Positive stories of having a second baby please

[Mimosa1]

Hi everyone,
I'm pregnant with my second, and have a DD who will be 2.4 when the baby is born. This is a much wanted baby but I'm having a bit of a wobble - I enjoy my job and our life works for us well at the moment, and not sure how we'll cope with a tiny baby again. DD is delicious but hard work. Sorry if this has been done to death, but I'd be grateful for positive stories of having a second.
Thanks,
Mim

Watching as I am pregnant with baby boy and have a DD who is 7. I definitely have the wobble too, I did it more for her than anything and now I am doubting so much. I really need to read these positive stories too.
Hope you don't mind the hijack OP.

Not at all, welcome Kione - nice to bear someone else is in the same boat

I am cuddling DD on the sofa and smiling at this. She was a bit of an accident, but we always wanted two, so we assumed the brace positions and waited for the maelstrom to descend. It did'nt (yet). DS was a difficult baby - very active, high needs and too bloody intelligent for my own peace of mind (he was the child that got his nursery to retrofit the gates after he worked out how to open them with magnets ). DD by comparison is a sweet, smiling podgy delight who adores her brother. It's lovely to watch them play together and DS is always th first one over when she cries.

DS is 3.5 so adapt this as you see fit.

1. I started to talk about babis to DS as soon as the bump showed - we read books, player with dolls etc. DH also started taking over some aspects such as bedtime so DS would not be disrupted if I had to deal with the baby
2. We bought a present for DS to open at the hospital (from DD) and made a big fuss of him -I basically handed DD to her father and focused on him.
3. My parents paid for a childminder to look after DS for two days a week, so I could catch up on sleep and bond with DD. It also meant I was not totally knackered and touched out which gave me more energy and time with DS.
4. With DS getting older, I involve him in small decisions about the baby - what toy shall choose for her, would she like this book etc? She is seen as "his baby" now, which is amazing except when he tries to feed her his food. Like another poster mentioned, if I am feeding/changing DD, I generally tell DS he can have xyz when my hands are free.
5. Get a sling! It's invaluable when you have a clingy, teething baby and a toddler hellbent on destruction.

It's hard work and you will have wobbles. It's also great fun and a rollercoaster adventure.

Also having the wobble!! Unexpectedly pregnant with dc2. Ds will be 18 months old when his sibling is born. I am happy about the pregnancy but at almost 6 months gone I have started to worry a bit. Those (very occasional) bad days that I have, how the hell will I manage with two?! Ds is an absolute joy, so cheerful and happy. Could definitely sleep better but that will come I hope. But I worry I won't be so lucky with the next one.

Dh isn't all that great tbh and we've certainly had our moments since ds arrived, but atm things seem really good. I feel like I'm doing well!! It's all going to change....

I found no.2 a breeze compared to number 1, and actually enjoyed the baby stage.

• I knew the really hard baby stage would fly by, and I'd feel like the old me again.
• the pregnancy went much faster because I was so busy with number 1.
• Far easier labour.
• I knew what to expect and wasn't shocked when I was landed with a newborn baby that needed feeding, changing, etc. Sleepless nights weren't a shock to the system either.
• I wasn't hung up on things like I was on my first, eg baby gaining weight, things being sterilised we didn't even own a steriliser when we had no.3
• Watching the relationship between DC 1 & 2 was probably the best part

I am only seven weeks in so can't say much about later, but I've found these last weeks easier than I imagined - definitely easier than running around after a toddler with a massive bump. My DC are 22 m apart. I have found it quite easy giving DS 1 a lot of attention because DS 2 is a super quick feeder and has spent most of his life asleep so far! I actually felt DS 2 wasn't getting enough attention and cuddles at one point. So I'd say, don't worry about the newborn phase at least!

- I knew the really hard baby stage would fly by, and I'd feel like the old me again.
So good to read this, I'll really keep it in mind :)

I found having a second maternity leave while DS was still only two to be a huge benefit for both of us, DD spent a lot of it asleep and DS and I had a lot of fun times together. He also stayed in childcare a couple of days a week to keep his place/stick with routine/give me a break, that meant I could take DD to some baby groups too.

Hi I'm due DD1 in February when DS1 will be 2.5. My main worry is the lack of sleep which took its toll with DS1. I always felt like I could conquer the world if I just had more than 4 hours sleep! Our DS will carry on at nursery/my mums 4 days a week so I'll just have the two of them myself one day a week which I think will make a huge difference! I think since finding out I'm having a girl I'm more excited as I would have been happy with another boy but it's almost like having a first again with all the new clothes I get to buy! My work is really stressful at the moment too so being at home with a new baby feels like a better option right now! Good luck!