What are your top tips /best buys for making life easier with toddler and newborn

[UncleBunclesHouse]

Is there any one piece of advice you wish you’d had? And / or what product has really been a life saver? Or what did you wish you had bought in hindsight?

DC2 due soon, I have a lot on at home (family business based here, animals to care for amongst other things) which means I won’t be able to dedicate myself completely to being just mummy on mat leave - with DC1 alone the whole ‘sleep when they sleep’ etc wasn’t really possible a lot of the time for example. So any hacks/ gadgets or more generally methods of keeping some semblance of order would be very gratefully received!! I used a snooze shade and Rockit on the pram with DC1 which helped them stay asleep after walks so already have those...TIA for any suggestions

White noise machine
Snoozee sleep trainer clock for the oldest!
Instead of having one enormous bag where everything you need ends up at the bottom, get two smaller initialled bags - one for each child.
If you didn’t get a bath seat for your first child, then make sure you definitely get one for your second. It means you have your hands free so that you can wash both of them at the same time.
Save yourself from traipsing up and down the stairs with both kids in tow and get a changing station for each floor of your house. Buy a really cheap changing mat and stash it underneath your sofa to keep things tidy.
Thermos mug - the chances of you finishing a hot drink before it cools down to room temperature are slim to none.
A baby monitor that supports two cameras.
Put together a ‘busy box’ with some toys which will occupy your eldest when you’re feeding your baby.
Consider getting a high chair which supports a newborn so you can put the baby in it without worrying about your eldest poking its eyes out. Useful when you need to pee.

This is amazing @Fivemoreminutes1 thank you!!

Agree with all of what FiveMinutes said.

Additionally:
Have some sort of ‘seat’ for the baby on each floor / in each room - bouncer, swing, car seat etc, invaluable for when the toddler needs you RIGHT NOW and you can make sure baby is safe ASAP
We’ve also got some activities for the toddler in each room - books, toys etc - so there’s always something to lob at her
Buy these now (Babymoov Babybol Airtight Baby Food Storage Containers, 180 ml, Pack of 6 amazon.co.uk/dp/B01MA6IUQN/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_fabc_SMZ2TB3MZHZWVYKVR312)]] and freeze any bits of leftovers from your dinners - means you’ve always got a quick meal for toddler if needed
Get a sling if you haven’t already - sure fire way of getting baby to nap while you’re in the house and need to be hands free
Getting my toddler their own ‘baby’ (doll) and a pack of super cheap newborn nappies and wipes has been great to get her involved and give her something to do. Equally she loves to help with the actual baby, so involve yours in getting you wipes, choosing clothes, bringing muslins etc
Lower your standards on screen time 🤣

Always carry bubbles, a two toy cars in your bag.

I don’t know how old the toddler is but mine had 18 months between them and I just used the bigger size of nappies for both, pulling the tapes tighter on the baby. Won’t work for all dc but worth a try.

A sling for the baby is essential IMO! Learn how to do it safely.

We used a crib that attached to the side of the bed. It wasn’t quite co-sleeping but I could scoop the baby towards me for a feed. Again, learn how to do it safely.

My top tip is to talk to the baby about the older sibling. It really shocked me how different my voice was talking to the baby vs toddler. So I started praising the older child who could understand the words. It eliminates jealousy and means they’re both getting your attention.

When you buy toddler clothes buy multiples of the same outfits or buy in a colour range. That way, when you have to change a food splattered top, they still look coordinated. I know it’s a small thing but it helped my sanity when they didn’t look like street urchins!

Double push chair, I got a second hand city mini.

Wrap sling. My newborn lived in there for about 5 months. Meant I had to change very little of the toddlers routine and the baby was chilled as they get.

Really good tips mentioned already.
I have a 4 month and 2.5yr old. Not much extra to add but I agree that these have been an absolute must-have for an easier life with 2 young children:

Sling
Double buggy
Bouncer seat on each floor
Changing station on each floor (with spare clothes for both kids too)
A quality thermometer
A present to your toddler from the baby when they first meet them.

Noting all this and adding to shopping list - thanks so much everyone!

Be kind to yourself, lower your standards and accept help when it’s offered (and ask for it if it’s not - obviously harder mid pandemic but people can drop meals round, for example, even if they can’t hold the baby while you have some toddler time).

Definitely a sling and changing stations on every floor. Tbh, the greatest help has been the eldest going to nursery a couple of days a week!

Get a highchair newborn seat. Means baby is up at table and can’t be poked or trodden on whilst your sorting food