tips for getting out and about with toddler and newborn please

[whatdoithinknow]

Just that really. Lil one is 3weeks and have nearly two yr old. What with Christmas and all we haven't really been out much but soon wil be and just wondering if there is anything that wil make my life easier. Already have a sling!! Thanku

I have a 8wo and 2.1yo and my tip is to just go for it! It's easier than you would think. The only thing that I still have to meticulously plan is how to get everyone in/out of the car safely. Oh and double-check your bag before you leave.

I had a double buggy and walked everywhere. I couldn't have done without it.

I have a 2 year age gap between my dd's and I used a double buggy, I loved it and it made my life so much easier.

I would also give them baths before bed (when I only had dd1 I used to bath her in the morning but it's easier to do it at night) and pack the baby bag at night.

Another vote for a double buggy! Saved my sanity

Check, check and recheck you've done everyone's car seats up properly.

The toddler is your 'danger' so to speak. Make sure you have a hand free to grab toddler at any one time!

I try to plan around feeds so as not to have to feed the baby when out as toddler won't sit still for that long.

Ask people for help - with doors, getting in lifts, grabbing runaway toddler etc..

Wear a coat with pockets and keep phone, keys and money in there. My changing bag is so huge that those vital things get lost in there!

Take snacks for toddler. Mine can be bribed with chocolate buttons.

Good first outing is to supermarket as you can get the trolley with one toddler seat and one newborn seat, side by side.

Can you tell I have a 2.1yo and a 16 wo?!

I've done it twice with my three (eldest was at school by the time I had third) Both times I've gone with the sling/small buggy option. Rucksac instead of a cumbersome change bag, too much potential for wiping out toddler with the change bag swinging down on them! Start off by packing your bag for all possible eventualities - change of clothes, snacks, book to keep toddler entertained while feeding baby. Plan your day around each event followed by drink/snack/rest. I remember a favourite for us was visit ducks, cafe pit stop, library/supermarket, home for nap, lunch, out for visit to friends. Don't attempt anything too ambitious for the first few trips. While baby is tiny it's actually pretty easy as they sleep for longish spells. IME it's more effort once they start weaning so make the most of it!

Plan to be out at least once in the day, ideally in the morning, your toddler will be happier to entertain themselves once you're home and you might actually get some chores done in the afternoon while baby is sleeping.

Thanks all! Some useful advice there which I will try and implement in the near future....we have also got a tricky situation where our nearly two yr old wil not settle on her own at all and also needs someone with her every time she wakes so we're goin to have to sort that problem out soon aswel:-(

Buggy board?

Snacks, snacks, snacks. Nappy bag ready the previous night if possible.

The sling really helps. Working out where you can stop for nappy changes /feeds is useful.

It gets easier - I have a 3 y.o. who's just potty trained and a 3 month old and tomorrow we're off on a weekly trip into London via train / underground. When DS2 was 3 weeks old I'd have panicked at the thought of such a journey but now I take it (more or less) in my stride. :)