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!!

Pregnancy by far. baby went in a sling, no problem

37 weeks tomorrow, DS is 3 this week. Daily dreading the words "mummy can we play cars and trucks please?". Hoping next DS is a more chill baby

Pregnant with a toddler I would say! I have DD1 who is 2.5 and DD2 (1 month old!) I was imagining dd2 to be exactly like dd1 who had bad reflux and would refuse to be put down for 4 months! This baby is a little gem who will happily sleep unheld for hours, loves the sling, doesn’t throw up and is overall very chilled! Feel like I’ve struck gold compared to how dd1 was
So yeah I think it depends on baby!

Pregnant with toddler was much worse. I got lucky as DC2 was easy and a great sleeper so having her in a bassinet or on a play mat was much nicer than inside kicking and giving me aches and pains!

Pregnant with toddler.

Once dc2 was born I could start developing strategies and working on things, I didn't feel so helpless. It was hard but less frustrating than being a landmass chasing an otter.

Depends on the newborn though, mine was quite easy!

Also sticker books were my lifeline for the early months. You can entertain the toddler one handed while feeding.

Newborn and toddler was a walk in the park compared to being pregnant, especially as I had great support from husband

Pregnancy and toddler.

Even with some post birth issues meaning I'm on painkiller waiting further treatment it's hands down easier than handling my toddler. He was 16 months when DD was born and it was so hard

Thanks again all, seems we have a few more votes for toddler and newborn 😬 I have everything crossed that my Dc2 is easier than my first, as for those also in my position on this thread! After another night of bracing myself to try and roll over every hour when my hip feels like it's been hit by a sledge hammer, I start to wonder if the sleep deprivation can be any worse I will inevitably be creating a sleep thread in two weeks now I have said that but we will see. I definitely feel a little more positive seeing the vote sway abit in my favor atleast

I found newborn and toddler harder, but I was very lucky to have very easy pregnancies.

Newborn and toddler by far. 19 month age gap and the first 6 months nearly broke us. Constantly felt like I was failing both while running myself completely ragged.

I’m now 8 months with third and feeling the crap pregnant mum guilt again but I’m under no illusion it’ll improve straight away once baby arrives. It’ll be better in a few months hopefully.

I have an almost 3 month old and a two year old pregnancy is definitely harder even though my oldest hasn’t been keen on the new arrival and his behaviour has got worse and he isn’t sleeping as well. I found pregnancy so hard towards the end and was really worried about having two. I have definitely found going from 1 to 2 easier than from 0 to 1. I also found the sleepless nights much easier second time round I actually feel more tired now she is sleeping through weirdly. Don’t feel guilty if you can’t do as much these last few weeks and if you have the tv on a bit too much pregnancy can be bloody hard work. Good luck with the baby iv found iv enjoyed my second so much more as I’m more relaxed and no how quickly it goes

Newborn and toddler. Apart from the early days of pregnancy when you’re chucking up every couple of hours, I don’t find pregnancy that restrictive for the majority of the time. Newborn and toddler though? Yeah that’s full on. I’m obviously in the minority though so I guess you’ll be fine! I will not be having a 17 month age gap next time though 😂

Pregnant with a toddler is tough. I found it hard too though when the baby was born and my toddler started competing for attention. I wish I'd have been a bit kinder to myself. You give everything you've got to one child, but that is a finite unit of yourself. Then suddenly that has to be divided between two children and it takes a bit of an adjustment. But that's all it is, it's not being a shit mum or your relationship with your first child breaking down, it's just a necessary adjustment. I wish I had realised that sooner. Another very helpful thing I found was to remember that when the eldest inevitably bashes their newborn sibling, remember it's just a form of communication and not a sign that they're are now a violent monster. Take every bit of help you can to look after yourself, 10 minutes on your own can be life affirming! You'll get through it and the reward is that wonderful closeness with siblings who are close in age.