Two under 2

[Twooundertwoo]

Mums with experience of two under 2!

Any words of advice?

Anything you brought that was a lifesaver?

34 weeks pregnant and my little one will be 20 months when his baby brother arrives!

No advice sorry but would like to follow as my son will be 22 months when baby sister arrives :)

i had 15 months gap.

• Double buggy, side by side, we found in the long ways buggies, the bigger could kick the smaller one
• Baby sling in both sizes
• Bedside cot
• I had one of those mamaroo baby swing things to entertain the smaller one for when I was feeding the bigger one
• There may be a time when neither of them are walking, so just to prepare for that with a plan of parking and accessibility

Also mentally, take loads of pictures, you will be ever so busy like you’ve never known and I forgot a lot of the days as I was just so task orientated.

good luck, it does get easier when they are bigger and entertain each other.

sorry, also if you have a C-section you won’t be able to lift the bigger one; so I was very lucky in that DC3 was born in school holidays when DH could take loads of time off so I could recover. Just factor that in, just in case you need extra recovery time afterwards.

@SisterAgatha thank you! First is still not walking! We live in a flat so i just know its going to be a pain but im sure were find a way that works for us! Yep baby slings in both sizes but we have got the cosatto wow xl which isant a side by side but bigger one is able to faceaway so kicking shouldnt be a problem! We still have the next to me crib from our first but im still yet to see if it fits against our new bed as its alot higher so may have to use it as a free standing crib with all the sides up, we will see!

@SisterAgatha yes c section is on the cards, im still undecided, first was emergency csection and ive been given the choice of a planned this time but my partner is only able to take 1 week off work as hes only just started a new job and we cant afford him to be off unpaid with me on maternity pay! My mum is a school teacher so will be off and arround to help a few weeks after i give birth for 6 weeks

Aww congrats OP, DS1 was 21mths when DS2 arrived. It’s lovely to have a close gap, so many advantages, you don’t forget any of the stages, we didn’t have to get to school etc, my two liked the same programmes, toys, attractions etc. Double pram is really useful, we had the double mountain buggy, it was great. Lovely days. Just be prepared for your second child to be a totally different personality to your first, that took me by surprise. My two are 20 & 19 now, and best friends as well as brothers. I would do it all again if I could. Hard work of course, but worth it. Good luck

Invest in a decent double buggy. Bit of tweaking you can align napping together!

Ah that’s perfect if your mum can be around. It’s very hard when they both aren’t walking. My second was emergency and third planned c section and the operations couldn’t have been more different. You’ll find the recovery from a planned one so much easier, don’t worry x

We were in a flat too at the time and it wasn’t easy with logistics. I remember having to carry DC3 down stairs in car seat, leave at bottom of stairs, carry DC2 down and put in car while in sight of 3, then go back for 3 while in sight of 2! We didn’t have good parking then either but if you do I can’t imagine that will be such an issue. Or I’d use the sling if 3 was up for it that day. Luckily DC1 was able to belt himself in by that age.

One thing you’ll save on massively are joggers, shoes, sleeping bags and pants etc as they are transferable. If you’ve two of the same sex, even better as all clothes are transferable too!

id defo get some meals frozen as well!

15 months gap here and my main words of wisdom is that it does get easier!!!

I couldn't live without a double buggy (we have mountain buggy duet), somewhere to park the baby (we had a few bouncer/chair dotted around) and things within easy reach to keep toddler entertained.

I found feeding the baby sat on the floor easier to then do something like a puzzle with the toddler.

In the early days lower your standards for cleaning and the amount of screen time for the toddler 🙈

Later on getting them both to afternoon nap at the same time was an absolute dream.

We also kept the toddler at nursery two days a week, partly so they had at least two days where they were kept busy and also so we don't have to re-settle him down the line when we are both back at work.

I have 12 months between my two

Super hard to begin with (particularly with zero family help) but easier when they got to 1 and 2. Take each day at a time.

After that it's been great tbh. They are 17 and 16 now and so far no trouble (fingers crossed!)

I had a 12 month gap between dc1& dc2 then another 2 dc making it 4 under 4. Have a double buggy and good bouncer that can move around the house. Try and get out and do stuff, toddler group, children’s centre groups good for you and the kids. Get as much organised at night, changing bag, clothes etc makes getting out easier. I had a change mat and basket with wipes & nappies downstairs and upstairs to save going upstairs for every change. Get the older one involved even it’s passing a baby wipe, mine loved helping and they like to be involved. Naps usually aligned or the older ones got accustomed to napping in sling/buggy or car. Take any help offered, I had no family help so was always grateful if someone held my baby for 5 minutes at toddler group. I always tried to make time with the older child individually even if it was a cuddle and a story. Don’t beat yourself up
if you have a crap day, it’s hard work and can be a little manic but also
lots of fun and mine are very close. Congratulations OP!

I have 21 months between mine and it was sort of different from what I expected in that's it harder work now (at 2.5 and 10 months) than it was when dc2 was born. I think it would have helped me if I'd known it could get harder.

I don't know your financial situation but we have thrown a lot more money at problems this time round. For example, the sleep consultant was the best money we spent.

Oh and if possible knock any bad sleep habits with dc1 on the head prior to dc2 arrival. Eg you do not want dc1 wanting you to sleep on their floor all night when dc2 arrives!

Get help where possible. Put dc1 in childcare a couple of days a week so you actually get a break/get shit done. But also I do love the days that I have them both and the more you do them, the easier it gets.

Good luck!

Dc1 is staying in nursery, he goes once a week and loves it, i wish we could afford for him to go more! His current sleep habit is hit and miss, most nights he stays in his cot and wakes just the once but all i have to do is give him his dummy back which has dropped on the floor and put his blanket back on but then we get the odd night like last night he screamed and screamed and i went back and forth putting his dummy back in for an hour before i gave up and put him in my bed. I think its my neighbors waking him up slamming the door at silly times and elephant stepping up the stairs which are the other side of his wall his cot is against but its the only place a cot will fit! I think ill be sticking a note on the door as other neighbors have comented on how loud they are at night going in and out too!