Juggling two

[clairebear610]

I've just had my second baby. My first DC is nearly 2. I'm at home with them each day mostly alone and am really struggling with juggling both, breastfeeding my newborn whilst entertaining my older child etc who I don't think is great at entertaining themselves. Does anyone have tips or recommendations of good toys to entertain the nearly 2 year old? I constantly feel guilty that one of them is not getting my attention (especially the baby who seems to get less of me). We go out each day for a walk and play in the garden but they constantly want me with them holding their hand so tips or toy suggestions to keep the older child busy and to get them to play more independently of me would be great. Thanks

No advice just that I'm in the exact same boat. Sadly I reach for screen time more then I should when needs must! I figure I need to do what I need to do to get by.

My little boy loves puzzles so I do these on the floor with the baby lying next to us. I also put baby in rocker in kitchen to get on with chores in there while 2 Yr old plays in front room or put baby in moses basket in the hall but tbh he doesn't last in there long before crying but gives me a bit of time. My toddler is very affectionate to his little bro but very handsy so can't be left alone with him. Makes it so much more tricky!

Following this thread for some better ideas!

The baby only needs feeding, changing and feel you close. Wrap, and go out, pram and go out. I have 2,5 and 1yo and out time was the only thing that worked. Playground is your friend, also depends how "good" the newborn is and if they can be put down and sleep well etc. Sending virtual hugs, it gets better! They will entertain each other very soon (very soon) and you will get a lie in and hot tea.

Also in a similar boat, although DD1 is a little bit older. I talk a lot to baby about what big sister is doing – baby doesn't care what I'm talking about, just that I'm smiling and talking to her, and then big sister knows I'm paying attention to her as well. Sometimes I can also 'play' with DD1 mostly verbally, commenting on what she's building, asking questions or making suggestions about her pretend play, being served whatever she's cooked in her kitchen, etc. She also currently likes a game we (very creatively) call 'Can you?' where I ask if she can do various things (as wide a range as I can come up with, physical things like touching her head or spinning around as well as things like name an animal or find something red). I am trying to save this for moments of desperation so it keeps its novelty!

If you have patio doors or a low window, reusable stickers on the glass have been a winner for us starting at about 18 months. A long bath just to play can also keep my toddler busy for quite a long time (although obviously that restricts you and baby to hanging out in the bathroom).

Do you use a sling? I find that invaluable at the moment with my 2 month old as he will usually fall asleep in it but even if not, means I'm hands free to play with toddler.

I used a sling a lot when my second DC was a new baby and would have DC1 help me in the kitchen to make dinner or bake so we got a bit of time together. You could try a basket of toys your older DC doesn't play with much or hasn't seen before that they only get when you're busy feeding the baby. This might keep your older DC entertained by themselves for a little bit longer. Sometimes just putting the TV on to entertain them is fine if you need to deal with the baby. I'd sometimes set up boxes of oats/foil etc with toys in that they could play with (but this does depend on how much you fancy tidying up the mess afterwards!)

Once my younger DC starting napping less on me I would put them to sleep in the bassinet part of the pram in the front room and DC1 and I could play together so we got some 1:1 time. We'd do puzzles, read books, crafts, or just pretend play without the TV on or me looking at my phone so that it felt a bit more like we were spending quality time together.

I was in the same boat recently, eldest is now 21 months and youngest now 8 months.

I pretty much just fed, changed youngest - he just ate and slept for the first few months and didn't really need entertaining so could focus on the eldest more.

I moved to formula feeding when he was 4 months old which made my life so much easier for lots of reasons.

When you feed baby take some toys or books to the sofa in advance so if the eldest comes up you've got entertainment there that you can join in with whilst feeding too.

It does get easier, they now entertain each other and I can just leave them to it.