2 under the age of 1

[Bekster]

I am a mum to a little boy Blayke (born 30/4/04) and am 8 weeks away to being a mum to a little girl (due 27/4/05).

I would love to hear from other mum's in similar situations. I'm interested in your thoughts and insights and how you cope.

I have a fantastic husband but he works long hours to support us so therefore the majority of the parenting is left up to me. Up to now it has been a breeze but I am starting to feel anxious on how I will cope with 2 particularly now that Blayke who was an almost perfect sleeper has now turned into a nightmare.

And to think I had always wanted twins!!!! What was I thinking :p

Bekster

[5under7]

Hi there. I am due any day now to have my 5th baby under 7. My first 2 were only 12 months apart and I loved it. My husband and I were both in the Army with him away a lot and no other family support. Our eldest 2 have always gotten on well and still do (at 5 & 6 years old). I was scared to death initially as everyone was giving me their 'pearls of wisdom' about how hard it was going to be, but I found it to be the opposite!!! I found that everything was just done in 2's. Change their bum if possible in an assembly line, in fact what I did for one, I generally did for the other and we got some real quality time together in the process. Of course there were trying times, but my 1 year old also learnt patience and loved 'to help'. We also made bath time 'DAD' time where possible, to keep him involved (this tradition has remained.....I get a break too!!)

My own sister and brother were 11months apart and if they are anything to go by then I hope that my 2 have half the friendship their Aunty and Uncle do, and so far this seems to be the case. They do fight but they also play a lot more harmoniously too! Just enjoy and good luck!

Linda ;)

[RuthK]

My 2 are 18 months apart and I agree that having them close is the only way to go.

I found it hard at first trying to find time for my older boy (who was still a baby himself and not understanding of what this new intrusion was all about) when my daughter was a newborn and I had virtually no sleep, but after the initial few months, this settled down. I encouraged my son to give his baby sister lots of kisses (his way of identifying with the new baby as something positive) and he still loves his sister to bits and is very protective of her. I also found that the second baby settled quicker more easily than the first because I had less time to rock her to sleep and to jump every time she cried. Taking them walking in their double pram is fun, as everyone has to walk up to you to check out whether they're twins or not! And now that my daughter is 1 and my son 2, they play together so much that I find their play actually gives me more time than only 1 child would, because they have each other and don't need me as much.

One thing I do recommend, is that you do find some time to yourself. Taking care of 2 babies is very taxing and not one our husbands will eagerly relieve us of. Set aside even a few hours every few weeks to go to a movie or chopping to chill out and remember that you are a person, not just a mummy.

Out of interest, to have 2 kids so close together were you nursing at the time?