To ask what's harder, pregnant with a toddler or newborn and toddler

[Justasconfusedwithnumber2]

I'm over 38 weeks pregnant and have a 2yo. Needless to say I am floored and feel like I have become a spectator of life as I sit on the couch praying I dont have to move - but inevitably end up sat crippled on the floor playing choo choos. I have a flurry of people telling me it will be easier with a newborn but can painfully remember the 7/8 wake ups a night breastfeeding and wonder how on earth that can be easier with a 2yo to entertain during the day too!

So what did you find harder? Pregnancy +1 or baby + toddler?

I would like to add I am very happy to be having a second. I know its self inflicted. But I am also 38 weeks gone and feeling sorry for myself too!!

Both hard in different ways. Pregnant and toddler was physically exhausting for me. I was completely wrecked. Toddler and newborn was more mentally challenging and stressful trying to manage sleep deprivation. If 100% pick newborn plus toddler as being better though. My pelvic pain disappeared and I had a lovely baby to cuddle.

Pregnancy and toddler and I say that as someone who has had a super clingy, allergy and reflux ridden baby.

Pregnant. Not even comparable.

Newborn with toddler was harder for my second. But the newborn was just...very unreasonable. Quite a madam.
With third I found it easier with a 5 and 2 year old plus newborn because the newborn wasn't such a git.

I'm currently 3 months pregnant with a just turned 9 month old and I am not looking forward to the tiredness with a huge bump. It's hard enough now with health problems as well.

Better out than in!

Another vote for pregnancy with toddler. My toddler wasn't in the slightest bit bothered when his sister arrived. We established a rock solid routine with him while I was pregnant and our newborn just slotted right in.
I didn't BF though so that helped as DH did some feeds
Weeks 4-8 were a bit tough as DH went back to work and I was still recovering from my CS so couldn't do much with the toddler. If someone could have taken him for an hour or 2 in the afternoon that would have been ideal. Not so much to give me a break but I was more worried about him being stuck indoors and not getting fresh air or a good run about (he's pretty active)
But just for those few weeks. We were in the swing of things by week 10 and everything ticking along nicely.

Totally going against the majority but newborn and toddler for me by a long, long way. Heavily pregnant with 2 year old was hard but logistically managing her with a newborn who will only sleep on me and screams in the pram/car/sling is currently a logistical and emotional battle I would t wish on anyone!

Thanks so much everyone for your honesty. My first was very clingy (I blame a bad birth on both our parts for this as we consequently abused the baby cuddles 😂) and also reflux so I think I tried so hard to compensate that I mentally wore myself perhaps more than an 'easier' baby (although I cannot compare to anyone of course). However, pregnancy with my first was SO much easier than this one. I have missed the last 3 months of work due to preg related illness. I love my DS more than anything and it breaks my heart I haven't been able to keep up, and as a PP said, enjoy the last few weeks with him devoted as an only child. I have good intentions but my body doesn't want to comply!! It's so good to hear I might get a little bit of me as a 'good mummy' back when DC2 arrives 😁😁😁😁

Pregnancy with toddler was definitely harder here as well.
My dd1 was 19 months was ds2 was born. Of course there were times that felt like I was juggling too much but especially if you're breastfeeding, you can join them on the floor to play, in their room when they need to nap and so on.

Yeah I do plan to breastfeed which is daunting as it was very demanding with DS but he has reflux so was a 'little and VERY often feeder'. Of course I may have another refluxy baby

Another vote for pregnancy and a toddler here! Mine are 18 months apart. I had a tough pregnancy - sickness, low iron, terrible insomnia etc etc - and got pretty easy baby

Newborn and toddler for me. 14 months between my two boys and my lord it was knackering. The lack of sleep, everyone wanting something at the same time, the amount of nappies and mess. I don't miss them days. Now 8 & 7, got easier when the youngest could sit by himself, feed himself etc.

Newborn and toddler for me. 12 months apart but my newborn was an amazing baby (now 6 months old). Sleeps all night, never fussed, never had problems with wind etc. I appreciate how lucky I am tho and know not all babies are so easy!

I’ve got three teens, a 2.5 year old and am pregnant.. I don’t know what I was thinking tbh 😂

I’m hoping newborn bit is easier because right now it pretty much sucks!

I can’t advise as I’m in the same boat as you at the moment, 32 weeks and also have a 2 year old. But just wanted to say I’m feeling the same! The physical exhaustion is making everything a lot more difficult. I’m even finding short walks with her challenging now, (she walks so can’t even complain about pushing a pushchair etc). I’m looking forward to ‘getting my body back’ just so I can be as physically able as I was before the pregnancy and not feeling like I’m constantly walking in a baby brain frazzled exhausted fog!

The answer is neither...it’s a toddler and older sibling who finds their antics hilarious and eggs them on!!🤣🤣🤣 two moving targets is always harder!!

Newborn plus toddler. I had a very easy pregnancy and birth though. Sleep is was our issue 😫

I had 3 under 2 half.
New born
16 months
2.5 yrs

God it was hard but sort of survived

Pregnant and toddler much harder

Pregnant and toddler.
I remember cursing that toddler DS was so much nippier than me and I couldn't quickly get to him.

Wahhhhh defo needed this post!

28 weeks pregnant with a 22 month old and currently feeling dead on my feet! All planned and I'm excited however cannot was for this little arrival to vacate my body! Just got no energy feel awful on DD not being able to run around and play like I normally do and just being dead tired all the time. I do hope it's easier when baby number 2 is here 🤣🙈

She asked me to run so she could catch me today. I managed a slightly quicker waddle 🤦🏻‍♀️

Sorry but mine was definitely a newborn and toddler but then my pregnancy was pretty straight forward also my toddler was really very hard work!
Trying to cluster feed baby whilst the toddler wants attention, sometimes climbing on my back etc, not great! Broken sleep thanks to the baby and no time to catch up! I would normally nap with the toddler when preg, but he dropped that pretty quick and if he did nap, the baby would Inevitably wake up or both would sleep in the car. I adored mat leave with DC1, not so much this time!

Pregnant and toddler was harder. Once baby arrived, despite the sleep deprivation, it was easier than I'd imagined with a toddler and newborn, simply because the newborn was so portable! And of course, you no longer are pregnant and that is literally s huge weight off.

Very hard: the stage I am now, with a 4 year old and 2 year old who has just given up his naps. I have NO time to myself, I never stop and am nostalgic even for those pregnancy days when at least I could get some rest in

Good luck!