Hello IM's!
My curiosity is beginning to give me anxiety, I'm pregnant with no.2 and already have a 2 year old son (going on 3 this year), I'm due in June. But, my question is, what are others experiences once having a second bub? Home life? How did the big brother/sister handle the new changes? I feel pretty confident that my son isn't going to try and do the whole 'jealousy' thing, I think his going to to be a fantastic big brother! He always gives his little brother a cuddle and kiss on mummy's tummy, we're always mentioning and talking about it, but his still very little to understand properly? My husband and I tried just over a year to get pregnant, 2 miscarriages and we finally succeeded! So we are very much ready but once I came into the 2nd trimester, I suppose it's normal to start freaking out about what to expect once bub is born and we're home?
What to expect when expecting baby no.2?
What to expect when expecting baby no.2?
Posted in:
Pregnancy, Baby & Toddler, Kids
3 Replies
My experience was for the most part great but my oldest (turning three at the time) got very defient and I didn't cope with that very well. I wish I had gotten this advise before no. 2. Get some advise on affective timeout stratagies, if you are not in need of them now you might need them when bub turns up and mr 3 is not getting that premium un cut attention. He might not be jealous but I think that all toddler's get their nose out of joint when a baby comes along. When you are exausted from bubs and mr 3 is having a tantrum things get very stressful and you may say or do things you never thought you would, so have a plan ready for those times. One warning, timout for 3 minutes (use a loud ringing timer), once you have said 'timeout' you must follow through. Calmly (fake it if you have too) take mr 3 to a place of your choosing and say " you are in timeout because ....... and you can stay here for 3 minutes" if he runs away, return him and restart the timer. Wait until all talking, laughing, yelling is done before you start the timer. Crying is allowed in our house because thats just emotional release. He will soon take the warning seriously. Spend at least an hour everyday while bubs is asleep doing something he loves and in that time give him hugs and kisses and praise. Hope it helps.
My son was/is a sweet little thing like yours and continued to be once his baby sister arrived when he was 2.5. We gave him a gift from his new sister when he met her to create a good first impression and it worked great. I tried my best not to interrupt his life as best I could (bit difficult when breastfeeding, but i could do it one handed while walking around haha!) and we praised him a tonne every time he gave his sister a smile or hello or a pat on the head. We pointed out how much she loved him and the way she smiled at him and watched him everywhere he went. He was pretty proud!!!
My eldest was great when I had my 2nd (and again when I had my 3rd).. I was like you & had him talking to baby & kissing my belly etc, he came to ultrasounds & dr apps so was super excited, once bubs arrived I had a little gift ready to DS1 from his brand new brother.. And when my parents & inlaws came to visit I asked them to bring a little something for DS1 (colouring book or matchbox car), but I also spoke to him about people coming to see the baby & bringing him presents etc because it's his birthday ...
Then day to day I had DS1 "help" me, getting wipes or a nappy for me etc & while I would breast fed during the day I had DS1 sit on the couch with me, put on a show he liked & we all got to snuggle while the baby had his "mama latte" (milk).
Good luck & just enjoy watching the bond between siblings grow ?