Newborn and a toddler, give me your best tips!

[featheredcloud68]

DP goes back to work Monday and I am slightly terrified at the idea of juggling to two little ones alone. I'm so worried my mental health will start to suffer due to the mum guilt, sleep deprivation, and the house becoming a massive mess and then in turn I won't be able to be a good mum to them both.

I never realised how simple life was with just one child (almost 3 years old) and I took it for granted. So please send me your top tips on how I can survive haha 😆

Learn to stick them in front of Cbeebies with zero sense of guilt.

Ceebies and fuck the mess. Don’t allow the toddler to play with glitter while your feeding - I did this on DH first day back.

Seriously, lots of none messy stuff. If you get out for a walk to buy the toddler a magazine with a crappy free toys then your winning otherwise remember “everyone feed and no one dead.” It’s gets easier, I’m 2 years on and they play nicely together in the garden.

Similar ages here! I find getting out the house for a few hours is the biggest help. It’s a stress to get out the door, but then a couple of hours at the park let’s the toddler wear herself out, the newborn (hopefully!) naps in the pram or sling, and the toddler has less time to create a mess at home.

I've got 4 children. You think it's hard with 2??

Is DC2 still napping? Your absolute priority must be naps at the same time. Whatever time toddler has lunchtime nap, work baby's nap around that. And then do FUCK ALL for the duration of both napping. Seriously, lie on your bed, curtains closed, and either nap, rest, or scroll your phone.

Do everything that needs doing when kids are awake and "helping". We kept hold of an old broken Dyson Hoover purely got the ability for toddler to pretend to help me when hoovering.

Second planning the day around the naps and zero-guilt CBeebies. I found getting the toddler out in the morning to playgroups etc. helped as it structured the day and kept the mess down (it's sooo much easier to let them paint in the church hall than at home).

I did not bother to potty train until they were ready and interested. It made the process much faster with fewer accidents.

If (and only if) you want to, write a meal plan at the weekend. There's nothing worse than blankly staring at the cupboard with sleep deprivation and a whining, hungry toddler at lunch time. Having a written list stops the indecision

Teething is a bastard with two of them. Just when the second is cutting their teeth, your toddler will erupt with back molars. I suggest a stash of gin (for you) in that scenario.

Playpen so baby has a safe space to be (away from toddler) if you need the loo or whatever.

Double buggy and get out everyday

Buy a sling and lower your standards!

Get out everyday.
Double buggy, the older one can walk obviously, but you can stick them in and go for a long walk. Plus space for all your stuff.

Do not underestimate your toddler - I have to watch mine like a hawk because he loves to put play doh etc in the baby's mouth saying 'yum yum'

I know it's all fairly light-hearted but these tips strike me as more suited to life with a newborn and a just turned two year old. I have a baby and a 3 year old (2 and a half when baby was born) and I wouldn't really describe the 3 year old as a toddler. She was very much potty trained and done with naps by the time the baby came. I've no qualms about leaving them alone together whilst I pop to the loo or whatever. In all honesty, I find keeping the 3 year old happy is the main thing and just stay relaxed about the baby's routine, they can fit in around that. TV when you're busy feeding is fine. Have a meal plan and plan easy meals for busier days. Older child can watch TV whilst you do half an hour of cooking. Find pre-school classes that you can take a baby along to (not always allowed due to COVID) to fill your time.

Oh and the more you're out the house, the less mess you can make!

Like PPs have said, put the tv on for toddler (I’ve been doing this with mine) otherwise idk how I’d be doing it with two babies. 18month gap 😬
Literally can’t get anything done unless they’re both napping or at least newborn is. It’s hard.. idk how I’m holding it altogether tbh. Good luck to you, you got this!