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For free parenting resources please check out the Early Years Alliance's Family Corner.

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Parenting

Logistics of 2 children

21 replies

SquedgieBeckenheim · 21/01/2017 13:17

This is probably a really really stupid question.

I I already have DD who is 2 and a half, DD2 is due to arrive in March. We've been getting everything ready (DD was prem so we don't want to be caught out again!) and so cot etc is set up ready. I intended to use cot as a safe place to put baby down while showering etc as I did with DD. However, it turns out DD can climb into the cot and likes to do so at every opportunity! So where do I put DD2 now? Bathroom is titchy, literally only space to turn around so can't put a bouncer in there and put baby in it.
DH works 12 hour shifts, so there'll be a lot of times when I need to do stuff and need a safe space up and downstairs. Plan downstairs is a playpen. Hoping DD can't climb into that!

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corythatwas · 21/01/2017 13:20

I had the additional problem of dd (3) turning over-excited/aggressive when ds arrived, so I couldn't safely leave them in the same room in the early weeks. I solved it by taking dd with me as much as possible and when that wasn't an option closing the bedroom door with a hook that was too high up for her to reach but would still have been really quick to undo in case of fire.

ODog · 21/01/2017 13:43

Shut baby's bedroom door and take monitor into bathroom. Toddler Watches TV in another room. Or baby on a soft blanket on bathroom floor

SquedgieBeckenheim · 21/01/2017 14:09

There is literally no space to have baby in bathroom! I wouldn't be able to get in or out of bath!
DD can open all doors, and I refuse to lock doors with children in rooms. I'd be scared if I were locked in so won't do that. I guess we could buy yet another stair gate to put on the door...
We have a dog also, so he's shut downstairs while I have DD upstairs in the mornings.
DD may be fine with the new baby, but I don't want her accidentally hurting it.

OP posts:

corythatwas · 21/01/2017 19:47

You don't need to lock it: a simple hook will do and is far less likely to jam than a lock. The baby won't know the difference if the door is hooked to or not.

Artandco · 21/01/2017 20:50

Bath or shower with toddler. That way they are trapped in bath or shower with you. Plus saves washing them again later

AbbeyRoadCrossing · 21/01/2017 20:59

Not a daft question at all. It is difficult at first but you'll find ways.

I shower / bath when both in bed. Of course baby won't have a bedtime at first but there will be times when both asleep.

Lots of places to put baby down when dealing with dangerous toddler antics e.g. basket, chair etc in a few rooms.

Distractions for toddler when feeding baby. This is when DS used to get jealous so we'd read stories and I'd join him on the sofa / floor / wherever he was.

By the way my first was premature but second wasn't so fx for you

skankingpiglet · 21/01/2017 22:18

As mentioned by Artandco, I used to put the baby somewhere safe and shower with the toddler.

As for the toddler climbing into the playpen, how do you deal with it when they try to climb the kitchen worktops, bookshelves etc? I can't be the only one who has a toddler who does this I'd use the same technique.

SquedgieBeckenheim · 22/01/2017 06:27

Dd is absolutely terrified of the shower! Not sure why...
She doesn't try to climb on work tops or bookshelves yet just into the cot or over the back of the sofa. We've made it safe and padded behind the sofa.

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colonelgoldfish · 22/01/2017 06:31

A baby gate it probably your best bet for peace of mind I'd say. I have 3 in total - they're everywhere! And just make sure DD is really well occupied whilst you go in the shower.

Bibblewanda · 22/01/2017 06:35

Can you not shower with the door open and put the baby just outside the door? I also have a tiny bathroom and that's what I did.

Mol1628 · 22/01/2017 06:44

I used to shut mine in his bedroom with the monitor but my toddler can't open the door. If you can't do that then I'd put a stairgate up.

chloechloe · 22/01/2017 08:32

Do you have a bath that you can put the bouncer in!? Mine is quite high so the toddler can't climb in.

For me evening showers were not an option with the post birth night sweats!

beela · 22/01/2017 08:42

At 2.5 she is old enough to understand that she isn't allowed to climb into the cot, so I'd start with teaching her that before dc2 arrives.

Other that that - shower when both are asleep or dh is around? And for other jobs baby could go in a sling, which would leave both hands free to do stuff.

Artandco · 22/01/2017 08:59

Çolonel - mine climbed baby gates, playpens and cots easily in seconds from 12+ months. They only work for very placid children imo.

skankingpiglet · 22/01/2017 10:56

Squedgie my DD used to be terrified of it too (although only if she was in the shower rather than the room IYKWIM), I discovered the problem was the water pressure. I set it to low and she was fine. I've slowly increased it back to normal and she's fine with full pelt these days!

BathshebaDarkstone · 22/01/2017 11:04

Yy to showering when both are in bed. It depends on your DD's temperament whether she'd just sit and watch Cbeebies while you shower, mine did.

SquedgieBeckenheim · 22/01/2017 11:23

skanking we can't alter the water pressure of the shower unfortunately, its a rather crappy shower! She doesn't mind me being in the shower, it's only when she's in there.

Chloe the shower is over the bath, so no I can't put baby in the bath while I shower.

Bibble I did that with DD when she was little, but doesn't solve the problem for DD2. I need a place I can put DD2 that DD1 can't get to her I fear.

She's not a "sit and watch TV" sort of a child. She's more of the perpetual motion breed! She doesn't even stay still when she's asleep!
Evening showers not an option as I sweat a lot while asleep, even when it's cold! Think it's because I sleep next to a human radiator (DH).
Think it's going to have to be a stair gate on the door to DD2's room, then DD1 will have two things to climb before she gets to the baby and hopefully I'd be able to jump out and intervene before then! Although then we'll be the crazy stair gate family as we'll have 5 in the house....

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TwigTheWonderKid · 22/01/2017 11:46

Car seat on the loo?

Artandco · 22/01/2017 12:12

I think I would leave baby in bed, and bring toddler into bathroom then. Allow her to do water painting (aqua draw) on floor when you have a shower only so it's novelty. Aqua draw mat and water pens about £10.

Artandco · 22/01/2017 12:14

I do think at 2 years they should be able to learn to not touch and wait for 10 mins though. So I would also encourage her just playing alone 10 mins in her bedroom whilst you get ready. Leave doors open and can talk to her and so can wander in and out showing you stuff or play in bedroom

RedCrab · 22/01/2017 14:51

We have a tiny bathroom - it's just about as long as a bath and sink, and very narrow. When toddler DS in the bath, I put the baby in the Moses basket or the bouncer and used that to prop the door open. So door open, baby in bouncer/ Moses basket just out in the doorway/ hallway but effectively still next to us.

Agree that at 2.5 it's good to start prepping her for a little more independence. If you are showering and baby is in the bathroom in a bounce just by the door, your toddler going in and out is ok - if she starts to fuss with the baby, you will be able to see and tell Her to stop. Showering in double quick time is also a plus

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