How to prepare for bringing home a second baby

You are now becoming a mom for the second time, this might be a little scary because you are now remembering the lack of sleep. Plus you have an older child to take care of too. How do you prepare you , your husband and the first child for the newborn? Your family life will change considerably in the gap between the first and second child and the sooner you recognize that fact the easier it is for you.

More Responsibilities
With two kids comes more responsibilities, especially if the first child is still very young. Managing two children can be a rigorous task no matter how good you are with kids. Dealing with a second child is generally more demanding that dealing with your first, because with the first it was just want child. Your attention, time, energy were only focus on one person, now it is two.

So make sure you are ready for fluctuating eating and sleeping routines at least for the first eight weeks after your babys birth.

Taking care of "you"
You need all your energy, because after giving birth you become exhausted, especially if you have had a cesarean delivery or a traumatic childbirth. If in th efirst few weeks when you are at home, during the day try to get the baby on a schedule to take naps. Take naps with the baby, and if the second child is there too consider making that child take naps as well. There are nap times when you will be up, so during that time do your little chores, and also relax and take care of yourself.

Dealing with First Child
The arrival of a new baby is a big change for the first chil, which might deals the child experiencing plethora of emotions during this time. You have to pay close attention to the first child expecially if he/she is still young, look out for changes , such as withdrawal, not wanting to potty train or the child might start sucking his/her thumb. You now have to share your attention and assure the first child that mommy loves him/her.

Daddy also need to play an important role and share the responsibilities with mommy to care for both children. When mommy is tending to newborn , daddy is tending to first born and vica versa

When the first born is a little older there tends to be more trouble, as he/she is an attention seeker. Prepare yourself for intense sessions of mischief, unusual tantrums. You prevent this behavior talk to the child before the birth of his sibling. Also let the child help with the newborn, this help to create a sense of "belonging". Let the first child play and hold the baby , spend time with him/her, cuddle and in general fall in love with the little one. All this will help him/her get used to the new member in the family.