You know those diaper commercials that show a mom with her first baby and she’s incredibly picky about something then they show her with her second baby in a similar situation and she’s wicked laid back? I always thought those were ridiculous commercials. I thought I was fairly laid back with my first baby. I mean, I had years of infant care experience and I already used that brand diaper. It’s all good. Then I had my second baby. I am amazed at all the things I’m doing differently with baby #2.
Using all formula
With my first baby, we did some formula supplementing but she was mostly breastfed. Baby #2? I nursed for her ten weeks. That’s it! She was a horrible nurser. She had issues latching, she’d cry and cry at the beginning of most nursing sessions, and because of all the above, I couldn’t keep my supply up. The whole family was miserable. Everyone was stressed out. So we made the switch to formula 100% of the time and never looked back. You know what? The whole family, baby especially, is much happier.
No cloth diapers
With baby #1, we did cloth diapers about 70% of the time. Basically, just at home during the day. If we were going somewhere or it was night, we did disposable diapers. Baby #2? I haven’t even touched the cloth diapers. In fact, I have them listed online to sell. I just plain don’t have time to deal with washing diapers. I can barely keep up with regular laundry! Not to mention, I just don’t want to.
Co-sleeping
With my first child, we didn’t co-sleep very often. When she was about 5-8 months, she might come into bed with us early mornings after she nursed so we all would get a little more sleep but that was it. With my second child, she was a “must be held to sleep” kind of baby for a number of months. We finally bought a co-sleeper that went next to the bed because it was so much easier and safer than having her in the bed with us or me having to sleep on the sofa with her.
Baby food
Kiddo #1 started cereal at almost five months old. She was so tiny that it made sense. Kiddo #2 started about a week shy of six months. She was not a huge fan of cereal but once she started on some applesauce, she was hooked! Also, with my first, I made all of my own baby food. Like cloth diapers, I just don’t have time for that anymore. Plus, we have WIC for this baby because of the formula so WIC pays for the baby food too. It just doesn’t make sense to pay for food to make baby food when I can get it free.
The things you do differently with your second child...ain't nobody got time! Click To TweetTraveling
Our first was such a great traveler! She could be in the car, no problem. If she fell asleep on the way home, we just transferred her to her crib when we got home, no issues. This baby is a different story. She does fine in the car…until it is her bedtime. She wants her bed, end of story. Even staying over at someone’s house can be a challenge. She wants to be home for bedtime. I find myself not doing things that would involve having to take her away for bedtime or even her naps sometimes. She’s such an awful sleeper.
Babysitting
This one goes the opposite than you might think. I was much more open to leaving my first for a night or a weekend. With my second, I hate leaving her most the time. I like to have the break, sure, but something about knowing she is most likely my last baby has me a bit more attached to her.
I do take as many pictures as I did with my first. That is one thing that is 100% the same. Having a smartphone does make that so much easier. But overall, not only is are my babies polar opposites, I am doing things different with baby #2 than I did with baby #1.
Did you do anything differently with your second child? What was it?
Leave a Reply