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We're Having Another Baby!

Welcoming Your Second Child

By Jessica Williams

It's so exciting to welcome a new baby into the family! And becoming a parent the second time around is quite an experience. There are exceptions of course, but generally you feel more prepared and know what to expect in the first few weeks. One of the biggest problems second-time moms face is making the time to relax. Because you are so used to a busy lifestyle with your family, you may find it very difficult to slow down. Reverting from the high-paced, toddler chasing lifestyle back to the slower, newborn lack-of-sleep faze can be challenging.

When you had your first baby, you probably enjoyed the luxury of staying in bed all day, nursing baby whenever he made a peep. Well, it's time to do this again! Make time to bond with your new baby. And remember, your milk supply will come in faster if you are relaxed and nursing on cue. You need time to emotionally adjust to giving birth and meeting the baby who has been inside of you for so long.

After those first few days are over, you may need to consciously make the effort to relax and nurse your baby often. Some newborns are very sleepy in the first few weeks, and may need to be roused to nurse. If you are busy with other tasks or your older child, you may suddenly find yourself with engorged breasts and a very hungry baby! Feeding your baby in the first weeks of life is a full-time, around the clock job.

Let's face it, caring for a newborn -- no matter how many times you've done it before – is hard work. For the first few weeks, you may feel like the days are longer – or that they all meld into each other, becoming never-ending. You have just taken on a new set of responsibilities, and you probably feel like you can't neglect the old ones. But try to look at the big picture.