How do you cope with 2

[wingingit987]

I'm 4 weeks away from my due date and it's just starting to dawn on me how am I going to cope with 2.

My partner works nights so it's just me at nights. My toddler will be 2 months shy of 3 when the baby arrives. I'm just wondering if anyone had any words of wisdom or advice for how to cope with 2.

My toddler will be in nursery 3 mornings a week but I'm finding it tiring enough now.

The first few weeks are hard but it gets easier. Dont try to do any housework at all, batch cook some meals now for the freezer and stock up on snacks. A sling is a godsend and I did a few little boxes of special bits for toddler that only came out while I was feeding baby (eg one with scented kinetic sand and accessories, a peppa pig playset etc). I also got DD her own nappies, changing mat, sling etc for her dolls so she could copy me, she loved that. Oh and lots of TV!! Dont put pressure on yourself and try to enjoy it through the chaos.

I agree with the above.. just take it easy and don't over do things.. you will eventually get into your own routine and everything will fall into place.. dont worry about housework or washing just yet and just enjoy the moment... I was nervous having my second child but it all came together in the end... I now have 4 beautiful children , dont know how I do it some days but I do 😊

Be organised, lower your standards for the home. You will find your feet and build routines it's just exhausting, it does get better with time.

I found 2 a breeze tbh. We're expecting our 6th atm, we have 15, 10, 9 & 6 year old twins already. Hubby is military so away a lot but I am a sahm and cope fine (though sometimes it'd be nice to have help).

I found it a gentle itneost, as a toddler and heavily pregnant was far far harder than toddler plus a newborn.

It did get really hard, but not until the baby was mobile, and by then at least I was used to two. The first few months weren't too bad at all.

I personally found the first 3 months the hardest because baby would only sleep in the sling during the day and woke easily. I had a 17 month gap so will likely be easier for you. And it wasn’t that bad but was a lot easier once I could put baby in a cot for naps.

I recommend being as organised as you can be. I used to pick out clothes for everyone the night before and got myself dressed as soon as I got up. Definitely batch cook or plan slow cooker dinners and just do the housework that absolutely needs to be done. Keep breakfast and lunch very simple for you and toddler.

You’ll also find that you’re more relaxed than first time around. I found night feeds easier second time because it wasn’t such a shock and you’re used to looking after your toddler anyway.