2 under 2 - wow

[NorthLondonmum83]

It's not that I thought it would be easy but I must admit I feel slightly overwhelmed! Any tips for making life a bit easier...? Dc1 is 18 months, DC2 3 weeks. The sleep isn't that bad at all tbh (I realise I'm lucky with that and it might change at any moment!) it's more the exhausting days... Eldest is still in nursery half the week but I find myself in slight meltdown the rest of the time. Feels as doable to go to a baby and toddler group as to climb Everest.

[holly1983]

No advice except take it one day at a time and try your best to take so you time! It'll get easier😊😊

[Starfish28]

I don't have two under 2 but I did find a sling was a total life saver for toddler classes. I also clung for dear life to my friends. We always arranged to meet up at various things so i wasn't ever alone! Good luck

[NotAPuffin]

Definitely a day at a time. And don't expect too much of yourself. Getting through the day with everyone fed and more or less clean counts as success : )

My two are 19 months apart and while it was bad at the start (particularly from 5-7pm when they were both tired and cranky!), but now they're 6.5 and 5 and absolutely brilliant fun. They adore each other and like doing all the same things, which is great.

[buckyou]

I've got a 22mo DD and 8 week old. Luckily the 8 week old is a little angel or I think I would be going crazy right now!

I need to get out of the house everyday. Need to give myself an hour to get out but it's worth it. Have you any friends/family who will come with you to the park / soft play? Or visit people. I've never been to a baby group so not sure about them.. I think it would stress me having to be there for a specific time.

We also go for lots of dogs walks with baby in carrier / toddler walking or in the double buggy.

When we are home the baby gets abandoned a bit and the toddler has to fend for herself a bit. Character building! xx

[HerRoyalFattyness]

My youngest 2 are 19 months apart
Definitely just one day at a time.
I found a slung was a lifesaver. Baby loved being cuddled in there and it meant I had hands free for toddler.
They're now 3 and 20 months. They get on brilliantly, can play together while I have a brew, they like the same things. My DD was saying just the other day that DS2 is her best friend. It definitely gets easier as you get used to I.

[bigmouthstrikesagain]

I had 19 month gap for my first two. It was definitely taking one day at a time, using a sling and going on long walks with the double buggy at nap time that kept me sane. I didn't go to any baby groups after dc2 was born until she was sitting up as I could then seat her on the floor with the babies and chase ds around.

I had number 3 when the oldest was 4 (during his first term at school). They are now 12, 11 and 8, and they get on really well, it really does get easier after the pre school years.

[NorthLondonmum83]

Thanks all! I managed my first toddler play group with both of them yesterday and felt like I had achieved something incredible. I think I'm probably putting enormous pressure on myself to be enjoying it too as I'll go back to full time work before too long - then I'll miss them the whole day and wish I had two little monsters shouting at me.

[Whydidyoucallmethat]

I agree with notapuffin, if everyone is fed and safe you've had a good day. If you're all washed and dressed, you've had a great day! Don't expect too much of yourself. Easy meals, online shopping, accept as much help as you are offered. We had very little routine for dd1 as a baby but I found a regular time for getting up and meals made things easier when dd2 arrived 15 months later. In a way I was lucky as dd2 didn't gain as much weight as she should have so I had to feed her regularly every 3 hours. That made it easier to fit dd1s routine around that.
Also, it may seem like a mammoth task but try to get out every day, even only for a walk.
Always keep in mind that it gets easier, actually very quickly. Within about 2-3 months we were in a good routine. Mine are now 10 and 11 and, trust me, you will reap the benefits from about 2/3 onwards.
Good luck.

[JemimaMuddledUp]

Don't put too much pressure on yourself. Take one day at a time.

I had a 20 month gap between DC1 and DC2, then a 20 month gap again between DC2 and DC3. The early days are manic. Mine are now 11, 12 and 14 and as a pp said it is so much easier having them close in age.

[Ecureuil]

Mine have a 19 month gap and I had no childcare for DD1 at all, they were also both horrific sleepers. The first 6 months were a blur to be honest. I know we tried to get out of the house as much as possible (and luckily DD2 was born in the summer so we could at least get outside easily!). Second the sling. And take any help offered!