Second Child

mummy0207 · 2019-08-03T14:10:04+00:00

I have just found out me and our partner are expecting our second child. Unplanned and only 4 weeks. My first born has just turned one and I would like to hear others stories of having such a close age gap

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

avocadoincident · 03/08/2019 16:50

Can I place mark on this thread as I have a 16 month old and am 8 weeks pregnant.

Also there if you are due in March I can link a thread of other expectant mams.

If it's April I bet you can search for a thread for that too.

avocadoincident · 03/08/2019 16:51

March Babies #2 www.mumsnet.com/Talk/pregnancy/3652121-March-Babies-2

avocadoincident · 03/08/2019 16:53

Here is the March 2020 expectant thread:

April 2020 Babies www.mumsnet.com/Talk/pregnancy/3640572-April-2020-Babies

Original poster

mummy0207 · 04/08/2019 11:13

Was your pregnancy planned? How are you feeling? Xx

OP posts:

SingCat · 05/08/2019 10:48

This was me last year - my 2 are 20 months apart and my youngest is now 3.5 months. So far, it's all been surprisingly smooth sailing - DD1 loves her little sister, and got used to her v quickly. Her sleep did get a bit more disturbed, and she can be a bit over exuberant with her kisses and cuddles but mostly she's very sweet at introducing everyone to the baby, checking where she is etc. And while I feel like I'm changing an awful lot of nappies at times, I'm very grateful DD2 is much more chilled out and a better sleeper than her big sister.

SingCat · 05/08/2019 10:48

This was me last year - my 2 are 20 months apart and my youngest is now 3.5 months. So far, it's all been surprisingly smooth sailing - DD1 loves her little sister, and got used to her v quickly. Her sleep did get a bit more disturbed, and she can be a bit over exuberant with her kisses and cuddles but mostly she's very sweet at introducing everyone to the baby, checking where she is etc. And while I feel like I'm changing an awful lot of nappies at times, I'm very grateful DD2 is much more chilled out and a better sleeper than her big sister.

SingCat · 05/08/2019 10:48

This was me last year - my 2 are 20 months apart and my youngest is now 3.5 months. So far, it's all been surprisingly smooth sailing - DD1 loves her little sister, and got used to her v quickly. Her sleep did get a bit more disturbed, and she can be a bit over exuberant with her kisses and cuddles but mostly she's very sweet at introducing everyone to the baby, checking where she is etc. And while I feel like I'm changing an awful lot of nappies at times, I'm very grateful DD2 is much more chilled out and a better sleeper than her big sister.

Original poster

mummy0207 · 05/08/2019 14:11

@SingCat

Congratulations!! My little boy will be 2 months off his second birthday when this baby is due!! He's a perfect sleeper and always has been so I hope it doesn't affect him too much I'm so nervous xx

OP posts:

TheBabyAteMyBrain · 05/08/2019 14:18

There is 18 months between my two. I love the smaller age gap, it makes activities and the general planning of the day easier. Plus I can line up naps and sleep myself

My eldest doesn't remember a time before his brother, he hasn't been jealous or misplaced. He's taken it all in his stride and just accepts any changes. Saying that we concreted a routine before #2 was born with toddler groups and the like and stuck to it as far as possible so his routine didn't change much.

The only thing I would advise is to prepare your eldest for when you are heavily pregnant and have a new born in arms, get them to be more independent with walking up stairs, climbing in and out of the bath, getting up to the table, and on play equipment. I started this slowly so by the time I was unable to crawl through a soft play or pick him up for a walk it wasn't an issue.

Congratulations!

avocadoincident · 05/08/2019 16:03

Great advice there about encouraging independence. I think as well to talk talk talk to them to try and get their speech as good as it can be.

Our baby was planned OP I'm 40 this year so couldn't hang around. The age gap will be exactly two years.

Ours will have to share a bedroom so am concerned about either of them will sleep

JustbeaDentist · 05/08/2019 16:14

15 month gap. Difficult some days but we use nursery some days we get by the rest of the time.

Original poster

mummy0207 · 07/08/2019 08:10

Thank you everyone feeling more positive now xx

OP posts:

MyOtherProfile · 07/08/2019 08:16

Almost 20 month gap here. I was 6 weeks pregnant at my son's first birthday party and felt like I was hiding a massive secret. We have loved the small age difference. It's exhausting for the first few years but so lovely. Now they're older they can do so much together (not that they always choose to!).

Holidays and days out have always worked well because they're close in age. So many positives. But as I said it is exhausting.

GeronimoH · 07/08/2019 16:12

My son is 18 months and we are TTC #2. I think the smaller age gap is preferable having siblings myself that are 10+ years younger than me. I am apprehensive about it because my son is not a very good sleeper and long term they will need to share a room.
He is very independent already but does have green eyes when i cuddle other babies. I have bought a doll and give it lots of love to try and help the transition... who knows if it will work lol

MumOfTwoMasterOfNone · 07/08/2019 18:30

22 months between our DC. It was planned as I wanted to get it all out of the way
It was hard as eldest was young and my DP worked away, so I had a baby and a toddler to contend with alone. Now they're a bit older, it's mostly great. They can be entertained by the same things on holiday for example, watch the same TV/play the same games and have roughly the same bedtime. I also had time with DS while I was on maternity and they'll have a big overlap at school, so we'll only have one school run for 5 years.

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