Any tips on how to cope with newborn and toddler??

[Neneie]

Any tips or advice needed!

I have a 30 month old DD and a 3 weeks old DS. My OH is going back to work on Tuesday and I am dreading it!! My DS fusses a lot during the daytime and doesn't seem to sleep really and I am trying to tend to him and then DD gets bored and starts playing up and then I end up shouting at her. I feel bad as she is probably attention seeking but she is doing something usually she knows not to do. I guess I am after some tips on how to make my day smoother (if there is any such thing! lol)

x

 

[jaybee]

I have just written something so similar!

My advice to get out of the house every day. If I an get my toddler active outside my Amy goes so much better.
Get ur toddler to be your helper. Ask them to fetch nappies, wipes, toys, remote etc. ( I wish mine was old enough to make me a cuppa!)
HTH. xx

 

[karlilay]

Yes make the most of getting out, even just for a walk. Fresh air does the world of good. I had Zach in Jan, Madi was just two, and it was freezing, i dont drive and i live in a tiny village so we were cooped up for months.

Z hardly slept either, until i got him checked, and he had silent reflux. He was put on giviscon and actually started sleeping longer than 15 minute stretches. I would also say, as exhausting as it is, when he does have a sleep, forget about the housework, just sit and play with your toddler. I made time for Madi every day to do some craft,playdough etc, even if it did mean the house was a bomb site.

 

[jaybee]

Yep I agree with that about playing when bay is asleep.

 

[Arcanegirl]

Get a decent carrier!
I have a Boba 3G and it has been a lifesaver for keeping my hands free but baby still close to me.

 

[bbyno1]

Alot of mums swear by baby wearing so that you can get things done.
I did try but Sophia hated it or thats what i would be doing. I agree on getting out daily. Makes me feel like a different person once we are all out the house lol even though sometimes it takes me agess to get out! Aliyah is generally well behaved but lately Sophia takes up most of my attention so Aliyahs starting to get bored i think.

Theres always something needing to be done so when Sophia does sleep i find myself juggling between playing with Aliyah and tidying and getting ready myself.

I think the older they get the easier it will be.

 

[LuckyD]

Stalking this thread.....!

 

[FlowerFairy]

I practically LIVE at Tesco!! Seriously, we just get out every day even if it's a walk to Tesco and back. I also baby wear a lot. I let Noah be the helper, getting stuff and we also play with the baby by doing traffic Jams around her Noah thinks this is hilarious and Saskia laughs when Noah does so it's a winner !!!

 

[pictureperfect]

That's almost the exact same age difference as mine. Connor is 9 weeks old and chlo is 3 and a half, my theory is as long as Connor is fed, clean etc then I can make time to play with Chloe, I have time with him when hubby gets in from work, chloe knows and understands now that if I'm feeding him I can't do anything but if I'm not I can. I make a point of going out evey at too, even if just for a walk or to the park, Chloe is in nursery 2 and a half days a week which helps loads.

The worst thing I've found is the amount of energy she has first thing in the ,owning and after a sleepless night it's hard to try and be energetic!

 

[Baby France]

I would get yourself prepared every night once the kids are in bed for the next day. Getting clothes and bags ready.

I agree with getting out. Even if its just a walk to the shops. We would go on treasure hunts in the park for leaves and that. It would keep DS busy and DD would watch the world go by. Same with soft play areas too in case it rains.

The fresh air used to tire them out and by the time I'd got back both would want a little snooze, giving me time for either a snooze, brew or housework.

Try and get activities planned for your little girl too or even get her to help. DS loved helping me get her nappies or wipes.

I bought some nursery song cd's too and while DD had a kick on the mat, DS and I would sing and dance around her.

 

[Baby France]

Just to add....it does get easier and you'll get to a point at how you wondered why you ever fretted when!

But both of mine are walking and talking and potty trained.

Good luck!!

 

[Neneie]

Yes make the most of getting out, even just for a walk. Fresh air does the world of good. I had Zach in Jan, Madi was just two, and it was freezing, i dont drive and i live in a tiny village so we were cooped up for months.

Z hardly slept either, until i got him checked, and he had silent reflux. He was put on giviscon and actually started sleeping longer than 15 minute stretches. I would also say, as exhausting as it is, when he does have a sleep, forget about the housework, just sit and play with your toddler. I made time for Madi every day to do some craft,playdough etc, even if it did mean the house was a bomb site.

yeah I guess looking at the house like a bomb site makes me depressed!! as you say just got to ignore it and play with DD! x

 

[Neneie]

That's almost the exact same age difference as mine. Connor is 9 weeks old and chlo is 3 and a half, my theory is as long as Connor is fed, clean etc then I can make time to play with Chloe, I have time with him when hubby gets in from work, chloe knows and understands now that if I'm feeding him I can't do anything but if I'm not I can. I make a point of going out evey at too, even if just for a walk or to the park, Chloe is in nursery 2 and a half days a week which helps loads.

The worst thing I've found is the amount of energy she has first thing in the ,owning and after a sleepless night it's hard to try and be energetic!

yeah when my DD wakes in the morning she is wanting to wake up DS and has loads of energy!! im half asleep though!

DD goes to nursery one day a week which she did when i went to work so I am keeping this up as she loves it. Also my mum is going to help out a lot in a few weeks. She looks after my niece as well but she will be back at school soon so my mum will be free to help me yay!

I will definitely go out every day, so far we have walked around the block with DS in the pram and DD brought her doll's pram with her which she loved! x

 

[beatnick]

Get your toddler to help as much as possible. Get them out for a walk and pray for a simultaneous nap (amazing when it works) and encourage toddler to make the baby smile. Now when iris cries zakk goes to her and distracts her which buys me time.
Most of the time we are a walking disaster zone and I've just sort of embraced that!

 

[polaris]

Good thread, I'm stalking too! I'm still in the brand new newborn honeymoon phase at the moment where they just want to sleep all the time but I'm just waiting for all hell to break loose over the next week or so!

 

[Robiloo]

I will be keeping an eye on this as I'm going to have an 18 month old and a newborn in march.. eek

 

[KittyVentura]

Right.

Get clothes ready the night before.
Get dressed, all of you, before you go downstairs for the day. As tempting as it is to stay in PJs a while, do NOT do it..
Get your bag replaced ready to go out again just as soon as you can after getting back in. Make sure it's all ready to go. Even get t on the pram etc too.
Make sure the pram is set up and ready to go. E.g rain overs on if going to be wet etc. do this the night beforehand.
Make the mostbofevery chance you get to tidy while your toddler is awake. E.g if sat having a snack or distracted doing crafts etc. It leaves time free for play and also any toddler nap time free for bonding with baby.
Put all your washing straight in the machine and not a basket. Makes it easier todo a load as soon as you have enough.
Get out EVERYDAY. Even just for a walk.
Make sure you have ample "last resort" treats or distractions available. For us it's toddler mags with stickers etc.
Play with your toddler every chance you can get when baby goes down etc.
I'd say to sod the housework but personally that makes me stressed and flustered. Just be wise with your time to get it done.
Encourage your toddler to help you. Fin likes to fetch wipes, nappies etc.
Include baby in playtime. We sit her in the bumbo and build towers next to her (low ones) and wait for her to wave her arms and knock it over etc.
Also, this one will sound shit but I find the day goes smoother if I don't even try to make time for myself. If I find time then great, but if I don't then it's no loss. I think if I was TRYING to find time to do my hair nicer r make up or to read etc in the day I'd get stressed if I couldnt.

Hope that helps love, and goodluck.

Oh, routine helps too xx

 

[minties]

What a great thread. I'm so terrified of how I will cope.

 

[ttcfirstbb]

Ive been coping pretty well. But am afraid of how I will once my husband goes back to work. Right now he watches our toddler while I nap with baby or have a lie in in the am. He goes back in about a week.

 

[polaris]

Right.

Get clothes ready the night before.
Get dressed, all of you, before you go downstairs for the day. As tempting as it is to stay in PJs a while, do NOT do it..
Get your bag replaced ready to go out again just as soon as you can after getting back in. Make sure it's all ready to go. Even get t on the pram etc too.
Make sure the pram is set up and ready to go. E.g rain overs on if going to be wet etc. do this the night beforehand.
Make the mostbofevery chance you get to tidy while your toddler is awake. E.g if sat having a snack or distracted doing crafts etc. It leaves time free for play and also any toddler nap time free for bonding with baby.
Put all your washing straight in the machine and not a basket. Makes it easier todo a load as soon as you have enough.
Get out EVERYDAY. Even just for a walk.
Make sure you have ample "last resort" treats or distractions available. For us it's toddler mags with stickers etc.
Play with your toddler every chance you can get when baby goes down etc.
I'd say to sod the housework but personally that makes me stressed and flustered. Just be wise with your time to get it done.
Encourage your toddler to help you. Fin likes to fetch wipes, nappies etc.
Include baby in playtime. We sit her in the bumbo and build towers next to her (low ones) and wait for her to wave her arms and knock it over etc.
Also, this one will sound shit but I find the day goes smoother if I don't even try to make time for myself. If I find time then great, but if I don't then it's no loss. I think if I was TRYING to find time to do my hair nicer r make up or to read etc in the day I'd get stressed if I couldnt.

Hope that helps love, and goodluck.

Oh, routine helps too xx

This is really useful, thanks for taking the time to reply.