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Tips on how to cope with a newborn and toddler in the very early days

3 replies

Gangle · 13/02/2010 23:29

Sure this has been done to death but would welcome any tips. I'm 34 weeks with DS2 who is due 2 days before DS's 2d birthday. No idea how I will cope, especially as DS is very demanding especially at nap times and bedtime where it can take me up to an hour to settle him, sometimes more. He also screams the house down if anyone other than me or his nanny puts him down. Had meant to get it resolved before DS2 arrives but running out of time.

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Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
ScreaminEagle · 14/02/2010 00:07

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bramblina · 14/02/2010 00:30

My ds stopped napping at 16 months which sounds like a bit of a PITA, but would then sleep for 14 hours at night which was lovely and I wouldn't have swapped back. It's probably mad to consider your ds stopping naps as the hour you get free in the afternoon may be really useful when you have a newborn, however it is worth considering if, 1- he doesn't go down easily anyway, 2- he will be so tired at night he may go down a fair bit earlier, and may sleep a good few hours extra?

Find a nice small box, cover it in lovely boy's wrapping paper, wrap the lid separate, and fill it with nice useful things; a book (new one to him, try charity shops as you may need a few!) a tiny new toy like from a party bag or similar, maybe a new pair of pants or swim nappy, dvd that's been hanging around and he hasn't seen, a photo of something new to talk about, just anything he has never seen bafore and this may keep him amused for well, who knows. I thought of this for feeding times when dd was born, ds was 2.9 but fortunately didn't have to. The list is endless, and you needn't spend much. Buy a multibag of mini jammy dodgers, they always go down well. Bubbles? A magazine? Save the toy separately before he sees it for another time. Yes they are rubbish plastic that brakes but hey if he's never seen it before.....you get my drift. Try the psrty bag isles in supermarkets, try www.hawkin.com for stocking fillers. Cartons of juice, chopped fruit.

Walk the legs off him to get him tired (though you will probably be more tired!), and lots and lots of positive attention will also help! Good luck!

Feelingsensitive · 14/02/2010 08:30

Agree with previous poster that you should try and sort the sleep issues with DS first. I reduced DDs daytime nap just before DS was born which meant she slept better at night. I have a 2.5 year age gap between mine and TBH its much like the first time in the sense that you just bumble along and work it out. I always made sure I sat and did something with DD whilst DS slept (which hopefully a newborn will do lots of), I got her to 'help' me as much as possible. I also found it quite useful to play with dollies alot just before DS was born and talk about the baby alot so she felt involved. As far as organising goes I just kept the house work to when DD was at nursery at the time and bathed them at the same time at night - DD in the bath and DS on the baby bath on bathroom floor. I would get DS dressed whilst DD was in the bath and then put him on his changing mat whilst I got DD out. The onlt time DD got jealous was at playgroups where I couldnt leave DS alone and DD wanted me to play with her. I get more issues now they are 4 and 2 as they are now jealous of each other if I cuddle one so I normally have both of them on my lap. I had lots of people telling me how hard it was going to be but I went into feeing positive and didnt find it too bad. I definately had my bad days but no more than I had had after DD. Enjoy it.

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