Anyone else with a newborn and toddler and thinking family help would be quite nice after all if not for Covid?

[LittleChameleon]

We know we've been very fortunate relatively this year and I'm very happy but despite feeling reasonably confident this too shall pass and getting through days etc, I haven't been to sleep yet tonight and was thinking it actually would be quite nice to have a little bit of family support that was always kindly offered (pre Covid restrictions)

Newborn won't be put down which is understandable as very new, toddler is extremely active and having to think of lots of creative outdoors things every day to keep them happy and occupied (not in nursery) so definitely can't sleep when baby does in the day (even then though, would they be put down?! 🤨)

DH at work long hours sometimes away and can't really help, parents are already in a support bubble for a single sibling so I can't form the under 1 support bubble with them and we're in tier 2/3 respectively. I suppose they could push DC in pram for an hour or two outside come to think of it but they do live quite far away and impractical outside really as DC2 feeds very regularly so needs to be near me (when DH was home with DC1 he used to bring her up for feeds and then I'd go back to sleep)

I actually feel fine at the moment as got a couple of hours sleep last night, hopefully it's sustainable though as just occurred to me I don't even have the fall back option of accepting help at the moment! I'm at a loss for ideas

Anyone else?

Maybe expressing a couple of bottles and parents driving over to take kids to park for a couple of hours if they don't mind could work

I know single parents manage so not complaining but any ideas welcomed! I'm just afraid of falling asleep holding the baby or when I'm supervising toddler outside if I really don't sleep at all for a long period

I have a newborn and a toddler, and honestly couldn’t have survived without the toddler in nursery. We had her in full time for the first 6 weeks of the newborn, then dropping down to 3 days. Could you get some childcare??

I had no family near when I had my kids 20 months apart (in my 40s). Though I didn't have the sleep issues you have (my son was a dream but my second took a couple hours to settle at night but then slept ok), my toddler was already in nursery
two full days a week. This allowed bonding time with my new baby, as well as me knowing that my toddler was activecand stimulated a couple days a week.
I had a strict routine with my kids at night though and by three months my daughter settled well at night and I was not particularly sleep deprived. But paying for some daycare, if you can afford to, really helped.

Yes. I can’t wait for family to be able to come and give us a bit of a hand. Haven’t had any support since DS was born and spend a lot of time alone. Exhausted! Looking forward to that extra help.

Possibly a couple of mornings childcare coming up which will really benefit DD although I feel uneasy about lack of settling in to begin with

I know I said I was happy and grateful which I am, but feeling a bit down today. Toddler struggling with emotions, trying to get them both outside as much as I can for walks but finding it tiring breastfeeding in the rain and mud etc etc. The next few months just feel a bit overwhelming!

Not complaining, we're lucky, but I admit to wistfully remembering playgroups where I could sit in the warm on a proper chair to feed DC2 while DC1 gets stimulation and social interaction instead of sitting on a log in the woods or running after DC1 before they fall off the slide in the playground while balancing a latched baby 😅

Our library books are overdue but their car park is closed and kids section is closed and it feels a bit too hard to walk them both down the road to drop books off while DC1 screams to go in like we often used to. But I need to pull myself together to avoid the fine!

I have older children (6 and 10) and I'm really struggling with lack or a break and family support since March. They weren't overly involved but would do the occasional Saturday afternoon or overnight. But my mum says no childcare until they are vaccinated. It just feel relentless at the moment, so I really feel for those with really young children it must be tough going!! I would recommend getting some paying childcare, like nursery for the toddler. It'll make a big difference.

I feel for you, op. It must get very exhausting. Toddlers are hard work. I only have a just turned two year old and he exhausts me! Strangely, the days I’m in work are a bit like having a break as I get an hour for my lunch break (I work 3 days pw). Can you maybe start your toddler with one morning a week in nursery just so you can have a little breather? How old is your toddler? They might enjoy it!

I know the feeling. It is pretty relentless at the moment. We have not seen grandparents since february and will not until they are vaccinated. I am trying to get my 1 year old in childcare but it will only be work hours unfortunately and my DH works long hours and is often away. I haven't had more than 2 hours away from my 1 year old since he was born.