Any pointers, send them my way please
Show your support
The general idea is so that your 1st doesn’t feel left out/overwhelmed/jealous with all the new things happening and attention that babies need/get. And it helps keep them occupied when you need to attend baby. - I also bulk prepped meals, easy reheat meals & snacks or things like slow cooker dump meals/lasagna/etc. I did this to cover at least the first two weeks. - meal prepping in general - created a month or so of meals to make after those 2wks so I didn’t have to deal with a newborn, my toddler and all the overwhelm and fog that comes with it - just took some extra pressure off instead of thinking on the day like wtf am I going to cook today? How am I going to find time etc. and meant that I could spend more time with my 2
- utilised supermarket delivery services - after the meal plan, I used supermarket delivery services, set up a weekly shopping list for the meals I was going to be making (I created a different list for each of the weeks I prepped for so when it came time it was a matter of finding the shopping list on the app and checking out) - Rely on whatever supports you need: nursery, family, friends, go to play groups or library rhyme time, go for walks when you feel up for it. - make sure you look after you, have easy hand held snacks esp if breastfeeding - I used to have granola/muesli bars or something similar and lots of water every where and anywhere I was going to be breastfeeding. Get rest when you can, and if you can give yourself 30-60mins a day to do something for yourself (whether it’s a shower or bath, reading a book, listening to a podcast whatever it is that you like!). I found it just helped to keep me a little sane.
Know that it’s not easy at times and that you’ll probably have a lot of guilt. The exhaustion is something else. Especially towards the end of pregnancy (the day I gave birth to my second I was still throwing my 14m old in the air and chasing him around. And even at 38wks pregnant I was still getting them both out of the bath and carrying them to their room to get changed). He will also likely get super clingy as your pregnancy progresses. But it does get easier and the bond they have is incredible. It’s been amazing getting to watch them play, learn, grow and explore together. I have a 3yo (at the end of this month), a 2yo in June and a 7wk old. My two boys adore their baby sister, they try help me bathe her, give her gentle pats, love giving her kisses, waving her hand, attempting to help me do nappy changes & also attempt to help me feed her (even though I’m bf 🤣) If you have any questions I’m more than happy to answer them ❤️ And I apologise for the multiple/lengthy comments 😵💫
@Sharnee no need to apologize for the multiple messages, I loved reading them when u couldn't sleep. You are one of the first Moms on this app that have actually reached out on my posts.
Lifesavers for me have been, start teaching kind hands, this way when baby comes ur first child knows to be gentle, I got my LO a doll, that he likes feeding and rocking. And telling any family coming round to pay attention to your oldest child so they don't feel left out, they know who family is, the baby has no idea yet. Xx
@Elle we have been teaching him gentle hands. Your last comment I love alot because I see that happens all the time.
Some of this is for your first & some are for you: - I had just managed to get my 1st in a routine & sleeping through the night and this helped so much - Showing 1st gentle with stuffed toys/dolls, repeating and showing him gentle if he got a bit rough - Safe play space: I sectioned part of room off with a baby gate, there was a mellow mat and we had toy/book rotation everyday to avoid boredom. I’d feed baby in the play space with my 1st and while he was independent and liked playing on his own he’d often come over and pat babies head or show him toys, try talk to him so they could get used to each other and nobody felt left out. - I’d Spend time 1 on 1 with 1st and with both. - Get 1st involved around baby as much as possible. - baby backpack gift - a gift from baby to older sibling - basically you fill a backpack with some activities, toys, things your 1st likes, maybe some little snacks. , I included a little note from baby and a little brothers photo album