Tips for 1 1/2yr old and newborn

[Dozeyland]

I am due with DC2 in May 2012. DD will be roughly 1yr 1/2... any survival/handy tips? she plays very well on her own and we go to playgroups like nearly everyday but how can we get the right balance so I have time with both of them? and in those first few weeks where i will be BF newborn (DD has self-weaned to cows milk and sleeping through at present) but things DD can do when i have to be tending to newborn??

and also survival tips for mum! I will be alone for a while as DP is a away until next sept roughly 9difficult situation) but we are very much in love.

I won't lie, it is hard. I always tried to give the oldest a lot of time, talk to him during feeding (there was also just 18 months between my two). Try not to be too strict about a routine - I always ended up giving DS1 baths in the morning as giving him a bath at night would be a meltdown with DS2 crying and feeding constantly. It's much easier to just give a bath to the oldest when baby is quiet, preferably asleep!

My oldest slept for ages in the afternoon, and I used to put them both in the double buggy at about 12:30 and walk around the block so that they could both sleep at the same time. Life saver.

Find a few good DVDs for the oldest whilst you BF you can all cuddle up ont he sofa and watch a few programs. From time to time this is a complete life saver.

Go with the flow and try to enjoy the second baby, which is hard sometimes with a demanding toddler attached to your leg!

Be organised! It is the key - so much so that you will end up obsessive lol.

Don't expect too much from your DD - especially that once LO arrives she might stop paying nicely alone and want more attention from you, be prepared to give it. DD is still tiny, don't expect too much from her, she won't get it for a while.

It is nice when they nap at the same time, but it might never happen (or once in a blue moon) so use that time for one on one playtime with each. make sure you have time with both on their own.

As for you - to keep your sanity get DP involved as much as humanly possible when he is there - we found it a lifesaver if one took both DCs out, even for five minutes, to give the other some space. When you're on your own I would try to get other family members involved if at all possible.

My DDs are 6 & 7 now, and it was sheer hard work until DD2 was about 4 - it's a long hard slog but so worth it when you see them getting along so well and being so close!

Good luck!