Pregnant and have a toddler - will I be able to take DC2 to toddler groups do you think? Nursery considerations etc

[Queazy]

Hi
I'm pregnant with DC2 and DD1 will be 2y4mo when lo is born. I'm planning to continue 3 days per week childcare, but wondered what others advice would be. My dd currently goes to a childminder but the plan was always to send her to a nursery later this year so she could be involved in more activities etc. Do you think she'll struggle if this is only a couple of months before baby is born and so much is changing? In your experience or plans, do activity groups allow you to take your baby along too? I'll have two days off with both kiddies, and would like to do toddler groups too, such as a dance class. I'm i being unrealistic?!

Any thoughts welcome, and thanks again

I've been to many a toddler activity class and there has always been a few small babies on the sidelines or "joining in"

Oh thanks nayville - I've only seen it once and that's why I started to wonder if it wasn't the done thing. I'd rather keep to some activities while dc2 is still small.

I had a similar age gap and DC1 changed childcare when DC2 was about 3mths and it was fine. As I was on mat leave, it meant her settling sessions & start were very laid back as I could stay a bit longer if needed whilst DC2 slept in the corner in the pram, was watching everything from the sling or was being bf. The staff of places like that are used to there being little ones in tow. If DC2 needed a bf, they'd suggest where I could sit & bring an activity, DC1 & some potential playmates over next to me. DC1 was quite happy to go to nursery with the "big" boys & girls, the "huge" slide etc whilst DC2 was at home just doing baby things like pooing and hitting a crinkly toy.
As for toddler groups, yes, we kept doing those with DC2 in his car seat in the corner or in the sling. It got a bit harder about 6mths in when DC2 was more mobile but he just joined in a bit and we gradually changed activities as DC1 got old r and she did more activities (ballet, gymnastics) where parents watched from the side. Most of the other parents seemed to have a younger one so we'd take a couple of rugs and a few toys & the babies were happy enough. You muck in a bit too. If one of the older siblings needed a wee & it's younger sibling was being bf, then one of the other mums would take the older sibling. Or one older sibling doing ballet was very shy and wanted her mum more involved so I gave the younger sibling it's bottle most weeks whilst my own younger one played on the rug.

Thank you so much for your reply - that's hugely helpful and reassuring

I had two children under 2 for six months and lived at toddler groups! They were a life saver! You'll be fine.