Tips for late pregnancy with toddler

[Lizbiz89]

I'm nearly 33 weeks and have a almost 2 year old. I'm getting seriously tired now and heavy. Can anyone suggest any good distractions for my toddler? It's starting get extremely hard for me in these later stages and my toddler is none stop!

I'm 34 weeks and have a high octane 3yo. If I have energy we go to the park, but if I don't we spend a lot of time either reading stories or watching TV. I'm keeping my expectations low.

I know what you mean op! My lo is 22 months and I feel like I can't have him on my own for long anymore. I'm a high risk pregnancy as he arrived at 29 weeks and this time I'm now 27 weeks but have been having contractions since 23 weeks. I try not to lift him too much but he's still so young that the park, and even a walk around the shops, mean he often needs carried. It means I'm pretty restricted in what I can do with him. Luckily he is in full time childcare at the moment and I'm working from home so I can take it a bit easier; it's only really a problem on weekends now. So no tips I'm afraid; except to get your oh to help out as much as possible. But I'm right there with you!

I feel for you, I know how hard it is. Currently have 4mo and DD2 was 2yo when I was 33 weeks pregnant with pgp and sciatica. Really was so hard. Things I did....

• Organise play dates at our house
• Read lots of books
• Puzzles, colouring, playdough etc
• Baking when I had the energy
• Housework - big hit - taught her to hoover and do non chemical cleaning, as well as tidying up
• Brushing my hair
• Watching too much TV (indoor cinema makes it feel less like tv) - Netflix has so much for toddlers

I gave up the park when I was about 36 weeks pregnant as I just couldn't manage it.

Get DP to do as much as possible when home. Make up toddler food and snacks the night before. Maybe even yours if that helps.

I’m 37 weeks and DD is 16 months.

It is very tough. She has SO MUCH ENERGY and I literally can’t keep up with her.

I rely on Disney films far more than I should, but to be honest I’m just trying to get through the next few weeks until the due date when DH is off for 4 weeks.

We went to loads of toddler groups. He could run off energy with the other children and I got a cup of tea - win, win😁

Thanks for all the advice! I will try all of the things you've done. Toddler groups are a nightmare in my area. Always fully booked and long waiting lists. Currently living for the afternoon naps and DP getting home from work these days!

Following for tips! Especially for when newborn is here!
I currently let my 2year old play with water, cups, spoons and muffin trays. Keeps her quiet while I do not much or cook for a good hour.
Then I add bubbles and that's another hour.
Then a big Mop up on the kitchen floor but that's easy enough.
Reading books, although this lasts about two minutes.
Flour and water dough mix she can play with and roll out and doesn't matter if she eats. Which she will. You can always dry fry it too and it's a quick wrap for lazy lunch.
Pasta threading, or 'sewing' with some string and holes punched out of cardboard.
Housework is also great, she has her own spray bottle of water and a cloth.
I wish I still had nap time to recharge! Long gone are those days apparently 😂

I've a 11 month old and 2 year old 38 weeks pregnant it's bloody hard work

Things I did to cope with toddler energy/my exhaustion:

• Went to a carefully chosen smaller softplay where I could park myself on a chair in front of the frame and let her get on with it whilst I watched. Some are not designed so you can do it, but others allow the child to be in sight at (pretty much) all times.
• Swimming. Being in the water made me feel much less hefty and I bobbed about whilst DD1 exhausted herself.
• CBeebies. Absolute lifesaver. A lot was watched during both the 1st and 3rd trimester (and once DD2 was born and still feeding constantly). I didn't feel guilty about it if she'd spent 2 hours zooming around a softplay earlier in the day.

All cushions off the sofas and beds, plonk them in a big square on the floor in front of the sofa. Homemade soft play! Let them jump off sofas, trampoline etc. Then like on them together under a duvet for indoor cinema.

Play-Doh! Would keep mine occupied for a good hour.

iPad. I let my DS have an hour a day when I was that pg. An hour in the middle of the morning to give myself a proper break. He did games etc so less passive than just watching something.

Afternoon baths with kitchen things. Let him choose a few whisks/spoons etc and he can do some bath cooking.

Sticker books on the sofa. Sainsburies have loads.

Magic colouring books, Crayola do some. Think they are called colour wonder or something. Mess free! They are in sainsburies too.

Sainsburies also have magic painting pads where you paint with water and colour appears.

Oh and magazines!

Good luck. I was housebound for 5 weeks with my toddler. His nursery was term time only and I was due end of the summer holidays. Hardest five weeks ever. BUT I look back fondly at our time together.

Thanks everyone! So many good ideas! I'm relying far too much on tv at the moment. But it just gives me that 5 minutes sat down that I need. Will definitely be trying all of the activities you've recommended as well.