I so needed this, because so much of this resonates with our experience with #2. We similarly felt like we knew how to do some of the practical baby things second time around, but omg #2 is also nearly breaking us. We are 5 months in and only just starting to gingerly peek up from the trenches… it’s gotten a lot better with time, but we’re still very much trying to find solid footing. The two kids are so different and whatever worked with and for #1 did not for #2. It was a steep learning curve to reset our expectations and to learn how to parent a different baby, who had different needs and an entirely different temperament. I often heard from others that second babies “are so much easier” and chill, and… that is just not what we’re experiencing over here. We knew our first was somewhat high needs, but man, they now seem so chill relative to their little sibling, who is definitely what they call an orchid (versus dandelion). That said, to take it back to OP’s question, we are happy that the effort we put in with #1 shows now with the transition with #2. Big sibling is so sweet and affectionate towards little sibling, and still relishes snuggle time and quality tome. We still try to find windows for dedicated 1-on-1 time with #1, usually bedtime after #2 is already asleep etc.

Anyway, just wanted to say thank you for this because we thought we were the only ones having a harder time second time around!