How does the love work with the second child?

[Purtyburty]

Currently pregnant with second child. It is planned and very much wanted, but now that it has actually happened, after thinking it never would, the anxiety is seeping in. I can't imagine loving a child as much as my first. Will my first feel as though the new baby has ruined their life after having to inevitably split parents' time and attention? Will my eldest love the baby? I know some of these questions can't be answered I will just have to wait and see. I am a SAHP so will have both of them for a couple of months before eldest starts pre school and worried about her feeling pushed out.

You will love the second as much - love expands, it isn’t finite.

You eldest may well feel a bit pushed out but that is normal and dealing with it is a good coping skill for life. Try and spend some time with your toddler separately to limit it.

Toddlers don’t really have the capacity to ‘love’ - they are just attached to parents/caters as the people who keep them alive. Some toddlers enjoy having a baby sibling, some find it annoying, some pretty much ignore it, the odd one is really pissed off. The best way to encourage them to have a good relationship is to encourage them to spend time together once they are old enough to play. In the mean time you can encourage the toddler to help and bring things for the baby. Once the second one is one or so, they will likely be really fascinated by their elder sibling.