About to Have Two Under Two- Any Advice?

This may sound silly. But try not to overprepare the other child. I am not sure how old your oldest is. I think sometimes we think we need to talk about the new baby and what it will be like when it comes as much as possible. I did not do this. My oldest was about 22 months. He knew he was having a brother, but that is about it. We didnt dwell on it. When the baby came, he was excited, but not overly interested. He LOVES his brother. Constantly kissing him and trying to love on him. We have not had any issues of jealousy. I do try to do a lot of stuff alone with the big one so he does not feel left out. Good luck

My best advice: When your daughter is brought to the hospital to see you and meet her new sibling, kick EVERYONE except you, Daddy and baby out of your room.

My daughter was just under 15 months old when I had my son. My hospital stay was the first time in her life that she did not see me 100% of the time. Plus, my in-laws had driven up to see the baby and were in my room when DH brought our daughter in. To top things off, my nurse came in to take my vitals (of course!) I had envisioned a lovely scene when she first met her baby brother...but she melted down and was a complete mess. She was absolutely terrified! Try to keep it calm and simple for your princess. She'll be a little older than mine, but it will be strange for her to see you in a hospital bed.

Other advice: if your OB/nurses offer to let you leave the hospital early, don't do it! Stay as long as you can (and your insurance allows), because it's the best rest you will get before you go home.

If you have any other questions, please feel free to ask me! Two under two is quite a challenge. Best wishes!!!

I love the responses you've received already. They are all great ideas. I have 2 sons who are 21 months apart - they are now almost 3 years and almost 1 year-old. Another thing we did in addtion to what's been mentioned is that we threw a party for our toddler the day the new baby came home. Our family was there to welcome us home and we didn't want it to just be about our new son so we got a cake and baloons and a little gift that the new baby "gave" him. We made it all about how it was a big deal that he was now a big brother and this was HIS big day. We made sure that everyone who came through the door congratulated him, as well as us. It made a big difference I feel. He was completely involved and he loved it. To this day he's his little brother's protector and he loves him dearly. It's very cute. And he thought it was super cool that the new baby knew he liked Spider Man (the cake we got was decorated like Spider Man). >: )

Congratulations! Mine are 17 months apart. My son actually did everything with his "baby" that I did with mine, so the doll was very beneficial in our case. Accept any help that is offered to you. One thing I learned is that if someone offered to "help", I needed to ask for a specific thing, i.e., run to the store for a few staples, come and hang out with the kids while I showered and just for some adult conversation. I also bought several new-to-him toys, puzzles, books, and videos before the 2nd was born and kept them hidden. Whenever I was feeling overwhelmed I pulled out something new. It distracted him and gave us both a different focus. Good luck! You will find your own routine and then someone will change and you will find a new routine.

First of all.....Congratulations!

Mine are 12 months apart so looks like you've got some good suggestions from moms that dealt with/prepared for similar sibling stuff. (thankfully I skipped that phase since my 1 yr old didn't know the difference, lol!)

What I did learn was how to use routines versus schedules for everything. Whatever routines work for getting your daughter to bed, to nap, to sleep, to play, etc., establish as you can as the baby gets beyond 6 mos and you'll find things clicking into place. The older they get, and the more your life is in change (mine is!), then the more important routines are versus "schedules" If we used routines to get older one to nap despite where/when, then the baby fell into the routine too and became an easier baby in many ways.

Good Luck!