Any SAHM with 2 under 2?

Our DS1 is almost 11 months and we are expecting #2 in November. They will be 17 months apart. We planned it this way but all of a sudden I'm feeling overwhelmed. How will I be able to BF one while watching the other? Im afriad DS1 won't get the love and attention I want to give him when #2's here :(

How did you do it??? Is it as difficult as they say, being so close in age?

*** I should add DH works long hours 6 days a week and sometimes i feel like im going nuts only talking to a baby all day. I'm afraid im really going to lose my mind and never be able to get out of the house again or do anything for myself once #2 arrives. Its already so difficult as is and we don't have much available family help. Any tips on how to get out of the house w/ 2 would be great too

Message edited 5/3/2013 9:25:42 PM.

Re: Any SAHM with 2 under 2?

I am a SAHM - just had my 3rd child..

but my 1st two were 17 months apart!

It def had it's moments...but in the beginning the baby sleeps so much during the day that your older will have plenty of mommy time!

But when you are breastfeeding make a basket for your older that you can quickly grab when you are sitting on the couch...this way your older can join you and you can entertain her/him while you breastfeed...I had books, toys, snacks, sippy cup, remote, phone, etc..this way everything is there to grab while you are feeding on the couch! We would read or watch tv while i fed...

I love that they are so close in age...they always have a playmate...now at 5 and 4 - they are best friends and are NEVER bored or alone! I dont remember a time when I didnt have 2...I say it is like my version of "Irish Twins" it was scary at first....but I def like that they are so close!

Re: Any SAHM with 2 under 2?

I work very PT and had 2 under 2 (DD just turned 2 recently). I EBF and it was/still sometimes is rough at times. You just do it though. Yes, there was some jealousy and still is here and there. DS is 3 months old and I've only gone out alone with the two of them twice. I think as they get older it will get easier. DD loves her little brother and is adorable with him.

Do you have any family around during the week who can help? I really don't, only MIL on occasion but I think that would be HUGE if you can have someone help out. I would kill to have someone watch the baby for an hour or two so I could take DD1 to the park.

Re: Any SAHM with 2 under 2?

So happy to see this post. Im having my baby on Wednesday. My DS just turned 16 months. Im so nervous about bringing home a new baby since my DS was six weeks early and in the NICU for 6 weeks. I plan on EBF and wondering how Im going to do it with my DS. I have my mother down the block from me and she will help out but still I worry about being alone with them. Im getting a double stroller, I plan on going out as much as possible and my goal is to shower and get dressed everyday because I know that helped out a ton when I had my DS. I also know that the first few months will be tough but it will get better. Im also nervous about leaving my DS while in the hospital however my mom will bring him up to see me and before I know it Ill be home.

Re: Any SAHM with 2 under 2?

Does having twins count?

It is hard,do not me me wrong,but u get in a routine and just go!

Re: Any SAHM with 2 under 2?

I was in this position last summer. My girls are 20 monts apart. I won't even sugar coat it! It was very hard in the beginning. Bf was very hard with a toddler! My dd ended up solely on formula by 6 weeks because she wasn't gaining enough and my supply sucked. I found the hardest parts were I had a csec so not being able tO lift my oldest caused a lot of tantrums. My oldest had zero interest in my youngest and she just wanted me to herself. During the day I was All ALONE. I felt like balancing a newborn and a toddler was really hard. They never napped together and I was exhausted from not sleeping at night. My oldest wanted to be outside all day and with very hot weather I couldn't leave my newborn outdoors. When they are close in age the oldest really still needs to be babied and of course the newborn needs constant attention. You feel like you can't possible do it all. Laundry, house cleaning all stacked up and truthfully I could have cared less. I kept telling my dh I didn't think we would ever be back to "normal" but by the time dd2 was 4 months it was better!!! Now they are 2.5 and 10 months and it's really great for the most part. Now my 10 month old is up running and that has created a whole new set of issues with sharing but at least they are sleeping and love one another now!

Re: Any SAHM with 2 under 2?

I am on leave for the next 5 months with 3 under 27 months. Life is crazy and I feel like I never stop but we manage. I am not going to lie the beginning was tough trying to breastfeed and I almost quit around 4 weeks but now at 6 weeks it has gotten much easier. I find getting out makes things much easier!
My to do list is endless and my house doesn't look the way it used to but it all works out.

Any SAHM with 2 under 2?

Oh boy for some reason this post just made me a lil anxious. I am due at the end of June and they will be 20mths apart. I'm most likely having a repeat c-section so I'm most nervous about the recovery with a toddler and a newborn

Re: Any SAHM with 2 under 2?

I was a SAHM mom to 2 under 1. My boys are 10.5 months apart. My second DS was a preemie & spent 4 weeks in the NICU. It gave me sometime to prepare but it was a whirlwind. I did not BF but did pump. It was tiresome & I did not last.

Once you can get into a routine, it helps. For me, i literally had 2 babies on opposite schedules in the beginning. Once I got it together, life was easier. Now at 3.5 & 2.5, It's much easier.

Any SAHM with 2 under 2?

Thanks for posting this. I'm a SAHM 8 wks preggo w/a 9 month old DS. I wasn't able to BF b/c he refused to latch. I pumped for a bit but my supply was horrible. IDK whats going to happen this time, hopefully DC will latch and my supply will come in strong. I would love to hear some more tips about organizing time, house work etc. I am struggling w/all of that now so I know it will only become worse w/DC#2 gets here.

Re: Any SAHM with 2 under 2?

Re: Any SAHM with 2 under 2?

I have 3 under 20 months! Twin boys and a newborn. Hiring a mothers helper was the best thing I did. She played with the boys and I just focused on nursing the baby. When the boys nap...so do me and the baby. There is always someone needing to be feed..changed...cleaned...soothed ..held. its very busy here! But there is so much joy and love ....to me its worth it. I love my little terrorist!!!

Re: Any SAHM with 2 under 2?