18 month age gap - advice please!

[studentvera]

Hi does anyone have an 18 month age gap between babies. I'm going to be having that and am quite nervous! How do you work things?! X

I have a 17 month gap between my DDs. DD2 is currently 10 weeks and so far all going well. I had visions of us never leaving the house and the girls both screaming all the time, but its a lot better thn that. Sometimes I actually amaze myself and were all ready to go at by 9! Other days its chaos and if we have showered and dressed by midday then it's. surprise!
Tips I would recommend is:
-A bouncer up and downstairs so you can always put the baby down safely.
-Put the bouncer up of your older child's reach, my DD1 is quite heavy handed so not safe if she can reach the baby without me nearby.

• have toys/snacks handy so when you are feeding the baby you can entertain your eldest easily.

-pack your changing bag the night before, less faffing when you are trying to leave the house (I left with the wrong nappies and had to put my newborn in a size 5 nappy, whoops!) -put the eldest in the car first, and take her out last. The baby is safe once in the seat, whereas the eldest can roam about, not good if you are trying to sort the baby.

Good luck, it's chaos but great fun!

I have an 18 months and one day gap . Yes yes to two cots and a double buggy. I think it's a brilliant age gap, my two liked attending/doing all the same activities, napped at the same time after lunch each day and are best friends. You don't get the jealousy that you do when the gap is approaching two years or two years+. The only problem I had is the younger one being alone when older one goes to school when they have always been together.

I agree with the previous poster who said it was a lot easier going from 1 to 2 then none to one.

Mine have a 15 month gap, they are 7 and 8 now and are best friends (when not bickering!) We had a double buggy and two cots, and the first year of DD2's life were a blur of nappies and sleepless nights. After that it got a whole lot easier. Actually, the hardest part was being pregnant and looking after dd1, who wasnt walking and wanted to be carried everywhere!