Coping with two...or not
Hey was really hoping for some advice from somebody who has had 2 kids with an age gap of around 3 years, my daughter turns 3 tomorrow and I have a 2 week old baby boy, trouble is I just don't know how to cope with two!! During the day I'm constantly worried over whether he will settle after his feed, how long he'll sleep for, if he'll scream his head off for ages etc, and my daughter is getting stroppy because of a lack of attention, I don't have family to help during the day and I feel like I'm going crazy. I just want to hear from someone that has been in this situation as I don't feel like I can cope with it all, I was only just getting used to having one really and now everythings gone insane again! Please if anyone has any advice or can tell me what this was like for them please reply. Thanks a lot
0
Replies
Try to take at least one opportunity each day when lo is asleep to play a game or read with her. It is best to do something that won't last too long tho coz it is unfair to keep leaving her to sort baby- that wud only add to her jealousy.
Also tell her regularly how special/beautiful you think she is and how shes such a good girl. Posative action from you will bring a posative reaction from her. Don't let her hear you telling visitors shes jealous or anything negative because this will only make her more jealous and if they ask how baby is doing tell them then say and ---------- is such a good girl.
She will adjust it will just take time and you need to stop stressing be calm and give both yourself and your daughter a chance to settle into this big change.
it's only been 2 weeks for you it'll take time to adjust and get yourself into a routine again and your prob. not getting much sleep at the mo. so won't be helping matters. things will get better for you i'm sure! have you told your hv how your feeling? i really started to struggle with everything when i went back to work and had to deal with everything else as well and have just been diagnosed with pnd!
i know the first few weeks are always stressful so try not to worry too much, happy birthday to your dd xx.
xx
i stick my older one in front of the t.v when i need to get something done where he's not running around! i know thats not the best advice but if it means you get 5 mins peace!!
did l/o stay settled asleep without the dummy? maybe it's not worth having it if it wakes he up... another thought i had was do you go out during the day? does l/o go to sleep in his buggy? and dd would like it and might tire her out!
know you didn't ask for my advice but thought i'd share
(email me too if you wanna chat)
Take care and let me know what the doc says about your meds