Two under two

[OctoberMarch]

Hi
Just after some reassurance. My DD is 11 months old and I've found parenthood so much harder than I could ever have imagined. I think I have made it worse by putting way too much pressure on myself to be perfect, although I'm a lot calmer and more realistic now.

On Friday, DH and I found out we're expecting again. I'm over the initial shock - pregnancy wasn't planned - but now starting to worry about having two DCs so close in age. DD will only be 19 months when baby arrives. We had planned to wait until she was about 4 before we had another baby.

I'm just worried about how we'll cope and if I'll be able to look after both DCs properly. Will DD resent me? I know it's silly but I worry that I won't love each of my DCs enough

I'd really appreciate any advice from anybody who's been in a similar situation.

53 weeks between my LOs.
I wasn't prepared for the storm that was about to hit. It very nearly broke me. I still haven't recovered and don't think I ever will.

I hope you have lots of help and support. Good luck.

My DS was 9 months old when I fell pregnant with my DD. It is lovely having a close age gap as they bond but they also fight like cat and dog at the same time. I'm now expecting DC3 and I'm more worried about this one than I was with my second

Congratulations!
18 months between mine.
The benefits of a small age gap are huge IMO.

• DC1 very quickly adapts and after about a week won't even remember life before DC2
• Playmates very quickly
• you get the sleepless nights, nappy changing years, pram yielding, tedious singing group stuff all out of the way within a condensed period
• they have similar interests.

Downsides? None in my house. It's tough for a few months but so worth it.
My youngest is 20 months now and it's getting easier every day. I was so worried about how my DC1 would react as he hates change but he loved it.
Just enjoy!!

24months between my two. Ds2 just fit into the routine. Bliss when they both napped for a coiple of hours together. It will be hard but mine are 3.5yo and 17mo and they play together (baby gets a bit bashed) they sleep in the same room. Both out of babyhood now and much easier. Good luck and congratulations. Ds2 lived in an ergo baby carrier for first 6months but ds1 is exrremely mobile so I needed to keep up.

I have a nine month old now and im pregnant again only really earlier, what i think is the same as you but then i think my little girl will always have a friend they Will be in school together and hopefully they will be best of friends and they can go through stuff together

I'm 3 months into an 18m age gap, it was an unplanned pregnancy and I was so worried about how I was going to cope but actually so far it's fine. I was so worried about not having enough time for my eldest but the baby is very chilled out which helps immensely. The early days are a blur of feeding and peppa pig but that's over quite quickly. Toddler groups are great for letting the eldest run off some steam while I have the baby in the carrier.
I'm very tired, the baby seems to love having a 5am feed and the toddler often wakes up not long after 6 so that's a bit annoying but I think I'm so used to being tired now it doesn't seem to have hit me as hard as it did when I had my eldest.

I was also worried I wouldn't love the new baby as much even though I knew it was irrational, and it was, I love them both so much!
My eldest pretty much ignores her little brother so far but that's ok, he beams when she does pay him attention though!

I would say I'm definitely a "relaxed" Mum (cbeebies, biscuits and bribes get me through the day ) which I think helps somewhat, I can only really manage minimal housework, there are often piles of laundry everywhere.

I'm really pleased things have turned out this way, hopefully they'll like similar stuff and days out/holidays will be easier. I just need to resist the temptation to have more I think

I once nannied for three under 2.5 years. The youngest was 6 months and the others 18 months and 24 months two of them were cousins).
The thing that saved my sanity was they had lunch at 12.15 every day and all went for a proper afternoon sleep in their cots at 1.15 until 2.45 every single day. I got so much done in that time, I even cooked an evening meal for the parents. I was however in my mid 20's and had heaps of energy.

I was certainly never bored that's for sure and the two eldest were toilet trained together a few months later.

The pram seat was a lifesaver (showing my age here) as was the baby bouncer thing hooked up to the door frame (all very 80's 😊😊😊).

I was quite strictly regimental about everything to the point of setting the cooker timer for when I needed to start lunch etc. It was the only way to cope without it all being too chaotic.

13 month age gap here, youngest is just 8 weeks old. Won't lie I am very tired but loving it so far. The shock of going from 0 to 1 child was far greater than 1 to 2 kids.
My elder has decided to cry when going to bed, which is fine when hubby home to put her to bed/give extra cuddles but is horrible when I am on my own and both of them are crying for cuddles. But the days are great and going to supermarkets, parks etc are fine/fun.

Close Caboo (£20 2nd hand) is a great sling for newborn. Tula, Ergo, Beco all good from 3 months old.
If in Scotland you'll get a sling in your baby box.

Mountain duo buggy and Out n About double buggy are great options for side by side buggies that will fit through doors and in boot of car. Still over £100 2nd hand so not cheap.