Inspiration for what to do with toddler and baby

[mumwhoruns]

Hello
Trying to be a bit prepared...I'm due my second soon and will have 2 days a week to occupy 2.5yr old plus baby. Am coming up with list of things I could do with both!
Currently include:-
Toddler group
National Trust
Dance and music class for toddler
Playdate

I can't take him swimming as they have no staff to monitor baby when I'm in the pool. I think soft play also a no go as I can't clamber onto stuff with baby. Ditto a crafty class as will have my hands full with baby.

What did you do with your toddler (v active boys in particular!) when you also had newborn to look after?

[winchester1]

Why would you accompany the toddler at soft play surely they play you drink coffee 🍵
Park/picnic, walk/treasure hunt, cbbc, help with jobs, read while baby sleeps, visit relatives /friend

[MrsLeighHalfpenny]

Get toddler to "help" you round the house. Walk everywhere instead of driving - takes time, and wears baby and toddler out.

[ODog]

Following as will have a newborn and a not quite 2 yo come May.

My plan is to get out every morning (mostly with baby in a sling( to things like:
Toddler groups
Park
Shops
Rhyme time
Play dates

Home for lunch and toddler hopefully a long nap and then playing at home/garden or chores in the pm.

That sound realistic from more experienced mums of 2?

[scandichick]

Bring a sling to soft play! Sweaty as hell, but then it's hell anyway so it's only fitting..

ODog, sounds great, good luck!

We spend lots of time in the park, baby sleeping in the pram and DD1 pottering around.

[cornishglos]

I have a toddler and baby 7 days a week and we're always busy! We have National Trust membership, meet friends, go to toddler groups, go to the park, go shopping, walk into town, paint, bake, play in the house, potter in the garden. .. never a dull day!

[Cantstopsmiling37]

Busy mornings (out of the house at silly o'clock) home for lunch&nap and pottering in garden short walks in the afternoons was exactly what I did during my mat leave 2 yrs ago with newborn DS and 2yr DD so that all sounds good.
(Now I just need to work out what to do with a just 4yr old, almost 2yr old and new born in a couple of weeks....)

[goodenoughmum88]

Have a 3year old and 6 month old. All of the above are good, plenty of outdoor/active mornings to tote them out, play at home/jobs etc in the afternoon, and a good sling is the best investment you'll ever make!

[WalkingBlind]

I have 3yr very active girl and newborn. We get the bus to town and visit the park or softplay. She either plays supervised from the sidelines or she's comes in the baby bit with us as she likes interacting with the baby.

At home she plays with arts and crafts and during feeds we cuddle for a film as she knows I can't play then.

Walking the dog with baby in the pram is a nice one and settles the baby too.

My DD doesn't nap at all and I'm SAHM who has to occupy them both 5&1/2 days straight (and newborn 24/7). It can get a bit repetitive and sometimes Cbeebies is my best friend

Also calling boring tasks like nipping to the shop for milk "an adventure" works wonders. I do what Dora the Explorer does and say "we have to cross the bridge/path/signpost/etc".

I'm going to try the library next week First time as she's learning to read. May be fun or traumatic depending! I leave swimming until OH can join us incase DD slips and I'm holding the baby

[Equimum]

I have a seven month old and a 3year old. We do NT properties, have membership to a local farm park, go to parent-toddler groups, countryside walks/ nature trails etc. We also do Softplay. We found a fairly small centre where DS (3) is able to pretty much go off on his own and I can monitor him from the ground mostly. I do take a sling, though, and do a bit of clambering.

[mrsmeerkat]

I had a 14month old and newborn so I liked soft play. I wizard baby around in circle ins the the pram until he fell asleep. Stuck toddler in the ball pool and had a much needed coffee for mself.

Library was nice also. Mainly for talking to the nice staff 😊

[mrsmeerkat]

not wizard. whizzed

[Candlefairy101]

I have a newborn and an 18 month old, everyone's ideas sound great BUT how do you get about and get them there if walking? I mean double pushchair wise or do you just have a normal pushchair and get toddler to walk?

I haven't gone far from the house at the moment and the anxiety of it is driving me mad!

[nephrofox]

With an 18 month gap I'd get a double off eBay or local Facebook selling group.

[ODog]

I will have a not quite 2 year gap when new baby arrives next month. I have bought a 2nd hand Phil and teds. DS is a pretty good walker but sometimes just refuses or can sometimes be a bit of a bolter at times so need to be able to strap him down. I also have a combination of slings suitable for newborn and toddler so it will just be a mix of slings/buggy/toddler walking. Whatever works for each journey really. I would defo invest in a sling though if you want to avoid a double buggy.

[mrsmeerkat]

Phil and Ted's could do without it

[ElleGrace]

IME getting out everyday even just for 1-2 hours in the morning tires little ones out for nap, stimulates them enough that good behavior follows and makes the day fly by. Incorporate little ones into your routines and chores e.g. go shopping and let 2 y o put things in the basket for you, go to the post office or the bank and talk about how it works, just basic errand running can be exciting for 2 y olds and newborn should be nice and relaxed in the car journey and hopefully sleep
If you are looking for an actual activity, go to your local community centre and see what's on. Mine does baby ballet, toddler music sessions, toddler groups.
Taking them swimming isn't totally out of the question. As soon as newborn is old enough to go in the water (about 6 weeks in a public pool) your focus would be on him whilst 2 y o had floaties or a rubber ring he sits in. If you're in the very shallow baby bit, you sit in the shallowest part with newborn lying on your legs (so his back is in the water but his face, tummy, arms etc are safe) whilst you watching toddler.
Some other places you could go are local farms, feeding the ducks, the zoo (our zoo has a path that goes past it, it's about a half an hour walk and the entire way you can hear the animals. Means we don't have to pay extortionate entry prices but little ones love listening to the animals and guessing which ones are making which noises), aquarium.
Alternatively you could do activities in your garden now the whether is nice- set up a little veg patch for 2 y o to dig in or plant some seeds whilst newborn enjoys the sun. You could also get a water trough for 2 y o to play in (any kitchen items such as a whisk, measuring jug, mixing bowl will make this loads of fun), have messy play outside which paints or different textures such as spaghetti or rice and lentils. Have a tea party with all the animals outside. Being outside is fab for all.
Sorry for the essay... good luck with whatever you do!

[Littleoakhorn]

Get out for walks, my dd (2) loves the buggy board. She also joins in with cooking, she loves making pastry. It goes everywhere and takes longer but that doesn't matter.

A sling is your best friend.

If you haven't already, decide whether you want to potty train before the baby is born or after the newborn phase. I wouldn't be able to rush round with a toddler, a potty and a six week old in a growth spurt.