Need Some Support from Mamas with Children Close Together

My first daughter was only 4 months old when I found out I was pregnant again! It was challenging in the beginning, but my girls are the BEST of friends. They always have a playmate they can relate to no matter where they go. It really turned out to be the best situation for us. My eldest daughter loved to have a LOT of attention when she was younger and since I was a single mom I couldn't always meet her attention quota. Lucky for she and I, her adoring little sister gave her plenty, so she was satisfied. Even though it was certainly not planned that way, I can't imagine it being any different.

I have always tried my best to give each girl some individual mommy time in the way they each prefer to connect with me. My eldest likes to talk and my youngest likes to snuggle... As far as your son losing time to be an only child, your second child will never be an only child, so I wouldn't worry about it. He'll adjust.

Congratulations on becoming pregnant without having to use fertility treatments!

It'll work out fine. There are pros and cons to everything, so don't worry about what your son "lost."

I love having my two youngest close together (another oops). It worked out great, and got it all over with.

i won't lie, it has been a little difficult. i have a 17 month old and a 3 week old. all in all, it is ok, just remember you can't do it all. some chores will be left behind. i'm trying to give as much attention as i can to my daughter, but she is a little annoyed when i'm nursing and can't jump up to play etc. i have a sister that is 11 months older than i. we were very close when we were young, and then fought often during our teen years. we are best friends now and i really love that we are close in age and not years and years apart. you will get through it! good luck!

I had two 16 months apart. I remember that it was most difficult for the first 6 months, until the baby could sit up and play with his sister. They were the best of friends or the worst of enemies. It is important to tell the oldest (when the baby starts to move) that it is their baby and they get to help you with it- give them ownership and let them help get ready. They are also awesome diaper getters when the baby comes.

Your feelings are totaly normal. When my first was 9 months old we concieved our second and I cried when I found out. I already had a baby how could I have another one. It took me a long time to start enjoying that pregnancy and I was even relieved when my daughter was late. Now my oldest two are 18 months apart and for the most part (they have been fighting a lot this evening) they get along great. They are great playmates and my eldest has never resented his little sister. The first six weeks however were really rough. I won't lie. Get help if you can, anytime anyone offers accept. Ask people to lick up milk from the store, graciously accept dinner and by all means if someone offers let them help clean house and do laundry. We are now expecting our 5th any day and it will only be 18 months younger than #4. This time around having babies so close is still intimidating but I know that it can be done and once past the newborn stage isn't too bad. Actually once baby is old enough to sit up and interact my experience has been that older siblings love to play with them and that actually gives you some time to get something close by done.

I can only give you the point of veiw from a child that had siblings close. my sister was born on my 1st birthday, so we were very close in age. Growing up people thought we were twins, and my grandma even dressed us like twins. Whenever I acconplished a big milestone, my sister did it a few months (or days later). I potty trained, and a bit later, she decided she wanted to be just like me, so she went in the bathroom, took off her diaper and started using the potty from that day forward. When it came to school, she was always there, followed me around, etc until I hit 6th grade.

Now we are 25 and 24, I have one child. a 6 yr old, and she has 2 kids, one is 4 and the other is 2, and their birthdays are 5 days apart! We fought a lot as kids (I wanted my space,she wanted to follow me around, I had honor classes and was an A student, she was in minimal level classes and a d and F student) Now that we are grown we get along great.

hope that gives you some hope and a different point of view!

Good Luck!

L.