't you have a tv? hahaha' 'gosh that must have been an accident' 'how will you ever cope' are just among a few of the things....

i'm getting a bit pissed off with it now actually!

sparkles I have similar age gaps to you - 9, 7, 5 , 3 and newbaby.

It is fine! I am really enjoying it in fact, ds2 is an easy baby I think, but dd3 (my 3 yo ) is being an absolute nightmare to make up for that. You will cope fine and it will be alright and you can then start thinking that it wouldn't be such a bad thing to have no 6 (like me!).

Thanks Pollyanna, i'm really looking forward to it myself as is DP I was just wondering really

Congrats btw

similiar ages to you PollyA - hard work but I love it!

Sometimes people will under estimate how much you do - I do volunteer work & one of my collegues can't understand why I can't do everything.

Yes all fine, you will barely notice I found the 2-3 jump the hardest too.

I am hoping 6-7 is easy too think i may be kidding myself!