Today I have a post for you from Christine with is very apt as our new addition will be arriving in the next few weeks. There are some great tips about introducing siblings and being prepared!
There is plenty of advice out there for expectant mums waiting for the birth of their first baby, but what about the second? No second time mummy is an expert, so looking for advice and tips from others is really important. As exciting as this time may be, you may also be pretty terrified, so it is really helpful to start planning ahead, ready for when the new arrival turns up!
Steel yourself!
There’s one thing repeated by friends, fellow blog writers and parenting experts. It’s that the arrival of your second child is more life-changing than having your first. It’s hard to believe, at first. I mean, how much more tired is it possible to be? Well, according to the evidence I have uncovered, the answer is more than you think. It makes sense, I guess. When you have your first baby, your sleep pattern might be disturbed, but you can sleep when they sleep. That’s just not going to be possible for number two because you have to be around for number one. It’s going to be full-on, 24/7, with no respite. So, steel yourself for some sleepless nights, days and, if you’re unlucky, months!
Talk things through with Big Brother/Sister
Having a second baby is going to be an even bigger whirlwind for the older sibling. They have spent their entire lives being the centre of attention and have enjoyed a lot of one-on-one time. You just aren’t going to have that time to give anymore and it will come as a shock to them. The trouble is, unless they are a lot older, they won’t really understand why. The only thing you can do is talk to them and try to help them understand.
Arrange childcare for siblings
As your labour day gets ever closer, it’s important to have someone on speed dial, ready to care for the older sibling. As you can tell, this is already becoming way more complicated than having your first child! If you have good neighbours, it might be worth asking them to be ready for anything. If you have to rush off, you might not have time to wait for Nana and Grandad to pick Number One up, so you will need a few options to cover any situation. What happens if baby decides to come in the middle of the night? Though friends and family will often tell you that you can wake them up whenever, you may feel you shouldn’t! Mind you, on reflection, if you are having fast contractions, it’s unlikely you will care who knows about it, whatever time of day or night it is!
Pack a night bag
You should already have a labour bag ready to go with you to the hospital. But don’t forget, Number One needs a bag, too! We would all like to think we will be in and out of hospital in no time at all, but the reality might be different. You have to plan for every situation, and it there are any complications it’s going to mean your eldest may need more than a pair of pyjamas in their bag. They’ll also need their favourite toys, some of their best books, and piles of clothes. Not to mention the wipes, snacks, cups and anything else that they need.
Arrange photography
All new parents absolutely love a photoshoot for friends and their kids, it’s a great way to store memories. However, will you be in the mood for doing the same after giving birth? Perhaps not, but you will definitely still want some great shots of the new arrival. So, look into your options. You could either let your hubby loose with the camera, ask a friend, or use the recommended hospital photographer. Plenty of maternity wards have ‘official’ photographers that they use. It might be worth ringing up your local hospital and finding out. It’s worth choosing the best photographer possible, and look around for a cheap photo prints service that puts your snaps onto canvas. Get a few done to hang around your home, including that all important shot of both siblings. With any luck it will encourage instant love, happiness, and no arguments, ever!
Write your announcement cards
It may be worthwhile to cheat a little and write your announcement cards before the arrival, as you may be strapped for time once they are here! You may have managed to do it fine with Number One – and enjoyed it, too. But will you have the time with two little people to look after? Maybe not. So, if they are all written already, all you would need to do is get some prints made up. Then it’s just a case of getting them posted out as soon as possible. It’s just one less thing to worry about and I’m pretty sure that your family and friends will understand!
Give Number One a treat
Before the new baby arrives it would be nice to spend a special day out with your eldest. As I mentioned before, the birth of a younger sibling is going to have an enormous impact on her. It’s important to make a fuss of her beforehand. It would also be a nice idea to get her a present from the newborn. It might be a good way of getting into her good books before she realises exactly how much things are going to have to change! Bribery, you say? Absolutely! But, joking aside, it’s just an attempt to smooth over the transition from one to two.
Invite friends around for dinner
Well, if everything I have read is true, you’re about to become socially invisible for the next two or three years! By all accounts, it’s harder to find willing babysitters when you have more than one child under the age of five. You’re not going to be able to have quite as many nights off – and mornings – as you used to. And the occasional weekend away with friends just isn’t going to happen. So, maybe think about organising a goodbye meal for all of your friends! By the time you’re socially active again, you may be entirely unrecognisable!
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