Newborn and toddler

[Twinkletwinklelil]

Dh goes back to work tomorrow
i feel so stressed

I have a 5wk old and a just turned 2 year old

please give me all the tips and tricks to get through the next few months?
both Velcro babies 😅

I’ll have help on one day from my mum but otherwise it’s just me and the kids!
probably overthinking it but I definitely can’t see how I’m going to get ready myself / cook lunch / get DS2yo to sleep for nap… 😟

Have you got a double buggy? With a bit of commitment you can synchronise naps.. Ime.

Nothing constructive to add but this will be us in a few months so hoping to pick up some good tips!

My friend suggested keeping a stash of veg sticks/easy snacks so you can sit the toddler at the table with a “starter” and finish sorting their meals whilst knowing they are safely contained. Baby can be in a carrier or a bouncer.

Do not be afraid to put down and let them cry. You will know if they need changing/feeding/are ill. You need to do things and tend to your own basic needs (shower, toilet, food, cleaning, whatever) too and you should not feel guilty if the kids aren’t permanently attached to you.

This was me a couple of months ago! Ds2 was born 3 weeks before ds1 was 2.

Do you have a bouncer or swing chair for baby? My newborn napped really well in there and kept him away from my toddler quite well.
Also I put baby in the bouncer chair just outside toddlers door with the door ajar when getting the toddler to sleep. If baby was particularly fretful he would come in the room and I'd bounce him with my foot.

I never got on with a double buggy, but you might. I preferred a sling and then a travel pushchair for my 2 year old so it was nice and light.

I made myself a packed lunch (🤣) the night before.

Always get dressed before you bring both downstairs otherwise you'll never make it back upstairs to get dressed.

Also forgive yourself for everything. Don't make it out the house for a couple of days? Doesn't matter. Use TV more than usual? Doesn't matter. Toddler has some little dish's for dinner that you just microwave? They are still 2 of their 5 a day.

I also had help from my mum once a week and ds didn't go to nursery. Baby is 3 months now and we are thriving 😊

I had a newborn and 2 year old twins. I am sure you will be fine. As above do you have a bouncy chair they are great you can move them around. And bounce with your foot if need to that's how I managed to eat. As your toddler is 2 do they play on their own with supervision mine used to love playing with toys like animals and little people lining them all up. Puzzles, pairs. Lots of singing nursery rhymes.

The first thing I'd knock on the head is a cooked lunch, some picky bits on a plate are fine. Get your two year old to help so that he feels included, is taking steps towards independence and helps you out.

Help your older one to be as independent as possible, for example fill a water bottle at breakfast and leave it accessible so he can get his own drink when needed. Pus some healthy snacks at an accessible height so he can help himself when needed.

Think of some special activities for the older one to do while you're feeding the baby/busy, keep these reserved for when you really need them (a treasure bag is good ime and can kill loads of time).

Congratulations! We have a 22-month gap between ours (1 and nearly 3), so I remember clearly how daunting those first weeks and months can be! Here are some things that helped us navigate those early days:

• Strap both kids in the pram when out:
• Use a carrier for the baby at home to settle if you need. This is also a lifesaver for nursery drop-offs, baby groups, or even just a walk around the block.
• Get out of the house, a short walk around the block can help tire out your toddler and give you some fresh air.
• Always put the toddler in the car seat first.
• Settle the baby first for bedtime
• Don’t feel guilty about screen time: It’s a lifesaver in those early days, and it won’t last forever!
• Go to bed early - Seriously, the extra sleep will make a big difference.
• If they won’t nap, try a car ride: Bonus points if you can go through a coffee drive-thru! Once they’re asleep, leave the engine running!
• Eventually Align routines as much as possible: Shared bath time and story time simplify your evenings!
• Narrate the baby’s needs: For example, say, “No baby, I’m helping your brother right now, and I’ll come to you in a moment.” We found this helped our toddler and reduced jealousy.

Hang in there. There were definitely moments when I thought, What have we done?! But it gets easier, I promise. Now, our two adore each other, and it’s such a joy to watch them play and enjoy each other’s company.