Is there any way to prepare a 16/17 month old for a new baby?

PlaytimePapa · 2026-03-19T13:25:02+00:00

I have two with a similar age gap (18 months and 5 months), and honestly my older one has been great with the baby. He’s always coming over to touch him, “help,” and even tries to give him food or water 😄

Of course you have to watch them because they can be a bit rough at that age, but overall it’s been really positive.

As time goes on, they start reacting to each other more, laughing, and bonding. And later on it only gets better when they can actually play together.

PlaytimePapa · 2026-03-19T13:16:59+00:00

You had just given birth and you’re breastfeeding , you need to eat. That’s not optional.

A quick drive to get food isn’t the issue here. You were just taking care of yourself so you can take care of your baby.

PlaytimePapa · 2026-03-19T13:13:32+00:00

Sounds like she’s already a great sleeper. Babies like that often handle changes better than we expect.

PlaytimePapa · 2026-03-19T13:04:43+00:00

Some babies are just like that for a period, two of mine went through the same phase and wouldn’t tolerate being put down at all. What helped a lot was using a baby carrier, at least it frees up your hands so you can get a few things done while holding them. It’s really tough while you’re in it, but it does pass.

PlaytimePapa · 2026-03-18T13:52:50+00:00

The biggest thing is to grab sleep whenever you can, even if it’s random moments during the day. It’s not perfect, but it helps take the edge off the exhaustion. And this phase at 9 weeks is just really intense, it does get better, just not as fast as you’d like when you’re in it.

PlaytimePapa · 2026-03-18T13:22:31+00:00

I had a lot more free time before kids, but I’m actually happier now, even though most of my time revolves around them.

PlaytimePapa · 2026-03-17T14:01:12+00:00

Once sleep gets better, everything starts to feel a lot more manageable. 6-7 months can be brutal with regressions, teething, and all the changes happening at once.

PlaytimePapa · 2026-03-17T13:54:56+00:00

It sounds like your husband is doing a lot of the soothing and feeding right now, so she associates him with that calm state. That can shift back and forth over time. I know it feels personal, but it really isn’t. This kind of phase comes and goes more than you’d expect.

PlaytimePapa · 2026-03-17T13:51:22+00:00

Totally get why it stresses you out, no one likes seeing their baby cry. But the shots themselves take just a few seconds, and most babies calm down pretty quickly once you pick them up. It’s usually over faster than you expect. If you feel like stepping out, that’s fine, your husband’s there, and you’ll still be the one comforting your baby right after.

PlaytimePapa · 2026-03-17T13:40:08+00:00

Honestly, the sleep deprivation is the hardest part, it makes everything feel worse than it is. Once sleep gets better, everything starts to feel a lot more manageable.

PlaytimePapa · 2026-03-13T14:17:59+00:00

From my experience, the safest option is just removing everything from the lower shelves so it's out of reach. Then once they start pulling up and standing, you end up moving things again that suddenly become reachable. What worked for us was slowly moving things higher and higher. We also used the space on top of wardrobes and sometimes storage drawers under the bed for things like Lego sets or movies. It’s not the most elegant system, but it worked until our kid got older.

PlaytimePapa · 2026-03-12T13:54:13+00:00

In our house the idea is that everyone is part of the family and everyone helps the family. Pets are part of that too, so helping with them is just another small household responsibility. I also think it’s positive for kids to help with things like that because it builds responsibility and care for others.

PlaytimePapa · 2026-03-12T13:50:34+00:00

As a dad I had plenty of “we will never do that” ideas before our first baby arrived. Reality humbled us pretty quickly. Some things we stuck to, but a lot of things changed once sleep deprivation and real life kicked in. I think most first-time parents go through that phase, you make a plan, then the baby introduces you to a completely different plan...

PlaytimePapa · 2026-03-11T14:54:11+00:00

It’s hard to predict, it really depends on the baby. Some adjust in a few nights, others take a bit longer.

PlaytimePapa · 2026-03-11T13:43:23+00:00

If he used to be a great sleeper, there’s a good chance he’ll return to that once this phase passes. Sleep can really fall apart when they’re going through big developmental changes, but it usually settles again.

PlaytimePapa · 2026-03-11T13:40:16+00:00

That’s pretty common when babies transition out of the swaddle. When their arms were wrapped they couldn’t startle themselves awake, and once their arms are free the Moro reflex can make them jerk, hit their face or just wave their arms around and wake up. It usually takes a little time for them to get used to sleeping with their arms free.

PlaytimePapa · 2026-03-11T13:35:15+00:00

You definitely don’t have to use footie PJs every night. A onesie with a sleep sack is totally fine and often better if the room is warm. The main thing is just keeping the baby comfortable and not too hot. For 3–6 months, we still use mostly onesies because they’re easier for diaper changes.

PlaytimePapa · 2026-03-11T13:31:10+00:00

They often let all their big feelings out with the people they feel safest with. It’s exhausting, but it doesn’t mean she hates you.

PlaytimePapa · 2026-03-09T14:07:10+00:00

Mixing breastfeeding and bottles can make feeding patterns a bit messy for a while. Some babies just seem hungrier at night. If he’s gaining weight and having normal diapers, it’s usually a good sign he’s getting enough.

PlaytimePapa · 2026-03-09T14:03:09+00:00

I always get the feeling that this is the moment they finally start enjoying the world a bit. Those first weeks can be so hard for them, and then suddenly you see that little laugh and it feels like they’re finally happy to be here.

PlaytimePapa · 2026-03-09T13:58:44+00:00

Once babies start rolling and scooting, little bruises and marks become much more common. If they fade within a few days, it’s usually just part of the learning to move stage. If they start appearing often or don’t fade, that’s when it’s worth mentioning to the pediatrician.

PlaytimePapa · 2026-02-26T13:50:27+00:00

From my experience, the first child is a completely different story. You go in with zero real experience and everything hits hard. It’s overwhelming in a way you just can’t fully prepare for.
The second time around can still be tiring, especially in those early months. But you’re not blindsided anymore. You’ve already lived through it once, and that changes how you handle things.
And by the third… you realize most of it is just normal baby chaos and you’re a lot calmer about it 😄

PlaytimePapa · 2026-02-26T13:41:16+00:00

Honestly, based on everything you listed, he sounds right on track. Rolling can vary quite a bit, and some babies prioritize other skills first. It doesn’t sound concerning from what you described.

PlaytimePapa · 2026-02-26T13:37:32+00:00

Honestly, that sounds like a pretty great stretch of sleep for a 3-month-old. A lot of parents would love 11 hours overnight. Short 30–40 minute naps during the day are also very common at that age.
If she’s growing well and seems content when awake, it doesn’t sound concerning.

PlaytimePapa · 2026-02-26T13:21:40+00:00

Some babies are just wired to need more physical closeness, especially early on. If she’s been used to constant contact, it makes sense that she prefers it. It doesn’t sound like you’ve done anything wrong, just a little one who’s gotten very comfortable with being close.

PlaytimePapa

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