20MONTH AGE GAP
Printed From: OHbaby!
Category: Have A Baby?
Forum Name: Toddler Times
Forum Description: Is bubs growing up and getting into everything? How do you train them to use the potty? When do you start feeding solids? Share your tips and advice here!
URL: https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=24441
Printed Date: 27 July 2025 at 11:10am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 12.05 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: 20MONTH AGE GAP
Posted By: mrshouse
Subject: 20MONTH AGE GAP
Date Posted: 10 February 2009 at 5:01pm
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Hi anyone whose been through the toddler and baby stage please share how you got through it without pulling your hair out.?.....and im hoping it gets easier?...i have an 8week old and an almost 22month old girls ------------- http://www.baby-gaga.com/"> 
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Replies:
Posted By: busymum
Date Posted: 10 February 2009 at 5:38pm
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oo I'm hoping that you're just talking two kiddies there, not two 22mo's and a baby!
It certainly does get easier. I had a 17m gap followed by a 19m gap and it sure is exhausting at first. The 22mo can be entertained pretty easily though: balloons, fingernail polish (means you can both sit down), shape sorters, sprinkly glitters onto a glued piece of paper, water play, etc. The hardest part is trying to discipline and feed the baby at the same time! Another thing that will help you is to routine as much as possible, especially timing of meals. Enrol the 22mo in playcentre/daycare for a couple of mornings a week if you want to. If she still sleeps in the day (hopefully so!) try to spend that time with your feet up, not doing housework. -------------  |
Posted By: jaycee
Date Posted: 10 February 2009 at 7:17pm
I have 20 months between Amy & Sophie. Yes it can be very hard at times but also really good  . I have found the main things are to be as organised as you can so for example, if you are feeding baby make sure that there at lots of snacks and a drink available for your big girl. Also if she wants attention as soon as you sit down to feed, have some books close at hand so she can snuggle up next to you and baby (unless she is like some and tries to bop the baby  ).
Having both my two sleep at the same time after lunch has saved my sanity. I don't do anything for a least an hour of their sleep time, even now a year on!! We are still full on, esp as Amy has just started toilet training (gah!) Amy didn't start at her creche until Sophie was about 6 or 8 weeks and once she did, having that one morning with just a baby was really handy for getting stuff done - Plunket, doctors visits, supermarket.... The 20 months age gap is great - my two love each other so much and it is getting better and better as they get older. Amy was so excited when Sophie started crawing and I can't wait to see them once she is walking  . All the best for the next few months. PM me if you need to vent or unload!!-------------   
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Posted By: lilfatty
Date Posted: 10 February 2009 at 7:29pm
Ooo Im going to remember these tips!  ------------- Mummy to Issy (3) and Elias (18 months) I did it .. 41 kgs gone! From flab to fab in under a year  http://www.femininefitness.co.nz/category/blog - LFs weight blog
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Posted By: floss
Date Posted: 10 February 2009 at 7:50pm
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We have 19mths between Sienna and the twins and yep it was bloody hard at times altho Sienna is very independent but it did get heaps easier as they are now nearly 3 and 15mths. ------------- My beautiful big girl Sienna 15.04.06 Double the trouble double the fun Noah & Lola 10/11/07 |
Posted By: busyissy
Date Posted: 11 February 2009 at 12:38pm
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Its such a challenge and a worry isn't it? Especially hard in those first few weeks when you are recovering from the birth and sleep deprived. It does get better though.
We have 18mths between Dominic and Isobelle and its been hard, hard, hard! But as Dominic gets closer to 2 things have changed and it is getting easier. I found having lots of activities out for Dom to bounce (literally!) between really helps. He has a library corner and toy corner in the lounge where I can keep any eye of him when feeding Issy and I set up drawing at the table. I have a pile of books beside me when feeding as well, as he tends to want to be close when Im holding Isobelle. I give him as much attention as I can when she is sleeping so he doesn't feel abandoned by me, or rather to apease my own guilt and worry about him feeling like that. Often I will give him morning or afternoon tea (depending on time of day) when I feed her too. I always make sure there is a drink of water where he can see and reach it in case I have my hands full. I also try and involve him in caring for her, in a limited way of course as he is so little himself. He comes in with me to get her up and plays with her on the playgym. Watches nappy changes and baths. We sit and talk about her, point out her toes, fingers, nose etc. Its a nice way to all spend time together, a respite from that constant guilt that one baby is missing out. If you can swing it the having a nap at the same time thing is great. When they are really little it doesn't always work out but as your youngest settles into her routine more it will happen more often. When going out its all about planning and timing.Its hard getting out of the house but going to playcentre has been great for us too. There are lots of supportive mums, other children for Dom to play with and a whole lots of new activities. He loves it. I definately agree with busymum that feeding while discipling is the hardest but if I need to I just put Isobelle down for a few minutes and deal with it. Hang on it there in, it will get better even in just a few months (as everyone adjusts to the new family member and new routines) you'll probably notice a difference. 
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Posted By: mrshouse
Date Posted: 15 February 2009 at 11:53pm
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Thanks ladies.......its great to get advice from mums who have been there and to know that things will get easier...and thanks for all the tips ------------- http://www.baby-gaga.com/">
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Posted By: Maya
Date Posted: 16 February 2009 at 1:58pm
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We have 20 mths between lil miss and the gremlins too, and yep, the early days seriously sucked! Sienna and Mercedes were pretty much still babies when Chiara was born and were both fairly non verbal so communicating with them was really tough.
But they're now 27 mths and she's 7 mths and things are almost cruisy! (I say almost coz just when you think you've got a handle on it, something inevitably comes along!) They are communicating a lot better and their behaviour is a lot more settled, I'm actually enjoying them heaps, they are great fun. And Chiara is older and less demanding coz she feeds much faster and less often and is able to wait a few minutes while I tend to them if need be. I hope this helps, sometimes it's hard to see the light at the end of the tunnel and for us it wasn't a sudden revelation, it was more a gradual process and one day I realised that things were actually going really smoothly. ------------- Maya Grace (28/02/03)
 (02/01/06)
The Gremlins:Sienna Marie & Mercedes Kailah (14/10/06)
Lil miss:Chiara Louise Chloe (09/07/08)
Her ladyship:Rosalia Sophie Anais (18/06/12)
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Posted By: wellsini
Date Posted: 25 February 2009 at 2:36pm
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Hi all - I'm about to have no. 2 in 6 weeks and my DD is 21 months. She is just starting to understand that something is happening and wanted to get a book to read to her - do you have any suggestions? Thanks heaps! -------------  
 
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