What do you do differently with your second child?

[Kindlynow]

Lighthearted thread, here!

DS (nearly 3) and 4 month old DD. I care WAY less about what other mums are doing second time around.. I felt so awful that my DS didn't sleep through the night (until he was 2!) and spent many a night reading sleep books and using sleep consultants. This baby also not a unicorn and does not (and should not) sleep through, but I'm much more relaxed. I also bring her into bed with me which I never did with DS, fearing "bad habits".

I also have not done any baby groups with DD. I found them so stressful with DS.

I also protect my time better this time around - I say no if I don't want to do something (meeting friend/family) and make sure I have a hot bath and a nice dinner every evening so I'm not a shell of a human.

So, what about you mumsnet? What have you done differently 2nd time around?

I breast fed literally everywhere, while running across playgrounds, on the tube, on the beach, airports, restaurants you name it, I just whipped out my boobs.

Much the same as you OP.

More relaxed, don't give a fuck where my (4 week old) sleeps as long as he gets some! No anxiety around bad habits. I take a shower and get myself up everyday and leave my DS in his crib (fed, changed, warm, dry) and if he has a little cry as I'm showering, I know I'll be out in a minute or two so don't dash naked and dripping wet across the hallway in fear of him getting upset!

I wear him in a sling a lot more to get things done. And I'm enjoying sofa time just cuddling him and powering through MAFS Australia rather than stressing that I should be putting him down and doing some washing or something.

100% more relaxed this time around. Cuddles all around while washing/ironing is waiting…Also have an almost 3yo and a 4mo:) as PP said: if he cries a little while being safe on his crib while I’m taking 5 mins to myself that’s fine:)
There is one thing that I do exactly the same though: routine. Naps and night time sleep in his crib only, always same time etc. worked amazing for my son and he’s been great independent sleeper so I’m hoping this one will be too.

Had a bit more of a fixed routine around the toddlers schedule (20 month gap) She also went to her first toddler group at 10 days old. The sling was invaluable.

I also had a steep learning curve in how much a baby could climb and get into escapades.

I avoided baby groups as they always were at the wrong time and seemed to be so trivial and pointless.

I stopped exercise as I had no time.
10 years later finally I have the time to work out regularly again. 10 years!

Worry far less!

Have ds3 and Ds4momths, Not worrying about where he sleeps/getting him to sleep on own this time, DS1 got there in the end so I know I don't need to stress!
Happily breastfeed anywhere, think I only fed DS1 once Not in a house!
Use the sling and try to Not fret about housework

@SexPeopleLynn

Much the same as you OP.

More relaxed, don't give a fuck where my (4 week old) sleeps as long as he gets some! No anxiety around bad habits. I take a shower and get myself up everyday and leave my DS in his crib (fed, changed, warm, dry) and if he has a little cry as I'm showering, I know I'll be out in a minute or two so don't dash naked and dripping wet across the hallway in fear of him getting upset!

I wear him in a sling a lot more to get things done. And I'm enjoying sofa time just cuddling him and powering through MAFS Australia rather than stressing that I should be putting him down and doing some washing or something.

This made me smile so much. I do the same with watching shite rather than racing around sorting the house, and putting her down whilst I have a shower/eat.

No obsessing over nap schedules, bedtime routines, feeding, weaning & mealtimes. He just has to get on with it - happily he's the loveliest, cheeriest little guy who sleeps like a dream. Definitely a unicorn though rather than any skill on my part.

I do far more stuff for me than I did with DC1 - weekly mum fit class, skip out the door at bedtime once a week for Pilates, regular manis, watch TV in nap time instead of doing housework.

I did a lot less - fewer baby groups etc. Spent much more time at home rather than rushing out to classes and coffees.
I also cared less about naps & routine. Dc2 is so much more chilled than dc1. Perhaps it rubbed off somehow.

Id love to say I was more relaxed and I was in some ways but I had PND with my second and I was obsessed with getting her into a routine. Fuck knows why, I didn't go anywhere just spent my whole time cleaning!

I did put my second down on her tummy against all advice because it really helped her wind. I also breastfed everywhere and anywhere often while walking along or emptying a potty for the older one lol.

With my 3rd Everything was more relaxed and I did far more lounging around letting her sleep on me. Loved it!

I don’t have a second. And will not be having one either. But if I where to do things differently I would 100% not breastfeed, I would introduce a dummy, I would persevere with putting baby down for naps, I would go out more and enjoy the sun rather then sitting inside basically crying all day. I would spend less money on fancy gadgets that promised the world and deliver fuck all x

I'm taking a much longer maternity leave. We couldn't afford it last time.

Having a loose nap schedule as I wasn't very good at making sure my first daughter got enough long naps at the right times. The school run helps ensure we have a routine of sorts.

I'm stricter with added sugar as my 6 year old is a sugar fiend! I'm going to avoid as much added sugar as we can for the baby for a while.

Clipping the car seat on the pram - I left it in the car all the time last time but it saves a lot of time when we drive to school or pop into shops.
We've also purchased a small forward-facing only travel buggy for when we don't want the entire boot filled with the regular pram.

Vitamin D from birth - wasn't recommended 6 years ago.

Bought dresses, tights and baby trousers. This baby is a different shape and doesn't fit her sister's rompers and dungarees. I'm loving there being less poppers at nappy change times.

Taking more photos and videos as this will be our last baby.