https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sat, 04 Apr 2026 13:48:17 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/can-i-have-your-best-advice-for-preparing-for-baby-2#post-2537753 Sat, 30 Apr 2016 15:11:21 +0000 Kemma 2537753@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I just had another thought, don't psych yourself out before baby #2 arrives! You might just surprise yourself with how well it goes and at the end of the day the only way out is through! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/can-i-have-your-best-advice-for-preparing-for-baby-2#post-2537747 Sat, 30 Apr 2016 14:43:43 +0000 mrsbubbletea 2537747@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@PinkElephant: so cute! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/can-i-have-your-best-advice-for-preparing-for-baby-2#post-2537676 Sat, 30 Apr 2016 11:41:54 +0000 MrsB2012 2537676@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@ms. pug: I was most comfortable using a woven wrap with a newborn. I had never wrapped before, but I learned 1 carry ( FWCC) practiced on my toddler, then did that with the baby. I'm a SSC girl at heart ( that's all I own now ) but for a newborn, I was much more comfortable with a wrap or ring sling. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/can-i-have-your-best-advice-for-preparing-for-baby-2#post-2537656 Sat, 30 Apr 2016 11:11:13 +0000 Corduroy 2537656@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>DD handled the new baby incredibly well. I was surprised (and somewhat disappointed) how DH handled it. It was a big increase in workload for him because he had to do a lot more for LO1. If that might be an issue for you I would set those expectations low. Remember every period is just a phase, you'll figure out how to deal, and it will pass. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/can-i-have-your-best-advice-for-preparing-for-baby-2#post-2537632 Sat, 30 Apr 2016 09:53:30 +0000 PinkElephant 2537632@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Learn to baby wear, and just attempt to get out and go ASAP so you'll all be used to it. Don't focus too much on schedule for the new baby; let him/her fit into what already works for you and LO1. Don't feel guilty about shortcuts that make things easier as you get settled in - prepackaged snacks for your older one, simple meals like takeout or stir fry kits, ordering groceries online, hiring a cleaning lady - it's all totally ok! :)</p> <p>@junebugsmama: So random and OT but my 4 year old just saw your avatar and is obsessed with your dog. She just said "That little baby dog with the bow is so cute, that's why I'm crying"....hehehe </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/can-i-have-your-best-advice-for-preparing-for-baby-2#post-2537611 Sat, 30 Apr 2016 08:48:17 +0000 Foodnerd81 2537611@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Oh and if possible have your older one start some kind of preschool or drop off program ahead of time so they are used to it an enjoy it before baby comes- then they don't feel like you are just sending them away to spend time with baby, and you get a little break. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/can-i-have-your-best-advice-for-preparing-for-baby-2#post-2537610 Sat, 30 Apr 2016 08:46:55 +0000 Foodnerd81 2537610@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm not sure I have great advice since the transition has been pretty rough here, but I'll echo the lower expectations idea. Don't expect to do too much for the first few months- an hour long outing at the park is plenty activity for the day. But also don't be afraid to push it if you need to get out and do something- there have been days when I had play dates set with friends and both kids were cranky and hadn't slept well and I was tempted to just cancel, but I always am so glad I went so I can see my friends and talk to people who understand. </p> <p>@Cherrybee: so we did all the things with getting C used to daddy to bath and bedtime and MOTN wake ups before G was born- made no difference. For a few months it was just extreme mommy mommy mommy. I just don't know how else we could have eased that for her. It's been getting better but DH just went away for five days for work and she's is rejecting him again today. :crying: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/can-i-have-your-best-advice-for-preparing-for-baby-2#post-2537576 Sat, 30 Apr 2016 06:29:32 +0000 erinbaderin 2537576@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>If having a clean house is important to you, think about hiring a cleaner. We cancelled ours when the baby arrived because I was going to be home - that lasted 6 weeks and then I had to call and get them to start coming again. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/can-i-have-your-best-advice-for-preparing-for-baby-2#post-2537562 Sat, 30 Apr 2016 04:29:23 +0000 travelgirl1 2537562@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Showering at night and having everything ready to go for the next morning if we had an early start.<br /> Babywearing. Beco Gemini was my favourite when he was newborn.<br /> I wish I had bought a stash of paper plates for the first few weeks to ease dish washing.<br /> I made an effort to do a few mama and DD things once I felt well enough. Just popping to Starbucks for a cake pop without baby brother coming along made her feel special. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/can-i-have-your-best-advice-for-preparing-for-baby-2#post-2537550 Sat, 30 Apr 2016 00:57:20 +0000 Cherrybee 2537550@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@junebugsmama: Haha! That's brilliant! Fancy appearing in dreams of people you've never met on the other side of the world!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/can-i-have-your-best-advice-for-preparing-for-baby-2#post-2537415 Fri, 29 Apr 2016 19:17:14 +0000 mrsbubbletea 2537415@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Cherrybee: I've been thinking about you too! As a matter of fact... You were in a dream last night! Lol. Probably because I saw your picture on the baby wearing thread. :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/can-i-have-your-best-advice-for-preparing-for-baby-2#post-2537328 Fri, 29 Apr 2016 16:54:31 +0000 oliviaoblivia 2537328@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Be prepared to lower your expectations.<br /> A messy house is fine.<br /> Cold pizza is a good enough lunch.<br /> Screen-time is really not that bad.</p> <p>I have a three year old, a 16 month old, and a three month old.</p> <p>If your expectations are low you won't be disappointed.</p> <p>I worried for months about adding our third and it's honestly been sooooo easy! Getting dressed is a big deal in those first couple weeks. I was always so impressed with myself if I'd managed a shower. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/can-i-have-your-best-advice-for-preparing-for-baby-2#post-2537302 Fri, 29 Apr 2016 16:30:50 +0000 pregnantbee 2537302@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Pickles: Great ideas. Thank you. (And totally don't mean to threadjack) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/can-i-have-your-best-advice-for-preparing-for-baby-2#post-2537280 Fri, 29 Apr 2016 16:14:24 +0000 Mrs. Pickles 2537280@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@pregnantbee: mine were almost 4 years apart these are the things that really stuck out to me.. </p> <p>have some mama and kiddo dates before the baby comes, even if it's an ice cream sundae at home. focus some special time on the older kiddo because in reality, they won't get as much from you in the beginning.</p> <p>my son really liked the gift from the baby and doing small jobs as well </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/can-i-have-your-best-advice-for-preparing-for-baby-2#post-2537246 Fri, 29 Apr 2016 15:34:46 +0000 pregnantbee 2537246@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@ms. pug: Oooh, I'll have to look into that. Thanks! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/can-i-have-your-best-advice-for-preparing-for-baby-2#post-2537241 Fri, 29 Apr 2016 15:31:56 +0000 Pumuckl 2537241@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@ms. pug: I was gonna suggest babywearing too. I used a woven wrap. We still use it now at 15m. </p> <p>Making one on one time with LO1 was really important to me. So especially in the beginning I really made an effort to actually be the one to get DS to bed. (Mine are 21m apart). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/can-i-have-your-best-advice-for-preparing-for-baby-2#post-2537224 Fri, 29 Apr 2016 15:21:48 +0000 ms. pug 2537224@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@pregnantbee: some hospitals do sibling prep classes! My LO is too young but at that age I'd definitely consider it </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/can-i-have-your-best-advice-for-preparing-for-baby-2#post-2537221 Fri, 29 Apr 2016 15:21:04 +0000 ms. pug 2537221@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MrsB2012: looks like I'll be needing a new wrap! I have a bunch of structured carriers but which did you use for a newborn? I also have a ktan that I sort of liked with DS </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/can-i-have-your-best-advice-for-preparing-for-baby-2#post-2537217 Fri, 29 Apr 2016 15:20:01 +0000 ms. pug 2537217@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Kemma: luckily DH and I own a cafe &amp; play (children's play area + coffee) and it's around the corner so I am sure we will frequent there, especially because DS1 loves it! The free coffee is a great perk :grin: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/can-i-have-your-best-advice-for-preparing-for-baby-2#post-2537203 Fri, 29 Apr 2016 15:10:57 +0000 akcoffeebean 2537203@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Have some easy mostly independent projects ready to go for LO1. </p> <p>Crayola Color Wonder is great, and to me was worth the extra money for not having to closely monitor LO. The fingerpaint is his favorite but he also likes the markers plus coloring books. </p> <p>Duplo kits. We bought two new ones and LO1 will play with those while I nurse LO2. </p> <p>Stickers. lO1 is 2&amp;1/2 so foam stickers to stick on construction paper are a huge hit. </p> <p>We've had to relax on LO1's schedule a little bit, and some days we miss nap or bedtime isn't on time. </p> <p>Have a safe place to set baby down quickly in every room. My toddler spent the first week really testing boundaries and there were several times I needed to set baby down to chase the toddler. </p> <p>If you can swing it financially- a mothers helper, a day of drop in daycare or babysitter for the older child on days when you have doctor visits. Wrangling two at the doctors office is rough. And you can use the time with only the little one to run into the grocery store or another short errand too.</p> <p>If your oldest has an attachment to a nearby relative or friend of yours, ask them to visit just to see the older child. One of my son's "uncles" did this and I think it helped diffuse a lot of the jealousy towards new baby. </p> <p>A stockpile of your favorite granola bars and snacks. Some days I live off kind bars until DH arrived home. If you drink coffee pick up an extra bag of beans and stick it in your freezer. Have extras of staples on hand so you don't have to run out to the store or have a crappy day because you're out of your favorite treat and it's not worth it to drag two little to the store. </p> <p>Have a few easy treats for yourself on hand. Self care during nap time or while OH is home is vital! Maybe it's splurging on your favorite bath products, a killer mascara or spending a few minutes reading a new book. But take the few minutes to take care of you. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/can-i-have-your-best-advice-for-preparing-for-baby-2#post-2537200 Fri, 29 Apr 2016 15:08:11 +0000 pregnantbee 2537200@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Following! My DS will be 4y1m when baby arrives. I wonder if I should think of anything else relative to DS's age? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/can-i-have-your-best-advice-for-preparing-for-baby-2#post-2537188 Fri, 29 Apr 2016 14:59:30 +0000 MrsB2012 2537188@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>The things that made it easier for me with 2 under 2 was</p> <p>1) babywearing for the win!<br /> 2) I had to accept the fact my house was going to be messy during the day. Once I let that go and did all my cleaning late at night, my days were much much more relaxed<br /> 3) LO1 will probably get more screen time. They'll survive.<br /> 4) Get out and get doing things to get into the routine of being out with two. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/can-i-have-your-best-advice-for-preparing-for-baby-2#post-2537179 Fri, 29 Apr 2016 14:48:39 +0000 Cherrybee 2537179@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Kemma: Hey! Good thanks! I'll PM you! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/can-i-have-your-best-advice-for-preparing-for-baby-2#post-2537167 Fri, 29 Apr 2016 14:38:58 +0000 Kemma 2537167@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@ms. pug: get out of the house! Once baby grew out of the newborn stage (and had his jabs) we started going out most mornings and it was lifesaving because it gave our big girl something to do and got me out into adult company!</p> <p>And I also have a laundry schedule so that I don't end up with a massive pile of washing to deal with..</p> <p>And like @erinbaderin: said, babywearing is awesome!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/can-i-have-your-best-advice-for-preparing-for-baby-2#post-2537165 Fri, 29 Apr 2016 14:35:55 +0000 Kemma 2537165@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Cherrybee: how are you getting on? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/can-i-have-your-best-advice-for-preparing-for-baby-2#post-2537158 Fri, 29 Apr 2016 14:31:42 +0000 Cherrybee 2537158@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I wish we had spent more time getting DD1 used to daddy doing bedtime/ night wake ups/ mornings etc. Me being in hospital was very hard on E and, during the first two weeks I was home with baby, she would scream if DH tried to tend to her instead of me. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/can-i-have-your-best-advice-for-preparing-for-baby-2#post-2536915 Fri, 29 Apr 2016 12:00:43 +0000 2littlepumpkins 2536915@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Mine are 3 years apart but honestly my best advice is the same as with kid #1: just be prepared to roll with the punches! It gets easier, and don't ever assume something is going to be difficult. It's so not helpful, you'll end up prepping for things that never happen and still getting caught off guard by the weird things babies do. All babies are different. And IMHO it goes by faster with two (my second is easier though) so take pictures! :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/can-i-have-your-best-advice-for-preparing-for-baby-2#post-2536819 Fri, 29 Apr 2016 10:35:36 +0000 Maysprout 2536819@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think the biggest thing that caught us off guard was lo1 adjustment. Dh took over most duties for her bc while she liked her new sister and realized I had to take care of her, lo1 howled anytime DH went near the baby, she was very jealous of visitors looking at baby too. So I donno exactly but looking back, dh needed more time with the baby than he got. Dd1 is a daddies girl and lo2 wasn't so we just went the path of least resistance. He did get baby time every day but he's mentioned a few times how he wished he got more baby time when lo2 was a newborn. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/can-i-have-your-best-advice-for-preparing-for-baby-2#post-2536803 Fri, 29 Apr 2016 10:26:30 +0000 erinbaderin 2536803@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Have some easy meals ready to go - things you can defrost or things you can make in 15 minutes. And get a wrap/sling - something you can use to baby wear. I've work baby #2 more in 6 weeks than I ever wore #1.</p> <p>But for what it's worth, having a newborn and a toddler has been easier than I expected. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/can-i-have-your-best-advice-for-preparing-for-baby-2#post-2536788 Fri, 29 Apr 2016 10:13:01 +0000 shabang 2536788@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Expect things to be crazy for awhile, but know that you will hit your groove eventually. </p>