Different with second baby?

[whyno]

I'm due baby number 2 in a few days and wondered what people found different about the first few weeks with their second baby as opposed to the first?

Hopefully goes without saying that I'm not looking for loads of horror stories at this point.

I felt tired with my second, but it was nothing like the shock from lack of sleep with my first.
I've been much more confident and relaxed and it may be because of it, or a coincidence but I have a very chilled out baby. Good luck and enjoy!

Congratulations!

Second DD definitely felt easier (DDs are 2 years apart). DD2 just fed and slept like clockwork. I didn't have a routine for we and she just had to fit in with DD1's activities, so ended up having a morning nap before playgroups, lunch time walking home from playgroups and mid-afternoon after feeding.

DD2 fed a lot quicker and for less time too (both ebf). Night feeds were easier too. DD1 fed for hours and woke up after every hour.

I think it was mostly because I felt more confident and relaxed with DD2. I knew what I was doing. And also was distracted by DD1!

But unfortunately, I felt (and still feel!) DD2 is growing up too quickly. I forgot the time when she was a baby as I had been paying less attention to her. So enjoy every moment you can.

Although my first child was very much planned and wanted, nothing prepared me for the complete shock of becoming a parent and having to completely change my lifestyle and if im honest I struggled with this slightly. However with my second there qas none of that as I was already doing it. I'm 8 weeks in now having 2 and I can honestly say it's much easier this time round and watching Dd1 with her baby sister is priceless!!

Thank you for your lovely answers . I can't even imagine what it's going to be like and have spent this pregnancy equal parts terrified and excited!

There's a 20 year gap between mine so the biggest difference is the tiredness. I don't remember ever being this tired with my first. That said, this little one is so much easier than the first. Partly because he's such a laid back baby and partly because I'm older and wiser and much more relaxed than first time round.

whyno I may well still be hormonal DC2 is 8 weeks old - but I read your post and it just took me back to how much worrying I did at the end if the pregnancy.. And the reality has been so much better than I dared hope for.
As others have said there is not the same shock second time around and I don't treat DC2 like a bomb that may go off any second like I did with PFB. I am doing things very differently this time - partly because I am more relaxed and partly because I know how precious and short these newborn weeks are. I would have to say everything has been easier this time -feeding way quicker, reading cues easier - and not feeling ilke the end of the world if i get it wrong.
Of course there are good days and bad but I have had a great weekend feeling truly content with my little family unit.
The moment you introduce your new baby to DC1 is very special - how exciting - good luck !

I remember worrying "will I love him too?:
and I freaked out having to do the shopping with 2!

but it was fine. and it's better now (we have 6 kids! )

Much easier with second! Despite not having much help and support and having to go back into hospital a week later for a d&c for retained placenta . It still felt much easier as I didn't have that shellshock of argh-I'm-a-Mum-now-what-do-I-do-with-him that I had with ds1! Congratulations and hope all goes well!

When dc1 was born everything centered around dc1. When dc2 was born most things still centered around dc1 and dc2 just slotted in. Sometimes I look at them (now both teenagers) and wonder if we have ever really got beyond that stage. Thankfully, dc2 is an easygoing person, whereas dc1 has always been what you might call high maintenance.