GainesvilleMoms.com

My daughter will be 18 months when her brother or sister is born. My husband and I are nervous and scared because of the daunting task ahead of us. Any suggestions tips or stories about having two in diapers/ children close in age?

I think TripleAMom would be a good person to tackle that question...she has 3 under 3

My children are 20 months apart. I have a 3 1/2 year old girl, and an almost 2 year old boy. I found what worked best if I prioritized my daughter first, particularly at meal times. This was especially important because I nursed my son and new that for 20-30 minutes I could not attend to her. Then if she wanted to have my attention while nursing I would let her sit with me and touch the baby. In terms of having two children in diapers, I found it not to be a problem or too much extra work. I have taken a laid back approach with my daughter with potty training and waited until she showed a lot of interest in the potty. At about 2 1/2 I introduced her to the potty seat (the one with a step up ladder attached from onestepahead.com) at bath times and occassionaly she would pee, most times do nothing. I can tell you anytime I tried to increase the amounts of time she used the potty she resisted like heck, so I backed off. Now I introduced her to regular underwear and sometimes she has accidents and sometimes she does not. After about two weeks she is more making it than having accidents. I also let her wear pull-ups if that is what she prefers and when she wears them she does not go to the potty. I found a training video to help reinforce how to use the potty helpful as well. Don't worry about having kids so close in age, you'll make it.

Thanks for the encouragement and advice, nmomto2!

I had my first two girls only 15 months apart...we wanted more kids but getting pregnant that soon was an accident. I was a nervous wreck when I found out I was pg. I was nursing my first for the first 5 months of my second pregnancy!! Dr had a fit at first and told me to wean the 1st but then said as long as I wasn't losing weight and was eating very well that it was ok. So after the second was born the first two months were tough....but they always are right ....so then it was actually great because they made great playmates...until they became teenagers!!!! But that comes under a different topic!!

Just relax as much as you can. Remember to love ALOT on your first because you don't want her to fell abandoned. I used to sit while I was nursing the baby and let my oldest turn pages in a book while I read and nursed. Just try to include her in as much as possible. It was tough having two in cribs...diapers..etc. But on the bright side if you have a girl you won't need much in the new clothes department!!

Good luck and let us know if you need anything.

Mine are a little over two years apart -- not terribly super close in age -- but they are already getting to be friends. And that's what I've heard from other mommy friends who have kids closer in age -- they go through phases when they don't get along, but for the most part they're great buddies.

When I was pregnant with my second, I was terrified of the thought of juggling two babies. My oldest was 18 months when my second was born. But it turned out to be much easier than I thought! Being pregnant and caring for a toddler was harder, in my opinion, than having a toddler and baby . I think having them close like that, you are able to quickly jump right back in the baby routine. My oldest son was very interested in my second. And nursing wasn't too difficult. My older son would just play or watch. As another mom told me, it's not necessarily harder, but it is busier.

But when my 3rd was born, when #2 was 23 months and #1 wasn't quite 3 and a half, that was difficult! That's another story

Marianne

Our oldest son was just over 2 when our twin girls were born. So we had 3, under 3, still in diapers.

You may be surprised to find out how grown up your first baby is already. She will be so much help. Just include her in as much baby care as reasonable. It will make her a proud, big sister and she'll see the special role she has with a younger sibling in tow.

I feel much better now after all the advice and encouragement from everyone... THANKS!

I'm a little late here, but I'm another mother with 3 close in age...a 3 y/o, a 1 y/o and a 9 month old, all boys. I was very, very nervous, as you are, but it's all worked out very well. I found it hardest to go from childless to having one child, than from having 1 to having 2, and having 2 to having 3. At this point, since we're outnumbered, it's all downhill from here, so we're even working on our 4th. Just be sure to pay lots of special, one-on-one attention to the older, include the older in things with the younger, and you'll wonder at some point what you ever worried about. What's really cool is to see them all play together, and to watch my oldest give affection to and protect his younger brothers...kids are awesome, trust you instincts, pace yourself, and you'll do just great!

My children are 15 1/2 months apart and I love it! At first, it becomes a shock to your emotions and your body but the fruit of seeing your little ones so close is worth it. They are brother and sister and look out for one another and love each other even when they disagree.
They are now 5 1/2 and 4 years of age.