I have a 3.5 year old and am due DC2 in a matter of weeks. I've started to panic about juggling 2 kids and had a few questions I'm hoping some of you might be able to answer. Just for info it will be DH and I, as he's properly off work for 4 weeks but potentially longer, and might even be WFH for a while after. I know it'll be easier with the 2 of us to start but some ideas for when DH is back at work and I'm outnumbered would be helpful too. DS will eventually go back to nursery but don't know when that will be.
During night feeds, did your toddler wake up too? How did you manage this? DS sleeps 7-6/7 and does settle easily if woken but is very inquisitive and likes to 'help' with everything so I can just envisage him waking every time he hears the baby crying for a feed and coming into our room to help or because he's got FOMO.
DS can be very loud, he sings, runs around screaming, crashes his cars, occasional tantrums etc. How do you cope with newborn being woken every 5 mins? I can get him to play quiet things like doing his puzzles for a little bit or shut him and DH out in the garden and I guarantee he will have more TV/iPad than ever before, but any other tips/ideas?
Do you ever get to nap? We will mostly share the night feeds by splitting the night, so one do the late night and other early morning, but obviously then we're both tired, and have to get up and entertain a 3 year old and take care of a baby. So neither of us can really catch up on sleep unless both kids are being angels which I can't imagine will ever happen at the exact same time or at least not for very long. DS does not nap anymore so no chance of a family nap. DH and I both do not function well on no sleep but will obviously suck it up.
DS is currently very excited about the baby and I feel like he is going to be the best big brother ever, but, what if he has a change of heart once the baby is here? I'm expecting jealously, he's very attached to DH and I in different ways, but do we just ignore it? Not force the new baby on him if he's not interested? Obviously we will try and make sure he gets enough time and attention but it will be more DH than I for the first few days/week as I'm having a C-section so obviously mobility will be limited to start. I kind of think he will be a bit full on with the baby, wanting to change nappys, feed it, hold it all the time on his own etc and obviously he can't do that so how do we manage that and the inevitable meltdown that follows?
Did you have any kind of routine? When DS was a baby he got into a good feed and sleep routine very quickly. Slept through from 10 weeks old and napped religiously in the day. We did bath, bottle, bed every single night until he was about 2. Can't imagine that will be sustainable with 2 kids, so what did you do? We will try and keep DSs bed time the same and bath/shower him as and when needed (mostly during the day at the moment to kill some time lol) . I know babies don't need a bath every night so do you think doing the same night will be better or opposite nights to DS?
How on earth do you get out the house? Obviously I know it's not a massive issue right now but still...how? I admit I didn't venture out much with DS as I had anxiety about him needing a feed whilst we were out (reflux) and would always make sure we were home for naps (won't be doing that again if I can help it). But getting out for a walk each day would be nice. And will need to get DS to nursery when the time comes? Do you have to start getting ready 3 hours before you plan to go out? Preparation is key I imagine?
Any other words of wisdom? Sorry this is much longer than I planned it to be.