The Second Baby Book: How to cope with pregnancy number two and create a happy home for your firstborn and new arrival Paperback – 7 Mar. 2019

I ordered this book as someone who’s trying to decide whether to have a second baby and when. I work with lots of new mothers as a therapist, and I know from my own and others’ experiences that deciding whether or not to have a second baby can be quite anxiety provoking.It’s worth noting that I am only two chapters into this book, but I am really loving it so far. Okwell-Smith’s writing is both informed but also really reassuring. The book seems catered to those who are trying to decide whether or not to have a second child, those already expecting, and those who are in the early days and months with a second child. She conveniently outlines the most helpful chapters depending on your stage in the second child journey.Her chapter on deciding when/if to have a second baby was particularly illuminating. I would say that Okwell-Smith is slightly biased towards encouraging people to have a second baby, but only very slightly. She presents really interesting evidence on the impacts of having children with different sized age gaps but rounds it all off like the reassuring mother that I’m sure she is - reminding individuals that there really is no right or wrong decision, and that whatever hand you’re dealt with, you’ll not only cope, but likely thrive. I found it quite comforting.For those who are still torn, she provides some very practical problem solving techniques specifically designed for deciding whether or not to have a second child that I definitely plan to put in to practice.I will be sure to report back with further thoughts when I complete the book, but if you are like me and are unsure about having a second child, it might be worth a read for the opening chapters alone.

Full of useful tips to get through the second pregnancy, introducing to siblings, postpartum with a newborn and a toddler, and beyond. Helped me feel much more confident and prepared to become a mum of two.

Currently 8 month's pregnant with baby number two I found this book very reassuring. I now feel more at ease with bringing a new baby home. Would recommend to anyone thinking of having another child.

What an absolutely brilliant book! I was so pleasantly surprised with how much it covered, for example what does the research say about age gaps, the emotions you may feel when pregnant again, how to prepare your firstborn for a sibling, how you may feel about giving birth again, what practical arrangements may be helpful ahead of the birth, all the complex emotions (and guilt!) you may feel about changing your firstborn’s world, what to expect when the baby arrives and how to deal with any tricky behaviour. Plus so much more!As always, Sarah references lots of scientific studies and child brain development. She is so respectful of both children and parents and refreshingly honest in her writing about her own childhood and experiences of becoming a parent second time around. I especially loved how she changes the language our society uses around the older child being “jealous”, “difficult” “angry” when a new sibling arrives to that of a child who has just had their world turned upside down and is grieving the loss of being the only child with undivided attention from their parent(s). I am 39 and can still remember how hard I found it when my little brother was born all those years ago!I am 4 months pregnant with my second child and definitely on the emotional rollercoaster already! This book was so helpful for me to read, and I’ve read it cover to cover but intend to revisit the last few chapters again once the new baby has arrived.Thank you so much Sarah for bringing out this much needed book!

Really enjoyed reading this, gave me great ideas to introduce my baby to my oldest

I have only one child and want to keep it that way, but I am a therapist who looks after mums with multiple children. I found this a great resource for my clients as it explains really well what they can realistically expect of their older child and what challenges different age gaps present, as well as offering practical advice on what to do in certain challenging situations like hitting, toy snatching etcIf you are thinking of having a second child, get the book before you make the decision.If you are already pregnant, get the book to prepare yourself and your older child as best as you can.If you are in the midst of it already, get the book to remain sane. X

I bought this because it was literally the only book I could find about having a second baby, in the hope that it would contain much wisdom.For £6 I think I got an appropriate amount of wisdom, which consisted of the same two very useful points expressed through many different examples:* Change practical things about how your household works for baby #1 as soon as possible (except potty training).* Don't stress about emotionally preparing #1 for the arrival of #2. It will be a shitshow no matter how many cute books you read together - or it was never going to be! There is no way of telling and no way to prevent or encourage a different outcome. Kiddy brains are too complex and their ability to hypothesise is too crap for them to understand what's going on or for you to predict what they will think about it all. So don't stress, go with the flow.I paid £6 for this wisdom so you don't have to.Probably more useful for other parents whose kids are going to be further apart in age, or twins, or other bits that I skipped over. But in general - could have been a blog

Good book when preparing for second child