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.

Ready, Set, FEED!

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.

Going Into Overtime

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.

Your first priority is to take care of yourself. You are not going to be able to care for a newborn and an older child if you don’t get the sleep, nutrition and emotional support you need in the first few weeks. The best way to get your rest is to sleep when the baby sleeps. Don’t try to catch up on the chores -- you can do that when the baby is awake or assign someone else to help you out. Keep a glass of water around at all times, and try to eat nutritious meals that will boost your energy.

Postpartum Issues

Your body goes through a big adjustment after the baby is born. Postpartum depression is somewhat common, even if you didn’t have it with your first child. Nursing will help with hormone levels, and keep you feeling close to your baby. Try to recognize depression that affects your activity level -- especially if you seem to be alienating your partner or older child. If this happens, talk to your doctor.

When birth experiences aren’t what we hoped they would be, we tend to have resentment. A lot of women say that the first birth was the most difficult because they didn’t know what to expect, but every birth is different -- just like every child is different. If your second child’s birth wasn’t perfect, try to appreciate the uniqueness of your new baby’s entrance into this world instead of dwelling on how it should have been.

Nursing may also be completely different with this baby. Some babies seem to have an incredible desire to suck and take to the breast like pros. On the other hand, many babies need some coaxing and take more time to get the hang of it. Just because you may have experience nursing a baby doesn’t mean everything will start off perfectly. Get the support you need and remember that your little one needs time to get it right.

Your Helpers

If your mother-in-law calls and says she is flying in to "help you out," you might want to set certain guidelines. Most helpers want to do the fun part: care for the baby. And who can blame them? But, everyone must realize that this is your job. You need help around the house and possibly with your older child, not with the baby. When people ask what they can do to help, don’t be shy. Here are some things to ask for:

• Frozen meals. If a family member or friend loves to cook, ask for a few casseroles or other dishes that can be popped in the oven on nights when you’re tired.
• Shopping runs. It may be more difficult to shop when recovering from birth, or nursing frequently. Have a friend take your list the next time they shop for themselves.
• Laundry. With a newborn and a toddler, you can bet you will have a ton of laundry to do. If your mom is staying with you for a visit, ask her to run a few loads.

Remind your helpers that newborns nurse very frequently, and that you both need your rest. Talk to your partner about how much help you really need and then agree on how many people will be in the house at once, and for how long. And don’t be afraid to turn off the ringer on your phone and hang a "Family Quiet Time" note on your front door when you need to.

Luckily, you have the experience of caring for a newborn behind you. But big changes come when a new baby enters the family. With the right support and planning, you can help make the first few weeks with your new family member wonderful!