Tips for getting through first tri with a toddler

[usernotfound0000]

Help! DD is 3. I’m almost 8 weeks and feel so shocking. Constant nausea, tired beyond belief and dizziness/feeling faint if I stand for too long. I’m now off work for Easter and solo parenting. Just don’t know how to get through the day! DD would happily watch back to back peppy pig all day if I let her but I feel terrible that I can’t be a better mum to her at the moment.

I'm after the same advice too my little boys 2.5 and he's a handful. He always wants to be on the go and never sits still. All I want to do is stay in bed so working and looking after him is taking it's toll and I'm only 6w's! X

I'm after the same advice too my little boys 2.5 and he's a handful. He always wants to be on the go and never sits still. All I want to do is stay in bed so working and looking after him is taking it's toll and I'm only 6w's! X

My son was 3 months when I found out I was pregnant again so not quite the same, but I would say lower expectations, don’t give yourself a hard time. Will probably get shunned for this but food wise try the baby ready meals (Annabelle karmel are great imo), pre cut fruit and veg, etc so you don’t have to worry if you’re shattered. Let toddler play on your phone/tablet sometimes, don’t feel guilty about it. If you need to rest you need to rest. Get a bath by taking toddler in with you, either standing by the side and playing with the bubbles or in with you. Nap with toddler, take toddler to kid friendly places so you can eat/drink and relax without worrying they’re upsetting other patrons but you’re getting outside. Set up a messy play (foam or goo or whatever materials) with newspaper or plastic sheets down and let them at it then you can just gather it all up and throw it away when they’ve had enough.

Mine are 1 and 2 now but if I want a lie in I sometimes keep them up a bit later so they sleep an hour later, would that work for you maybe?

Also don’t be scared to ask family and friends for help.

Encourage toddler to become more independent (fetching nappy if he still wears them for changes?), tell him about new brother or sister and how he’s going to be a big brother.

Sorry that’s a bit rubbish really but you can do this! It’s only temporary and then when they’re together they’re like partners in crime

Nothing wrong with peppa pig! Got me through my first trimester. But now I feel sick by association when I watch it! Don't feel bad, it's not forever. I also used to just get my boy (just under 2 at the time) dressed for puddles and just literally stand outside and let him jump in them and splash around for a while. It's really hard, but it will pass. Im now 28 weeks and my little boy is not a tv addict! You need to be able to rest. Puzzles and stickers are fairly easy play for a break from peppa pig. Hope you feel better soon xx

Do whatever you need to do to get through. It's not forever. I'm coming to the end of first tri now with DD (almost 3). She has spent more time than I would like watching Dora/playing on the tablet but honestly I'd have had a break down without them. The nausea and tiredness are crippling with a toddler to run around after. Play when you feel OK, tv/tablet when you don't.

I relied on sugar and silently weeping.

DS was 2.5 in my first trimester & DP works away all week so I was looking after him by myself. He watched a lot of CBeebies snuggled up on the sofa with me and ate a lot of fishfingers / pizza type dinners but we got through it. I spent a few weeks going to bed pretty much straight after him which helped. You just need to do whatever you can to get through it, it's only a few weeks.

Peppa pig all the way, and don’t feel guilty!