07 November 2011

Trying times...

A quick word from the blogger...

Hi there,

Just thought I'd let you know that I'm having issues with responding to comments on my blog. For some reason Blogger isn't letting me sign in as myself when commenting, this includes commenting on other people's blogs! Very annoying. So if you have commented on one of my blogs and I haven't replied please don't think I'm ignoring you ;-)

Now back to the blog...


As you know I recently had my second child, "Cherub", now 6 weeks old, and have a 34 month old toddler, "Popette", who turns 3 in January.

Lately, I'm finding it hard to spend quality time with "Cherub" when she is awake, which isn't that much at the moment as she tends to sleep a lot. (Or could it be that I've forgotten all about the baby stage and how long she should be up and asleep during the day. :-))

I try and get "Cherub" up before her feed and spend a bit of time playing with her on the floor (ie. tummy time) or talking to her, but "Popette" likes to join in and sometimes takes over.

With all the difficulties I've been experiencing with "Popette", I'm weary of giving too much attention to "Cherub" as I don't want to make her jealous. I've already experienced a couple of occassions where I've been holding "Cherub" and asked "Popette" to do something, and she's lashed out at me.

Don't get me wrong, she loves her baby sister very much, and constantly gives her kisses and cuddles. And if "Cherub" loses her dummy "Popette" will get it for her, as long as it hasn't fallen on the floor.

"Popette" goes to daycare 1 day a week, so I have that day with "Cherub", but any other time is hard as I have her at home with me and "Cherub".

What doesn't help is the time it takes to feed "Cherub". I've been struggling with breastfeeding since leaving the hospital. I've been having issues with a low milk supply, and after finishing a 5 week course of Motilium I've been finding it isn't fulfilling's "Cherub's" appetite. I am constantly giving her top-ups of formula, or just giving her formula without breastfeeding, which I also had to do with "Popette".

This means feeding "Cherub" can take a long time. By the time I put her down for a sleep, it is only an hour or so until its time to get her up and do it all over again. This is hard with "Popette" as I'm not having as much time to play with her, or get any of the housework done. When I do get a chance to have a little break, it's usually spent on the computer!

My hubby and I have tried to involve "Popette" with "Cherub", ie. being Mummy & Daddy's helper when changing "Cherub's" nappy, and when bathing her.

Any suggestions on what else I can do?

3 comments:

  1. I have 2 daughters age 2.5 and 4.5, but I remember this dilemma from when my youngest was a baby. I remember the guilt when I was sitting down to feed the new baby 'once again' and my 2.5 yr old saying to me "mummy please can we go to the park without the baby". I felt heartbroken for her, that our relationship had taken such a shift and I couldn't give her as much of my time. I found that preparing a few activities for my eldest ahead of time really helped, so when I sat down to feed baby or was busy mashing baby a banana or changing a nappy etc etc ... I would set out an activity for my toddler. Paper and stickers, play dough and shape cutters, fill the kitchen sink with soapy water and some containers and let your toddler stand on a chair and 'do the dishes'. Take a blanket outside, fill up a kiddy pool, pile up some books, let your toddler play while you feed baby sitting on the blanket. It really is a trying stage. But remember you are doing the best you can. Slowly as they grow older the age gap closes and they begin to play together more and engage in the same kind of activities.

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  2. Oh and something else that kept my eldest really happy and occupied at age 2.5 - 3.5 was a little dolls house and small puppy figures. She would pretend the puppies lived in the house and make them chase etc for at least 30 mins every day, now my current child loves the same game at the same age, so I wonder if it's a 'stage' thing and if your eldest would be occupied doing the same.

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  3. Thanks Lisa, there's some great ideas here. I will try and be more prepared lol. "Popette" wants to do things like jump on the trampoline or do some painting right at the moment "Cherub" is due for a feed. I'll have to try and think of things she can do on her own, rather than watch the TV.

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