Those of you with a toddler and a newborn - what's your daily routine?

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I'm not talking about planning everything down to the finest details but have a 2.3YO and a 7-week-old and am struggling to make sense of the day. Takes hours to get out of the house, DD1 gets bored watching me feed etc First thing in the morning and bed/bath-time are particularly tricky. What has worked for you?

Thank you!

I found that lowering all expectations helped a lot! Oh, and DVDs for DD. Probably not what you want to hear but DS is 7m (DD 2y9m) and we're only just about to start a bedtime routine (mind you we never needed one with DD so we're probably more laid-back than average).

One thing that helped is making sure your changing bag is totally ready every evening (and keys!!! always lost them...) so you can just grab and go.

You've got plenty of time to be organised in the future, IMHO you should just relax and get to know Baby. I do know what you're feeling about craving some structure but in hindsight I'm glad we've just trundled along, as we're gradually working out what works for us.

Hi, I have 2year old and an 11 week old. the 2 year old is still going to daycare [guiltly face] but we'd agreed it would be easier for me. Our morning routine is 7am up get both a bottle, I feed baby and DS has his bottle in our bed. DS watches TV while I shower/dry hair (baby back in moses basket) I then get DS dressed and we go to daycare.

We have dinner at about 6pm - then I feed the baby in another room while DP gives DS yoghurt and then he comes in for a play before DP puts him to bed at about 7/7.30. Baby stays with us in sitting room until we go to be about 10.

However we went on a picnic yesterday and it took about an hour to get ready - was knackered before we even left the house! Am also trying to give DS some proper attention at other times so he's not feeling left out.

Thanks, both - really useful to hear how other people are managing.

Hope to hear some more...

I almost didnt dare open this thread.

In a few short weeks I will have an almost 3 year old and a newborn....am surprisingly scared!!!

well, it's obviously really hard work... but seeing your older one give the new baby a kiss and cuddle, and start to play with them as they get older, that's magic that is

mathsmadmummy, I shall ignore your first words and instead focus on the magic bit

It was carnage in those days. We mostly had cbeebies on for DS while I fed DD. 3 hours to get out the house was the norm. I bought lots of ready meals as I never had the energy to cook or clean up.

Lower your expectations, it's only for a few months.

They are 3.5 and 19mo now and play in the garden together .

One thing that helped me in the early days (DS was 2.6 when DD was born; now 4 and 19m respectively) was taking DD up to bath earlier and letting DS watch Ben 10 by himself downstairs while I bathed DD and got her to bed. DS came upstairs when Ben 10 finished which worked out brilliantly timing-wise.

If you can feed one-handed, which I managed, you can read to your DD at the same time.

DS also continued with nursery, not just so that DD and I could have special time together, but also because our nursery is so over-subscribed I'd never get him in again.

They still, but always have, come in bed with us in the morning and we all snuggle up and watch TV in bed. I always take a drink and bananas up for DS (and DD now) so he's not clamouring for breakfast.

Mornings now are still problematic, even though DS gets himself dressed, we're always late leaving the house. Bedtimes work like a dream thankfully - DS stays in the bath while I read DD a story and put her down, the he comes out and we have story and bedtime for him. It's tricky but it does get easier.

For me (2.2 yo DD & 19wo DS) I'm on my own in the evenings. I start bath just after tea. I get DS out of the bath whilst DD plays for a bit. Get his nappy on and then go back for DD. Get her nappy and PJs on then I let DD watch DVD in our bed whilst I feed and settle DS. She does soemtimes come in and out of his room to check on us but I explain that he's finishing his milk and I 'll be with her soon. Once DS is settled then I go and finish off DD. I have tried loads of techniques and this is what works for us most of the time.

I have my DH around in the mornings so that's the easy part!

The night before, get EVERYTHING ready. Seriously, everything. I only had 18 mths between mine, so I feel your pain!

If your DS has cereal in the am, put it in the bowl so all youhave to do is pour the milk. Have clothes picked out and set out and ready. Second the bag being ready. aLl at the front door. Make sure youhave an 'errand bag' that you can throw stuff in at the front door so you arent dealing with two kids crying whilst you desperately search for that overdue library book! Try having a go at double cooking. Cook double and freeze the other half then on really bad days, dinner is only a microwave button away. invest in a slow cooker as well. then if you have a spare few minutes in the am, try and throw dinenr in and put it on low. If you can only manage it at lunchtime, do the same and put it on high. Helps with the 'arsenic hour'

Good luck, and remember it goes so fast!

Also, have a 'feeding box' next to the couch or wherever you feed. Then it can have special toys and books in it that only come out at feeding time, keeping your DS entertained. Make sure you put them back when you have finished feeding though as otherwise they can become 'normal' toys and the novelty wears off!

the 'arsenic hour' - love it

So reassuring to hear that others struggle with it too. Some great ideas here - thanks