Managing a toddler in 3rd trimester... help!

[Emelene]

Hello,
I'm currently 31 weeks pregnant with a 22 month old. I'm getting a lot of abdominal pain on twisting, bending etc. But I've got to care for my toddler 5 days next week as the childminder is away. DH does what he can but is working full time. I'm feeling overwhelmed, the house is a state and I'm in a lot of pain bending at all or lifting my toddler.

Any top tips on how to manage?

Ahh I understand. It gets very uncomfortable sitting on floors and lifting.
I would try limiting picking your toddler up, stick some large cushions on the floor if you are playing on the floor.
Regarding cleaning, just take it easy on yourself and do little bits slowly. Make it into a little game with your toddler, mine always love to help. Keep reminding your little one to pick their toys up after they've finished and soon enough he/she will pick them up themselves happily. Kids love sorting through clothes aswel.
Do try and stop picking your toddler up though as I wouldn't want you to end up with a bad back like me x

Definitely try to limit picking the toddler up. I used to get mine to climb up on things like a dining room chair then lift her from there to highchair etc. Wee stool next to the bath so they can climb on that and you help them in, then I'd sit on it rather than bending over the bath or kneeling.

I let my toddler have quite a lot of screen time in the afternoon as she wouldn't nap and we were both exhausted. We would cuddle up in bed together watching endless amounts of Peppa pig.

I felt so much better after my second was born that actually parenting 2 didn't seem so bad!

You can get by without lifting them at all. I know, because I was recovering from a C-section with a toddler. Get h to sit on a chair to eat, or get low toddler table and chairs for cheap.

Little stool to climb into bath, or better yet, bath only at weekends when partner is around to help.

Get him to walk upstairs ahead of you, climb into the pram or carseat himself, that sort of thing.

Lots of bribes for being helpful and don't be afraid to rely on TV and snacks for now

Let the housework go, partner can help when he gets home. It won't do you any harm to live off beans on toast etc. for a while.

Oh, and if your little one is still in a cot, maybe take the side off so he can climb in himself.

I am in the same situation. 32 weeks, I have a 21 month old and its just me around, no family help. I am going full on lazy, so lots of sitting on the floor, crafting, painting and colouring at the dining room table, we read lots of books on the floor, and I am seeing friends where I can so she is entertained by another toddler and someone makes me tea. After that it's just encouraging her to walk rather than lifting her, batch cooking so I dont have to stand cooking every night, and DH is on duty every evening while I lie in the bath trying to relieve the pain in my bump and back.

It's just survival really, powering through it all. We can do it!!

I’m in the same boat. Now almost 39 weeks with a 23 month old. Basically just in survival mode when it’s the two of us. Don’t feel bad about screen time and quiet activities eg play doh and then when more able people
are around get them to do the tiring out !! It is a bit of a nightmare eg when they have a paddy though and won’t cooperate !!