I just had my second child a month ago and while the nights are still sleepless and the laundry is never ending, here are a few things I learned along the way that are different this time around.

1. Labour
During my first labour, I was in so much pain that I swore up and down that I would never have another child (don’t we all). Well, this time around, I got an epidural at 3 cm and was smiling versus at 4 cm and experiencing hell.

2. Postpartum emotions
While I experienced baby blues after my eldest was born, I didn’t this time around (at least not yet). Yes, I still get emotional here and there (hello hormones); I am afterall, the same girl that cried through her entire wedding speech!

3. Breastfeeding
Just because I breastfed my oldest for 13 months, it didn’t make things perfect the second time around. There is still a learning curve for at least one of us!

4. Down-time
What’s the one piece of advice you got when you had your first child that you just hated?? “SLEEP WHEN THE BABY SLEEPS”, right? Well, with two kids, you can’t afford to sleep when the baby sleeps because now, you have a toddler to keep after as well. I know, it’s not like you napped the first time around, but with a second, you’ll wish that you had.

5. Help from others
When I had my eldest son, I hesitated getting help from others. I felt that it was my job and my responsibility to take care of my son, so why would I get someone else to do it. NOW, I’m practically begging for help from anyone that is free and able (here’s looking at you grandparents). I also couldn’t care less if people offering help do things “my way”. I’m just grateful for the free time (aka to do stuff with my toddler without breastfeeding simultaneously).

6. Baby Gear Pet Peeves
Oh right! Those damn onsies. I forgot how much I truly hated them. Why would anyone invent a onsie that doesn’t have buttons on it, that is required to be pulled over the delicate, unstable head of a new born? Fine, the mistake was made… but I’m sure there was some quality control along the way. NO? Has no parent ever written and complained about how inefficient these onsies truly are? I mean, it’s 2013!!! GRRRRR… I’m so mad just thinking about it.

7. Savouring the little things
I’ve also learned to savour the little things. When I had my oldest son, I was literally in a state of haze and shock for the first three months. Every time I looked at my son I just wondered how this “creature” came to be in my life and if I truly knew what I was getting myself into. To be fair, my first son was colic… so on top of the typical lack of sleep and lack of experience, I had a fussy baby that cried on end and there was nothing we could really do to help him. This time around, I vowed to really take it all and enjoy, to the best that I could, every moment I have with my new-born baby. To take the time and savour the newborn moments that I didn’t really get to enjoy with my eldest. And so far, it’s been amazing!

If you have more than one child, what did you find to be the biggest changes, if any, in your experience with each one?