Would love a 2nd but fear the reality!

[Greecelover]

I have a 13 month old whom I adore and would love to have a second baby. He slept through from 4 months but for the past six months he has woken up during the night on and on off for one reason or the other - teeth, illness, whatever. I now regularly exist on just 3-4 hours a night and although I am surviving and feel surprisingly reasonable during the day, I am wondering how I would survive with the night feeds of a newborn on top. I might add that I have no family nearby and my husband is a pilot and so he often has to leave me to it at night to make sure he gets enough sleep to function.
I'm 38 this year and aware of time running out to have another one (especially as we needed help for DS1).

Would appreciate thoughts of anyone in similar situation!

I found having my second MUCH MUCH easier than my first!

In 9 months times your first child may well be much more settled at night so this may not even be a problem. But there are no guarantees, you just have to go with your gut!

If your dh is a pilot you could PAY for help, either for your eldest or the baby or cleaning...

Don´t you only ever regret things you didn´t do?

hi sachertorte

dh may be pilot but he is only on 30k - he's not a glam transatlantic 100k-a-year type pilot! so paid help is a definite no-no.

You're right though, I know we should go with gut instinct!

Greecelover, I am where you (think!) you want to be, and baby number 2 is due in a couple of weeks. I was terrified of having another and of not having another (and posted about it at length under an old name) as DS is the worlds worst sleeper - he is almost 3, and has slept through the night maybe twice ever. I was assured his sleep would change - well it has got better, but it is far from good. I do all the night wakings - usually 3-4 a night - as my DH has a stressful job with a long commute, wheras I work P/T closer to home. I also have no family nearby.

But, I am delighted to be expecting tinybaby, at 37 (very nearly 38) I am glad I didn't wait longer as it took a year to concieve (DS took 2 months), and I totally agree that you should go with your gut feeling here.

Ask me again at the end of March though, when I should have a newborn and a toddler!

thanks for the input Capt Karvol. Would really appreciate hearing how you get on with the arrival of No2! and good luck!