Soon after I started blogging I wrote this
post - A tale of two babies. (Don't worry if you didn't read it, not many people
did!).
I make no secret of the fact that I found
Harry to be a difficult baby. Having had Mia I have realised that it wasn't just
me, compared to her he was a difficult baby. Although of course she had her
moments, in general she was a much more contented and happier baby. The key
thing was that she could last much longer between naps. It sounds like such a
small, insignificant thing, but Harry used to get so grumpy when he was tired,
and he was always tired (his tendency to start the day at 5am by the latest also
didn't help). Mia had so much more stamina, she could stay awake for several
hours and was generally contented for most of that time. It was such a
revelation to find that I didn't have to plan every single part of my day around
her nap time. I could meet with friends or go out, and not have to worry that
the baby would be due a nap and would therefore scream.
Harry did redeem himself though, and as a
toddler he has been very good. If someone took a toy from Harry he would grumble
a little bit, but then move on to something else. I noticed early on that if you
take something from Baby Mia that she wants, she will scream. If you take
something from her that she really really wants, she will do
the watch-me-hold-my-breath-and-brace-yourself scream.
I'm becoming a little worried that we are
about to start paying back for our easier baby with a stroppy toddler. What have
you found - does an easier baby make for a difficult toddler?
My son was a horrendous baby - very spirited and clever and hit milestones ridiculously early, but so strong willed and furious because all he wanted to be able to do was walk and talk. He was a non sleeping nightmare from the time he came out to around 18 months. Then, just as his peers were entering the difficult toddler stage and started to throw massive tantrums, he calmed right down and has been an absolute darling ever since = no tantrums, no difficult behaviour at all. he's 3 and a few months now and has been a joy of a toddler. I'm sure he just didn't want to be a baby and stopped being frustrated as soon as he could talk fluently. meanwhile, all the people whose babies I envied because they were so well behaved are dealing with horror toddlers...
ReplyDeleteHe sounds just like my oldest! I think he was just frustrated at being a baby. He does have strops, but not full on tantrums like I've seen other parents dealing with.
DeleteChester was a really good baby, so chilled out and relaxed. Then toddler stage hit and he was a walking nightmare. He will be 4 next week and has only just started to calm down. Millie is at the moment a really good baby too so I a fully preparing myself for a rematch of the last 3 years!!
ReplyDeleteOh dear, I think I need to brace myself!
DeleteIsn't it amazing that something that can fit into such a small pair of boots can rule your life :)
ReplyDeleteI know!
DeleteMy daughter was a brilliant baby and brilliant toddler but is currently a 'I know it all and I'm doing it MY WAY' 6 year old! My son is currently having terrible tantrums and he isn't even two yet so am hoping for a calmer one later on......
ReplyDeleteOh dear, so even if you get through the toddler years smoothly it can still all go wrong!
DeleteIt's funny how different they all are isn't it, what one child may do easier the other seems to be more difficult (from what I have seen from others). I am quite interested in seeing how different this next baby is to Alex.
ReplyDeleteIt is amazing how different they can be, when you think that you've done everything the same.
DeleteMy little man was a gorgeous little baby - so content and he slept right throught the night from 8 weeks (I was soo lucky!)
ReplyDeleteWe then hit the terrible 2's and he varied from a complete nightmare to an angel!
He's recently turned 3 and on the whole he is a lot calmer - but when he gets tired he has the most enormous temper tantrums!
Can't wait to see what our next baby will be like in December, when s/he's due ;)
8 weeks! My daughter has just begun sleeping through at 15 months, my son was about 3! It is fascinating to see the differences between your different babies.
DeleteMy eldest (now 11) was a difficult baby and has been the most difficult all the way through. The younger two (8 and 6) were good babies and are still a delight now!
ReplyDelete