DC2 2 days old- when will I stop feeling so overwhelmed?

[Napqueen1234]

DC2 born 2 days ago- I know it’s such early days. She’s lovely but as a newborn constantly wants to be help which obviously we are just enjoying.

But I feel completely overwhelmed. Am breastfeeding which didn’t work out last time so feeling a bit anxious over whether that’s going well as there’s lots of going on and off on and off.

And whenever DC1 comes home from nursery I just come over feeling completely overwhelmed. She’s been brilliant and seems to love her sister but the thought of looking after them both alone in 2 weeks feels me with fear. I keep crying for no reason (the thought of not having time alone any more with DC1, the guilt of this huge disruption). I remember feeling full of joy after having my first DC and was so excited and this time I just feel terribly anxious.

Did anyone else feel this way? DH has been amazing which makes me even more nervous for when his paternity leave ends in 2 weeks. How did you cope with 2? Do you just get used to it?

Thanks :)

To be honest, I just a deep breath and went for it. When DH went back to work, I made up a little routine which worked around DS1's nursery hours, and just fitted DS2 in.

First week on our own, I took them both to a model village for the first time. Still one of my favourite days out (it rained, we had the place to ourselves).

I was very lucky. DS1 was a screaming, high needs, baby. DS2 was a gentle soul.

I felt this way when DC2 was born, I think it’s normal and to be expected. I thought it would never get better but it quite quickly did.

Don’t think about 2 weeks in the future, just take it a day at a time. You will look back on this time as a bit of a blur and your elder DC will be totally unscathed.

Hang on in there! And take all the support you can get

Congratulations! You can do it.
The breast feeding and everything else will be fine.
Start simple, there are no expectations. Get used to how to shower and get everyone fed each day before you visit any model villages.
I have to say, I barely left the house for 3 months after I had DS2, except to walk DS1 to nursery and back just round the corner.
But gradually we got the hang of it and you will too!
Day 3ish postpartum you get floods of hormones which can make you really tearful, so be kind to yourself. Just rest, breast feed and eat chocolate.

Totally felt the same. Make little plans, think of activities you can do. Sling the baby and crack on.

Just think come summer you’re baby will be able to sit and you’ll be on a rug in a park whilst your toddler runs around you and entertains the baby for you by feeding it daisys on something!!

Ah OP I am 37 weeks tomorrow with my second and have felt like this for weeks, so guilty and anxious about how I will cope with two. I just keep thinking how fast the newborn stage went with DD and it will probably fly by even quicker with the second and before I know it they’ll be two little people playing together.

Congratulations and hang in there, we’ve got this! 💪 x

Also as @Bringonspring says I keep imagining how nice it will be in summer once the initial shock has worn off and you can sit outside and let them play!

Mine are 4 and 2 now and I have to say it’s friggin brilliant watching them play.

Also, I much preferred all the baby and toddler groups second time round. You get to interact with people because your toddler chats to them etc.

Thanks for all your responses. Feeling emotional reading them (day 3 mental hormone surge I think) but excited for the future playing together 💕

Congratulations OP!!
Remember between day 2 and day 4 the 'baby blues' can hit, where your hormones can go crazy and you can feel really low and overwhelmed. How you're feeling is completely normal, don't think about 2 weeks time, just take it day by day. Your body has been through a massive ordeal so please be kind to yourself, lots of rest and taking it easy over the next 2 weeks. Let your partner take charge of your 2 year old and you can then concentrate on healing and cuddling baby 💐

How are you today OP?
The transition from one to two is hard but entirely worth it IMO. It’ll take a while but the first time you see them play together your heart will explode with happiness- mine did anyway.

Thanks so much for asking @Isawthathaggis feeling ok today. Breastfeeding is hard as baby is tongue tied to expressing and topping up which is taking quite a lot of time. Keep getting tearful as this happened with DC1 and I ended up not being able to breastfeed so upset that the same pattern is happening. My parents are here helping out with DC1 and sorting food etc which is amazing and DH has been fab :)