currently have 14month old and just found out I'm pregnant

[toomanylols]

So I'm about 5 weeks pregnant... My 14month old dd is quite the handful. This wasn't planned. How will I cope?

I had ds when dd1 was exactly 2yrs, then dd2 came along 22 months after that!

It was extremely busy and quite stressful, and I was ill after dd2 was born, but it was so worth it. I never had a double buggy, managed with a single, a backpack or sling and a buggy board.

They're now 12, 14 and 16 and I'm really glad they are so close together. We didn't plan dd2 ( my mirena failed) but she has been a total joy to us.

Congratulations!

Thank you all so much for your comments! They have inspired me!

I'm currently pregnant with baby no5. My ds1&2 have a 2 year 4 month age gap. Ds&3 have a 2 year 3 month age gap and ds3 and 4 have a 20 month age gap, I fell pregnant with this baby DD1 when Ds4 was 8 months old (currently 27 weeks pregnant).

It is hard and it's pretty hectic at times but I must say it gets easier as you adapt to your routines etc. For me the hardest jump was from 1 child to two children but it does get better.

It's totally normal to feel scared and worried, I still do now :) but you will be fine, close age gaps are lovely too, my boys fight like cat and dog but they are all very close and there is never a dull moment.

Congratulations :)

I have a love/hate relationship with these type of threads.

I'm 33 weeks pregnant and have an 11 month old.

I started off absolutely petrified and didn't think I would cope, now I am weirdly calm, like it's not sunk in properly!?

I have bought a double buggy and have a single pushchair that I will use with a sling.

I'm 34 weeks pregnant and have a very lively 16 month old. I was in an absolute panic when I found myself pregnant when he was only 9 months old, how would we cope? How could we afford TWO? What will work think? We'll need to move to a bigger house etc...

8 months down the line I'm excited! The positive are now far outweighing the negatives. We still have lots of DS1s baby equipment, clothes, etc...so have hardly had to buy anything. DS sleeps through now but we are used to early 5am wake ups (he's an early bird!) are pro nappy changers, have a good routine with DH and I'm used to leaving the house with a suitcases sized bag for every eventuality. I'm not completely naive and I know that it will be difficult but I think DS2 will just slip into family life and DS1 will be a great big brother. He's so young that he'll never know life without his brother and I'm so excited for the relationship they can have.

This is coming from someone who sobbed for weeks when I first got my BFP, now I can't wait!

Congratulations, you'll do great

My dd was 14 months when we fell pregnant. Ds was born 3 weeks before Dd turned 2.

It was tough and sometimes it still is tough but they have such a good bond with each other and ds just slotted in with her. She never made a big fuss or had a big regression because her brother has been here longer than she was on her own and therefore she knew no different

We are going to start off with sling + single pushchair combo but that's because a) we have a sling already and loved using it and b) DH is weirdly against 2nd hand buggies so a new double would be exorbitant.

But I am worried about being out and about with a newborn who needs to sleep a lot and not having a safe flat surface to plonk her on. Not sure what you do nap wise if you only have a sling and a pushchair that doesn't go flat.

What did you sling people do?

Not all doubles are expensive second hand

We had an out n about 360 which is about £350 brand new.

It's fine from birth but you can add a carry cot if you wish

I've always thought another 6 months + age gap would have made my two bearable!

So I'm sure you'll be fine.

Newborns are easy. (you only realise this once it's not your first..obviously!)

Anna newborn would just sleep in the sling, surely?

The thing I'm worried about is sleeping arrangements. DD co sleeps most nights. Christ knows where the other one will go, we've only got a standard double!

13 months between youngest two and my best purchase was a double mountain buggy. Yes it's tiring for a year or so but you'll get through it. Also get a second cot and keep them both in cots for as long as you can. This is no time to be having to deal with a toddler getting out of bed. Once mine were 2 and 3 years old it was great to be able to take them out and they always had each other for company.

thrill house I suppose I was thinking about when I'm out to lunch/meeting friends etc and am sick of having the baby clamped to me!

We got a second hand Oyster Max with buggy board on eBay for around £160. I love it! It can be a double or a single so for everyday trips newborn can be in the pram while toddler is on the buggy board and then for day trips (when toddler is likely to get tired or need a rest) they can jump in the seat on the pram.

rather than get a double/tandem pram would it be worth getting a buggy that is suitable from birth so can be used for newborn and toddler? If I'm out for lunch DS is usually in a high chair next to me stealing everything off my plate so you could put newborn down in there to give you a rest from the sling if older DC will sit in a HC?

I had a period of about 5 weeks ish when dd out grew/wouldn't tolerate being in the cocoon part of the Phil & Teds but wasn't old enough to be in the second up right seat and it was a pita. I loved to Caboo and it's a great sling but it is very hard to take a toddler out of a buggy and change a huge poo nappy with them kicking about with the baby in a sling. Also as you say Anna it's handy when you want to eat together to have somewhere else to put them or there will be the odd wonderful occasion when they both fall asleep at the same time and you can have a meal in a cafe in peace!
I'd second what pp said about childcare too. I'm a SAHM so for the first six months it was just me and the two babies at home (no family support really) and it could get tiring not having a break from them. It was a bit of a relief when ds started a morning a week at pre school.

About 16 months between my 2. Your 14 month old will be 8-9 months older when baby comes and might not be a handful then, but even if he is pretty soon after that he will be going to school.

Definitely get a double buggy even if you are intent on baby wearing etc. I only needed my double buggy for 6 months but it was a lifesaver at the time. My eldest won't get into a buggy now and she's only 3.

My eldest turned 2 just before his brother was born. It was lovely. They are best mates, fight of course but lovely having them close ish together.

My DD was 6mo when I fell PG with DS so 15mo gap. I won't lie, it was hard work- 2 under 2, 2 in nappies and I was ill for a while. First year passed in a bit of a blur tbh. BUT.. They are 3 & 4 now, really are good friends, always have a playmate and a sparring partner and get up to loads of mischief together! I don't regret it despite the tough times. Just don't say no to help, make sure you plan ahead (clothes, nappy bag, PJs, snacks, meals and bottles/feeds) do it all in advance, pref when partner gets home from work-give yourself half an hour or so away from kids in peace, and at your own pace, to get sorted for next day. Makes it MUCH less stressful! And: routine,routine,routine. Boring yes, but omg it certainly can descend into chaos if you don't! Only other thing I really needed was a few hours break every now and then. Ideally once a week to recharge your batteries but even if it's less it is still essential to maintain your sanity and give you something to aim towards! Good luck. You're in for a ride

I'm not getting a double buggy going to use a sling and also the buggy board with a seat. I know a few folks who have managed fine like that with baby and kids of 2 or older

OP I have a DS 11 months and I'm expecting too. There will be 16 months between them. This was planned (as well as we plan anything, which is not fantastically well) and I'm still terrified! I'm sure we will muddle through. Congratulations on your baby news.

I have a 15 month old and am 20 weeks pregnant with number two. I work full time and am absolutely terrified/excited in equal measure. I am planning to keep DS in nursery part time during my maternity leave to give me time with the DD and he also has a great time there.

What tips do people have for activities/classes you can do with a 19 month old toddler and a new born?

greenlizard, things that are enclosed and with people you know are best! I go to play and learn at the local children's centre, it's go a small outside area but everything is safe and enclosed so if I'm tied up dealing with dd, ds can't run off too far. We also go to a toddler group that I've been going to for ages so I know lots of the women there, it's ideal because it's loads of toys in a large room (no crafts that are hard to supervise with two) and lots of willing volunteers to help watch one whilst I change the other! The rest of the stuff we do are trips to parks, libraries and cafes. Parks are getting trickier now dd is getting a bit older as she's less content to be in the buggy and less likely to be napping whist ds plays, but it will be easier when dd can walk and when (if?!!) ds becomes a bit more biddable/bribable.