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I was a second an apparent dream baby but my younger sister was a terror.

I think a lot of it is personality. My 2nd one is easier in a lot of ways but some of that is she was just so much more sleepy and into sleep than her older sister was. She was just born that way, she didn't even cry right away when she was born - and not for lack of breathing and then slept most of her first day. My oldest looked around for hours after she was born. I thought there was something wrong with my 2nd bc she slept so much but was reassured plenty that's normally what babies do.

For me it was both, my second was bigger and knew how to nurse right away no problem. But then because he was eating well he was also able to stretch his sleep much earlier. I think generally he's just more easy going. On the other hand some of it was experience so less worry, I commanded my own house instead of listening to every stupid piece of advice people offered up, etc.

I think it was a combination of both, but I think it was mostly natural personality! He just slept and slept and slept for the first 3 weeks of his life, the first month was so easy for me. He didn't have reflux or much spit up... he was easily content, he NEVER cried unless it was one of three things (poopy diaper, hunger, tiredness). We never sleep trained him and he is a great sleeper. I didn't try to put him on a schedule, but he fell into it on his own. He was/is always happy too.

Being a 2nd time parent helped in the sense that when he did cry, I wasn't as phased or stressed out about it. I wasn't scared to go out alone, and just worried less overall. You kind of go on autopilot because you've done it once before!

Eta: Two things helped make life sooo much easier with my 2nd too - the RnP and Snuggabunny swing. I didn't have either of those with my first! I think it would've helped her because she had reflux issues and could not lay down flat - I'm sure the incline would've helped a lot had I known about these products!

I'm so curious about this too. LO was a tough newborn with colic, etc. Deep down, I'm hoping that the next LO will be easier because we're more seasoned parents in dealing with newborns.

ETA: My brother was the easy baby while I was the tough one with allergies, asthma, etc.

I am very interested in this as LO had colic and is all around a high maintenance baby. I'd love to think it's just be being a FTM and LO #2's are always easier. Sadly, I know I was my parents' second and I was the 'difficult, colicky baby'.

It was a combination that it was just her personality and that I knew exactly what to do and when!