Wow it is hard being heavily pregnant with a toddler

[iloveyoubutilovememore]

Just wanted to come on and vent really.

Currently 32 weeks pg and have a 3.5 year old little boy. I'm still working three days and due to go on mat leave in two weeks.

Am SO tired. All the time. My boy is (as most kids his age) full of energy and if we stay in the house all day ends up climbing the walls. But getting out of the house feels so overwhelming at the moment because after 10/15 mins I'm ready to turn back and he isn't. Mum comes over once a week to help, husband is great when he's not working but is working a fair bit at the moment.

Now I know what my friend meant when she said she actually found it easier once the second baby was here compared to being pregnant & having the first to look after...

Sympathies OP.
Heavily pregnant with toddler is a million times harder than newborn and toddler.
Newborn and toddler is a breeze in comparison

This was s why my daughter is at nursery full time. I know she's being stimulated and socialised.

I've got pgp too so she can move faster than me which means we can't go to the park, anywhere that she isn't really contained. She's 2.

I have guilt about it because, well, I'm a mum! But she genuinely is better off there full time for a couple months.

Oh and I'm 36 weeks. She's been there full time for the past month. I'm mostly on annual leave until mat leave kicks in. So not even working at the moment... doh!!

Oh yeah it can feel pretty tough. It's not much better in the first few weeks as you try to establish routines but once you get there you'll feel so much better.

My last pregnancy, we had a 2, 4 & 9 year old and I was carrying twins. Hubby is military so not home much anyway then he broke his leg when I was 26wk and was less use than a chocolate teapot until after birth. Now pregnant with no 6, only 16+2 and could sleep all day every day. Hubby is due to go away for 10 weeks after Easter, so long as schools stay open I will be happy.

Oh yes. I have a 5 week old and a 2.5 year old, and it is so much easier now the baby has been born than it was when I was pregnant

(I went into spontaneous labour on a day my toddler went in nursery though and she was an absolute darling throughout it all though)

Good luck in the coming weeks!

Yup totally agree - I recently had twins and have a 4 year old and was pretty much on bed rest from 18 weeks....except bed rest with a 4 year old is impossible and not helped by the closure of schools!

I completely sympathise - I’m in the same boat, 32 weeks and have my bouncy DD (3.3) at home as her nursery is still shut. I am so tired and the guilt is awful... she’s watching too much TV!!

I remember this very well; at the time I read a thread on here about whether it’s harder having a newborn and toddler or pregnant with a toddler and most said pregnant with a toddler was harder which I was quite relieved at and would say is fairly true!

I have a 2.5 year old and a 2 week old so very early days but I have been absolutely amazed to find life so much easier since having the baby - people said it would be, but I didn't believe it. I really struggled with the newborn early days with DS1 but this time round the joy of not being pregnant and not having SPD (it disappeared like magic!) has got me a long way and it all feels fine!

36 weeks pregnant with a 3 year old DS here.. wow it's hard! I don't have the energy to keep up with him at all and feeling so guilty about it:( glad it's not just me x

Yep! I'm 30 weeks with mild SPD. 2 year old's nursery has been closed since Christmas. He was only there for 15hrs a week but it made such a difference. Yesterday's trip to doctors/ midwife apt (queue outside for 20 mins, forgot the pushchair) and quick pop into Aldi left me in pain and exhausted - I feel pathetic! I just don't have the energy to play with him all the time and am relying far too much on CBeebies.

The few days we've had nice weather, just sitting outside while he played in the garden has been lovely. But we're now back to wrapping up in 100 layers (ugh, the effort of getting him into his puddle suit, coat, hat, wellies) and sitting in the grey, cold, drizzly garden or playground and it's not enjoyable at all.

Although this thread as made me feel much more positive about it getting easier when the baby comes- so thank you!

100% OP! I'm 32 weeks and have a 3.5yo too. She's at preschool 3 days a week whilst I work but the other 4 days a week are absolutely shattering! I really do think it'll be easier once baby is actually here.

Funnily enough I was lured into a false sense of security as I found a newborn & toddler horrific (DS1 was 22 months though). Just wanted to mention for anyone who didn’t find it easier - not saying you won’t OP! Fingers crossed for you.

I’m 38 weeks pregnant with a 3.5 year old & 5 year old & it’s fairly easy as they entertain each other! I’m feeling pretty lucky tbh as hopefully the newborn will slot in & it won’t be as hard this time (wishful thinking!)

I'm 17 weeks with a 3.5 yr old and staring down the barrel of your op! It's getting harder already 😳

Yikes. I’m 21 weeks with a 2 year old and am already finding it hard. I’ve been contemplating sending my two year old in to the childminder full time when I get a bit bigger and this thread has convinced me it might be a good idea...

36 weeks here with a 5 year old and 16 month old - I feel your pain! Luckily youngest enjoys playing independently and is actually a very laid back child. 5yo isn’t exactly bouncing with energy but he always needs to be mentally stimulated and he hasn’t paused for breath since lockdown started. I’m at a point where I just want to sit in a silent dark room until I give birth. Monday can’t come quick enough when his school reopens.

Hang in there!

In my experience, being pregnant with small kids to look after is definitely the harder of the two.

I remember when I was pregnant with my second, my eldest was 2 and a half. I used to offer to sit on the sofa and watch a movie with her. Within minutes my eyes would dip and she’d be poke me in the eyeballs ‘No peeping! No peeping! Don’t you close your eyes!’

It was definitely easier when the baby arrived! Same third time round. I had SPD and could barely shuffle from one room to the next, couldn’t sleep and was so tired all the time.

Are you entitled to the 30 hours funding for nursery? I'd make full use of it if I were you. Nursery will get the most out of his energy and he'll have lots of fun.
Much more beneficial for him than dragging his exhausted mother around everywhere.

Finding these comments so comforting sorry ladies. But knowing I'm not alone definitely helps. Energy has actually picked up this week but won't hold my breath. I was fortunate enough to not feel particularly bad until around 30 weeks, to those of you struggling too - hang in there! Early nights are a game changer...

I know this is an old post but reading it all the comments is making me feel much better about my situation. I'm 38+6 with an 18 month old. we're isolating as I'm due a c section next week and need a PCR before going into hospital, therefore, currently have no help. My partner is fabulous when not working but works 10 hour days. It is extremely tough and I'm pleased to hear it seems to get easier once the baby is here.

@tilly0921 It doesn't last that long, you're so close now.
I was incredibly uncomfortable at the back end. Baby was 10lb 15oz @ 38+6 and she decided to come a day before my elcs booking so it was a bit rough. DH was working away until 3 days before birth so not much time for rest. Baby is 11wk old and sleeps through every night, winner!! lol

Best of luck with the birth

@Chelyanne sleeping through the night at 11 weeks...what a dream! But you poor thing carrying a 10lbs 15 oz baby!! You must have been extremely uncomfortable leading up to the birth.
Thank you so much for the reassurance, I am on the home run now for the big day x

This thread is giving me life. Currently 38+4 with a big baby and a 3.9 year old, its so hard I'm crying with relief every time he goes to bed! I can't wait to get baby out now.