There’s an age gap of 12months and 3 weeks between my eldest 2 and it was lovely for them to grow up close together.

It’s really challenging at first, but take heart: it only takes a couple of months for it to get much easier.

Yep, be kind to yourself as you have to go back to learning how to do everything and budgeting time again. You’ll get into a routine and then be fine 🙂

Accept that it will ake a few months to find a routine that units you.

First few months are really hard. Accept all the help you can get and then you get into a routine. Only now around 13 months the youngest it’s getting easier

I have four under 6 with two of them under 3. It is definetly hard work but so worth it especially when they get to the age where they play all together and are a little more independent. My best advise is stick to a routine as much as you can. I find that planning ahead also works well to.

It is definitely going to be hard. I find that planning helps and at the same time not stressing if the plan falls apart… if that makes sense. Try to delegate and use any resources you have. Good luck!

You’re going to have your hands full, and probably feel like you’re losing the plot. Don’t worry its completely normal and you will survive. Delegate jobs to anyone that wants to help. And don’t sweat the little things.

like a mini tornado has gone through your house hahaha it is good once the older one gets used to the idea of the new bub, then they like to help out

well iv got two under two plus a 7 year old and well 3 is the number that really turns it in to a full time job no rest hehehe . but I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Hi.

I had my second one when my child was 2 years and 9 mos. By that time, she was already potty trained. Although she didnt go to day care yet at that time,

I wont lie to you. It is difficult. But tips are to introduce your baby to your eldest and make daily routine you do with baby fun. We play hide and seek while i have my bub in the carrier. We include her in bath time by letting her play with bath toys while baby is having a bath. We play catch with the nappies.

You will manage because well… simply you must and you will. Get as much help as you can. My bestfriend sometimes, she comes over and brings me food. Sometimes, other friends will offer to put my laundry up the clothesline.

Accept as much help as you can. YOu will get time management down to pat. It is tiring and days will come that it will drive you crazy. Hence, keep and ice cream for emergencies like that in the freezer. =)

I got advice from other mums and this is what I did:
*Get older bub a present “from the baby” and give it to the older child when they meet to form a bond. my 20mth old got a baby doll
*Always ensure one isn’t getting more attention than the other. If one gets a kiss, kiss the other child too. If baby needs feeding, tell the toddler. Some people use this time to get the toddler to play with something special or have a breastfeeding box (I didn’t bother)
*Always be prepared, think ahead, plan ahead. Precook meals and freeze them. When it gets closer to the 4 or 6mth mark when you want to start solids – do a batch of vegies, puree them and put them in ice cube trays (cover with gladwrap and label them) you can keep them in the tray or pop them into labelled snaplock bags.
*Keep lists, write notes, don’t think you’ll remember later – chances are you won’t.
*Get help where you can, leave a list of things to get done on your fridge so if people come over and ask if you need anything done they can check the list.
* Bathtime… always a disaster at my house… have everything ready so you’re not looking for anything. Nappies, pyjamas/clothes out ready to go. I always give a running commentary on what’s happening and what’s about to happen to minimise the toddler resistance.
*I kept baby in a portacot in the loungeroom while the toddler played. This was good and bad ie baby was close to us but toddler would throw toys in there
*Prepare toddler meals and freeze them – mini quiches are a hit here, homemade sausage rolls (hidden vegies)
*Plan your trips and consider do you really need to go anywhere without an extra set of hands? Not so much an issue when baby sleeps all the time but if they need their nappy changed and the toddler might wander off (happened to a friend of mine). With swimming – do you have to get in the pool? Use rewards and praise for good behaviour and to get them in the car, in their carseat etc.
If I could, I would have toilet trained the older one before having the next one. It was the hardest thing! The love they have for each other will be the most amazing heart warming thing…but being siblings they will also try and kill each other (don’t be surprised and I wouldn’t leave them unsupervised together ie if you need to go to the toilet, put the baby in a safe place).

Good luck. Mine are 20mths apart so although technically 2 under 2 for a short period, the 2 yr old still needs a lot of support (carrying, cuddles, verbal reassurance, she’s small so assistance doing most things ie park). I guess it’s different for everyone -ie will you have any help? We have none. Can you pre-cook meals for dinners, meal prep when (if) the children are asleep, will your elder child be in any sort of childcare? Do you intend to breastfeed? (I had to run after the toddler while breastfeeding a few times – amazing what you can do 2nd time around!) Random people saw me pregnant with my toddler and would come up to me and say “The first 12 months are the hardest”

I’ve never been in your situation, but I should imagine you’ll be very busy lol. From mums who have been in your situation, they often say it’s easier having 2 small children close together. You’re only stressing because it’s the ‘unknown’. But once it’s happening, you’ll work it out and find a routine. Good luck