How did you manage two under two?

[RainbowSlide]

I have a 5yo soon to start school (not in uk) and an almost 1yo, and I'm keen for a third but given I'm late 30s I can't realistically wait until 1yo is potty trained and more self reliant before trying again. So... What's it really like with 2 under 2 (plus a 5-7yr old) and how did you make it work practically?

My 5yo is very helpful and nurturing but will be at school. But I still found it difficult to manage naps etc with another child needing me. How does it work with a toddler??

Thanks so much. Obviously it might not even happen but I'd like to go into ttc #3 with eyes wide open

TIA

Ours are now 3, 4 and 6. 14 months then 18 months difference.

Does your Oh do his fair share? If so, its doable! I must admit, we really struggled for a year or two but we wouldnt have it any other way. They are all very close.

I was 35, 37 and 38 when ours were born so I know what you mean about limited time.

What I would say is that I didnt feel done at 2 kids. Feels perfect at 3. Was right for is. Go for it if thats how you and your oh feel.

We have 4 children, 2 of them fostered. Two of them are 8, one is 20 months and the other is 10 months.

The older children are a great help, they love being the older siblings. They want to help all of the time and it is great for their development.

The most difficult part is definitely the sleeping, if one wakes up crying for a feed the other also wakes up. Sometimes one doesn't go to sleep until late and the other is up early. We have had broken sleep for 20 months now and even though I share the responsibility with my partner, we have definitely reached the had enough stage.

However by the time you had another child a few things would be different, they probably be 2+, understand a lot more and are unlikely to wake during the night. They can also go to nursery which is a great break and helps their development.

Outside of that some young siblings of a similar age play well together and entertain each other, some get jealous and fight over toys.

Hope I haven't put you off too much, for all of the lack of sleep I wouldn't change any of them, which should tell you everything you need to know.

There's 13 months between my first two, and my third in three years is due in feb (I'm an older mum).

Everyone said the first six months would be hard then it would get easier. And it did do after six months. The first six months were tough. But now they play together, they have a really strong bond and we can all move forward as a family. I think long term it must be easier than having massive gaps and keep returning to the first year stage.

I love it but it is basically chaos...

19 months between my two. They are secondary school age now.

It was tough but you just manage.

21 month gap.

The first 6 months are easy, much more so than late pregnancy IMO, 6-18m are hard slog as you adjust to having a mobile baby and an older toddler, and then it starts getting easier again.

It's great to see the bond between them grow though, and it's very worth it, and doable, you just need to be organised and multitask.

15 months between mine. Youngest is current 7 months. Life is shit- totally chaotic atm. I've been told it gets easier... waiting...

currently*

I had two under two, just. It was very manageable, but you have to be kind to yourself! Don’t strive for the perfect house, rest when you can. My older one loved me feeding the baby because he got to choose a book and I would read to him while I breastfed. That helped a lot when baby was fussy or cluster feeding!

Following with interest! Have a 10 month old and number 2 due in December. DD currently a good sleeper & napper so hoping that will continue!

Ours are 5 and 8 months. 4 minutes difference between the youngest two 😂.

Napa are a bloody nightmare.
Parks are a bloody nightmare.
Time is a bloody nightmare.

You for it, you'll find your way through and it won't last forever

3 months, 13 months and 6 year old here. The 6 year old is really helpful. I made sure my 13 month old was in a really good routine, sleeps 12 hours at night and has a 2 hour nap during the day. I'm exhausted and my house is chaotic but I wouldn't have it any other way and I know they will be really close when older xx