How the hell am I going to manage with 3 under 4? (Terrified)

[AlwaysPondering]

Please can anyone reassure me?!

Contraception failed us and I am in the very early stages of pregnancy with DC3.

If I'm correct my other children will be 3.10 and 2.4 when baby should arrive. Eldest will be be in nursery by then (starts in Sept) and I'm still debating whether a couple of full days or a couple of morning slots will be best... I'm thinking full days because at least then I might be able to manage to get the youngest two to nap together and relax a bit.

I already have a double buggy (bugaboo donkey which can be single or double) plus buggy board which 3 year regularly uses. I also have a fab baby carrier. I currently don't drive but my test is next month so I'm hoping before I get too big I should be driving!

I am terrified of giving birth again. My second birth was a home water birth which went very well (apart from having to go hosp) but I am still so scared. I guess that's normal. I just don't feel ready to do it again so soon...

Other than DP after work I don't have any support but I've managed so far. But going out with 3 young ones on my own? Can I manage that? At times I think I can and then others I'm a trembling wreck!

Gosh I'm rambling now. If you've any experiences to share please do.

Thank you (and good morning )

You will be fine! We had three under 3 when our twins were born. We now have 3 under 5. We concentrated on ds going to bed nicely and remaining in bed all night until his gro clock sun came up. He was fully day potty trained prior to me being pregnant so that was helpful. We spent lots of time outside and going out as a family - you get peace and quiet at the end of the day when they are all asleep in the car. We have had many a mcDonald's coffee in a lay by when the children were napping in the car find a suitable spot!

Dh is at home and does several groups a week - the house stays tidier that way. We both do jobs round the house. He sets off earlier when he goes out and now they are all over 2 they walk most of the time, get a good sling for baby - sling library near you?

Find a good group - dh has found one and really enjoys meeting up once a week. Non judgmental very nice people and children who we hope to stay in contact when they are all to old to go there.

43percentburnt you have just made me realise that once I'm driving I can have drive-through coffee! Yes!

Thank you. We are currently working on having a solid night time routine for the DC. This was something that we were originally very relaxed on but with another baby on the way and nursery in September for DC1 it is something we absolutely must do.

Also once I'm driving I think we will just get out most days rather than having to walk 25mins to the nearest town or decent park so perhaps in many ways having three won't be so bad...

Will look into a gro clock - sounds interesting.

And thanks for the reassurance!

Is another DC definitely what you want OP?

Tootsings yes I do and funny you ask because I did start a thread yesterday in the the 'antenatal tests' section to help me through that decision. Thanks for asking though

You'll be fine. My step sister is 25 and had 3 under 3. She's fine. Eldest is at reception, 2nd at nursery and baby at home with her.
She will sahm until baby starts school.
Good luck, enjoy your baby 😊

We had 3 under 4 (with only 12 moths between younger 2). Although it was hard work in the early days (no family here, all overseas) it has advantages because they're all sort of at the same stage at the same time. We spent a lot of time at playgroups etc and made some lifelong friends there. Lower your standards a little re laundry, housework etc and make sure you take a little time for yourself, even if it's just a walk for half an hour.
Mine eldest is now 10, they are really good friends all of them and have siblings who are friends. They are still more or less into similar things, eg all enjoy cooking, beach, similar movies etc and they love all bring at the same school because they know each other's friends.
My other advice is take as many little videos as you can (yey iPhone!!) because lots of days pass in a blur and it's great to be able to look back on.
Many good wishes for your pregnancy OP!!!

I meant they have friends who are siblings, as in my daughters friend has a little brother who is my sons friend. It's much more straightforward than it sounds

Oh they are pretty big! I had dc1 3.8 and dc2 19mo. Dc3 was brain damaged at birth. The next two years were carnage but we all survived. Lots of folk have 3 under 4. My saintly ndn had 3 under 2. Her dc1 was 19mos when the twins arrived
It will be fine - congratulations!

You’ll be fine! Your next child will be almost 2 and a half. That’s a great age i’ve found. You might not even need the double buggy. I have similar - currently pregnant with my 3rd.

Thanks everyone!

It doesn't help that because I didn't plan this baby and seemed dead against having a third so soon whenever anyone asked I know my mum and my closest friend and siblings are going to be more worried for me than happy. No one close to me knows of anyone who has had three under four so they are all going to look at me like I'm crazy! Ah well...

And for you mamaryllis that time sounds incredibly hard and emotional and I really feel for you.

Don't think too much about logistics - you will find a way to manage.
Make sure your dh is fully involved in helping. Especially bedtimes (I dreaded doing that alone). Planning nursery for the older one is a good idea.