Toddler and newborn with 15 mo age gap. What have I done?!

[Snowboarder]

That's it really. Have realised today just how hard this is going to be.

I can't settle the newborn in his Moses basket at night so I'm seriously sleep deprived, he is also showing the same symptoms of reflux (constantly writhing/ unhappy/ frequent hiccups/ vomiting, often through the nose) that DS1 had. DS1's first 6 months were without doubt the worst of our lives - he was so unhappy and was sick up to 60 times a day. I don't know how I can do that again.

I am struggling to occupy DS1, despite the fact that he is an angel generally. I am struggling to find time to BF and to feed DS1 downstairs without DS2 screaming. We have a 3 storey house so I have to take one of them wherever I go. Did I mention I am exhausted?

DS2 has just tried to pull the baby off my knee .

I only had my section 4 weeks ago and have been driving/ lifting the toddler (2 stone) and looking after them both throughout the week. I have no choice. I do have a DH but he's gone 6-6 midweek and thinks I am coping fine.

I love them both fiercely. But can't help wonderinh oh, god, what have I done?

Hi

there is 16 months between my 2 (who are now 5 and 4) and i had c-sections with both so i can understand how you feel.

My DS1 struggled with sleep (had recurrent ENT problems) and when DD2 was born he was still waking 3 or 4 times in the night so i had both DC to get up to

It IS hard, BUT, i think you will find that in the next couple of months you will be able to get them both onto the same routine of sleeping and eating (I worked to ensure this) and then it becomes easier. I made sure i involved my son with the baby too - like, please can you bring me a nappy, oh what a helpful big boy you are now, lots of praise etc so even when i was dealing with the baby he felt he was not left out.

It does get easier, we made sure we kept up with DS1 activities also and DD2 slotted in with them.

And fwiw, my 2 have a great relationship now, love each other dearly, play and entertain each other nicely and are pretty easy to deal with. Everyone comments on how lucky i am that they get on so well. There are positives to a close age gap but might not feel like it now!

PS my DS1 also had reflux for 6 months, and sleep apnea until 3 when he had his tonsils and adennoids removed so i hear you on the sleep deprivation!

Do you have any friends/relatives close by who could come and watch the children for you even if just for an hour so you can have a nap?

Tell your DH you're not coping? Ask for some help?

:(