Soon to have 2.. nerves kicking in

[Eqei]

Lying awake stressed.
i know many have done it and are doing it but how? What are the coping strategies?

I’ll have a newborn and newly turned 2 year old in a few weeks.
What advice can you give me?
I have parents who can help now and then (total blessing). My dh is hands on but still can forget I need my own time for sanity (he does what he wants when he wants it feels)

toddler is a good kid, very much a mamas boy who we’re trying to help find another way to sleep other than me! not sure he cares for a sibling right now either 😅 but I’m less worried about that as I think it’ll be amazing for them both.

just wondering how I’ll cope daily when dh goes back to work, my first was a Velcro baby. Couldn’t put him down and he hated things like baby massage, the pushchair, the car etc.

just looking for some real life examples and advice really.

Every baby is different, this one may not be so clingy. I would really try and sort out the co sleeping before the baby arrives. A 2 year old is little more than a baby so they don't have much concept of a younger sibling.

Currently two weeks in to this with a 2 & a half year old and a newborn. It's been so much easier than I worried about! My first was a Velcro baby too and this one is so chill. He sleeps through all of the chaos and my toddler is obsessed with him.

Still getting plenty of time for the toddler and though it's still a big transition for him it's so much smoother than I could have hoped for. ❤️ Hopefully yours will go the same way.

Just had my second and the sling has been a lifesaver. There's a bigger age gap (4 years rather than 2) but the 2nd has slotted in. If you have any friends with similar age children to your older one then I've found that helps too. Going out seems better than staying in. The last 12 weeks have flown by so I'm sure you will find your rhythm :-) and don't stress.

The dream!! Glad it’s going so well for you x

Yeah, a sling may be your friend, even if new baby isn't clingy, leaves you hands-free as well! My mum said it was really useful when I was born and she also had a 3 year old and a 5 year old.

My oldest was 3 when DC was born so a little easier maybe as they understood what was going on but I think even younger ones can be more understanding than you think. Agree with @Dafi24 that going out is often easier than staying in, once you're past the initial nesting stage. Is your 2 year old in childcare at all?

@Echobelly my mom has my DS atm. Will look into nursery around September time - I wanted to get some quality time with him during mat leave again too lol.

I will defo use a sling. I used it so late on with DS.

A baby doll and a buggy so your toddler can comfort his baby when your newborn cries.. and he can change his baby nappy etc..

I'm nearly 4 months in with my DD and DS had just turned two when she was born.
First few weeks just take it easy and get OH to take 2 year old out for a few hours so you can get some rest!!
Sling is a life saver as DD not a fan of the pram.
Activities/toys you can easily play with while feeding.
Lower expectations. Everyday gets easier as you learn your new routine!
If I'm out for the day I literally prep everything the night before.
Enclosed parks and toddler groups.

Some days are better than others and that's ok!

I found putting DS into nursery a few mornings a week has really helped and he was so ready for it anyway. Also I did have major mum guilt for my DS but it did pass eventually 😂 it's mostly all good fun haha.

Three weeks in with a newborn and 2 and a half year old.
DD adores her baby brother and wants to do everything for him and with him. She also loves baby dolls and will sit for ages taking care of her dolls so we made her her own nappy caddy with real nappies and wipes and nappy mat along with all her baby doll accessories.
i will say though, her behaviour has been awful. Nothing I didn’t expect, it’s a massive adjustment and she’s been very overwhelmed and massively playing up for attention, we’re trying to give her as much one to one time as we can but breastfeeding makes that difficult. Im not looking forward to my husband returning to work soon.
im also recovering from a c section so I can’t do that much, I can’t pick her up which she only partly understands.
It’s hard, it’s lovely to see my older child become a sibling but it’s not been a breeze.
my second will just have to be a go with the flow baby!

I would work on your newborn baby getting into cot naps as early as possible, that will be your time to spend with your toddler or get stuff done round the house. Also invest in a decent baby carrier so you can be hands free!

Echoing this, my 3.5 dd's behaviour really changed and I wasn't prepared at all! She got very jealous and will try and hurt her brother by "accident" so I have to watch her like a hawk. She does say she loves him and he's her best friend though!