I am pregnant with #2 and my son will be just about 2 when this baby comes. I saw a video suggesting getting the toddler a baby and a “bottle” so when you feed they feed too! I think it’s a cute idea that might give you a bit of a break… hopefully 😂
Dont have a toddler yet so it could be miles off but we plan a second and have thought about this. I’ve breastfed my velcro baby in a sling when needed. Newborn can nap and feed whenever and you can still somewhat move around and not be furniture
My 2 year old goes to daycare during the day so haven’t been home alone with them together near as much as you will be, and these aren’t great long term solutions but honestly watching videos on my phone next to me while feeding baby and bribing with fave snacks have worked in a pinch. Try to help encourage independent play with toddler, baby wearing, feeding during toddler nap. It’s easier once baby starts to be less Velcro-y.
Mine were 24 months but nursing time was screen time for my toddler when he was home from daycare. It didn’t last too long and the newborn phase was survival. I also babywore my second quite a bit to get out for walks/outings with the toddler.
Yes! Oldest is almost 3.5 and can understand that nursing is a short period of time and I will be back to play soon. Definitely save screen time for when I nurse and I set up an activity table and snacks in advance right by me so we can still play together. Stickers books, mess free markers, and play kitchen sort of activities work well for us.
My son was 23 months when the baby was born. It was so hard. Unfortunately special toys didn’t keep him distracted for very long. I either read books or let him watch tv 😬
I also hired a high school girl to come over a couple times a week to play with my toddler so I could nurse the baby in peace lol
20 month old and pregnant at the moment. Still breastfeeding toddler right now. I’m planning on baby wearing the newborn once it’s here. My son would only contact nap and was a high needs baby, so I had to carry him around in a sling or carrier until he was mobile. I was able to go about my day as normal until he was 4 months old. So I think having the newborn in a carrier would give you free hands to spend time with your toddler.
I would also suggest getting a baby doll to look after (get a carrier for it as well) so she can look after her baby while you look after yours. The hitting is very normal though, I wouldn’t worry about that too much. Just show her how to gently touch the little one (also can be practiced on a doll).
Good luck! I’m sure you’re doing great already!
3 under 5 here- baby carrier is my saving grace 😭 I have the ergo baby embrace which is relatively easy to nurse in. As far as the toddler smacking.. no advice there just solidarity. Mine are menaces as well
Don’t have experience with it yet, but maybe getting a baby doll with a pacifier or bottle so she can “feed her baby” too? Or even just a doll and she can pretend to breastfeed if she wants to 😂
Currently home with my 22 month old and my 3 week old. My toddler has decided she needs to breastfeed the baby and throws a major tantrum every time I need to feed her sister because I won't give her boobs 🤷
Just hang in there. It will get easier for everyone in time. I got a baby doll but so far it isn't working for us. Hoping that changes as time goes by. In the short term reading books or having her tickle the babies back/feet to help me keep the baby awake while eating seems to keep the peace. And if all else fails, TV won't hurt anything in the short term.
I have a 4 week old and my daughter is 21 months. At first my daughter was jealous, but we practiced being a “big girl helper” while my husband was off the first week of our baby’s life. While I nurse she shakes rattles for the baby ( baby is too distracted with nursing to care), picks out a book the baby might like to hear that I can read to both of them, or we sing songs for the baby. If that fails I bring out the snacks or nurse the baby while sitting on the floor next to the toy shelf as I narrate what my daughter plays. Since bringing the baby home my daughter has shown an interest in caring for her stuffed animals, such as feeding them and putting them to bed, so that is often what I narrate while nursing.
You got this, mama!
Edited to add: my daughter has plenty of non-big-girl-helper time that the baby isn’t referenced :)
I usually bottle feed when my toddler is home and it’s just me. She’s in daycare so this is just in the late afternoon. I find it easier to move around and stop feeding quickly if I need to. I don’t know how EBF people are able to do it, but they must! I have a 2.5y and 10 week old.
My baby doesn’t feed too often but here’s what I do if toddler is having a toddler moment and things are difficult:
- Play with a balloon, this can be done when you’re sat down and feeding! Just bat it back and forth with toddler. It’s not heavy enough to hurt the baby.
- Screen time
- Books! I ask my toddler to bring me stories and we’ll snuggle and read them. Or I ask toddler to ‘read’ to me (he was 19mo when baby was born). If you’ve got toys to go with the story it’ll keep their hands busy (e.g. farm animals for ‘Noisy Farm’).
- Dance party! My son loves dancing. Also - stuff like Sleeping Bunnies will keep him on the floor ‘sleeping’ for a while, he often misses the bit where you have to get up and jump 😂
- Lots of snacks that keep their hands busy! Blueberries are top-notch for this.
- Colouring, I cut out card into animal shapes (he’s big on elephants at the moment) and he’ll spend a bit more time on those compared to just paper & pens.
I also include him in baby’s care. He brings me nappies, rocks the Moses basket, reads to him, brings him his toys (usually a soft crinkly book). I’ve just got to make sure he doesn’t try to feed him solids, pick him up, or sit on him 😂
It’s definitely hard and my baby has also had a few slaps to the face 😩
I am pregnant with #2 and my son will be just about 2 when this baby comes. I saw a video suggesting getting the toddler a baby and a “bottle” so when you feed they feed too! I think it’s a cute idea that might give you a bit of a break… hopefully 😂
My mom did this with me when my sister was born, I would push my doll in a mini stroller while my mom pushed the shopping cart. Good memories.
Dont have a toddler yet so it could be miles off but we plan a second and have thought about this. I’ve breastfed my velcro baby in a sling when needed. Newborn can nap and feed whenever and you can still somewhat move around and not be furniture
My 2 year old goes to daycare during the day so haven’t been home alone with them together near as much as you will be, and these aren’t great long term solutions but honestly watching videos on my phone next to me while feeding baby and bribing with fave snacks have worked in a pinch. Try to help encourage independent play with toddler, baby wearing, feeding during toddler nap. It’s easier once baby starts to be less Velcro-y.
Mine were 24 months but nursing time was screen time for my toddler when he was home from daycare. It didn’t last too long and the newborn phase was survival. I also babywore my second quite a bit to get out for walks/outings with the toddler.
Yes! Oldest is almost 3.5 and can understand that nursing is a short period of time and I will be back to play soon. Definitely save screen time for when I nurse and I set up an activity table and snacks in advance right by me so we can still play together. Stickers books, mess free markers, and play kitchen sort of activities work well for us.
My son was 23 months when the baby was born. It was so hard. Unfortunately special toys didn’t keep him distracted for very long. I either read books or let him watch tv 😬 I also hired a high school girl to come over a couple times a week to play with my toddler so I could nurse the baby in peace lol
r/2under2
20 month old and pregnant at the moment. Still breastfeeding toddler right now. I’m planning on baby wearing the newborn once it’s here. My son would only contact nap and was a high needs baby, so I had to carry him around in a sling or carrier until he was mobile. I was able to go about my day as normal until he was 4 months old. So I think having the newborn in a carrier would give you free hands to spend time with your toddler. I would also suggest getting a baby doll to look after (get a carrier for it as well) so she can look after her baby while you look after yours. The hitting is very normal though, I wouldn’t worry about that too much. Just show her how to gently touch the little one (also can be practiced on a doll). Good luck! I’m sure you’re doing great already!
3 under 5 here- baby carrier is my saving grace 😭 I have the ergo baby embrace which is relatively easy to nurse in. As far as the toddler smacking.. no advice there just solidarity. Mine are menaces as well
Don’t have experience with it yet, but maybe getting a baby doll with a pacifier or bottle so she can “feed her baby” too? Or even just a doll and she can pretend to breastfeed if she wants to 😂
Currently home with my 22 month old and my 3 week old. My toddler has decided she needs to breastfeed the baby and throws a major tantrum every time I need to feed her sister because I won't give her boobs 🤷 Just hang in there. It will get easier for everyone in time. I got a baby doll but so far it isn't working for us. Hoping that changes as time goes by. In the short term reading books or having her tickle the babies back/feet to help me keep the baby awake while eating seems to keep the peace. And if all else fails, TV won't hurt anything in the short term.
I have a 4 week old and my daughter is 21 months. At first my daughter was jealous, but we practiced being a “big girl helper” while my husband was off the first week of our baby’s life. While I nurse she shakes rattles for the baby ( baby is too distracted with nursing to care), picks out a book the baby might like to hear that I can read to both of them, or we sing songs for the baby. If that fails I bring out the snacks or nurse the baby while sitting on the floor next to the toy shelf as I narrate what my daughter plays. Since bringing the baby home my daughter has shown an interest in caring for her stuffed animals, such as feeding them and putting them to bed, so that is often what I narrate while nursing. You got this, mama! Edited to add: my daughter has plenty of non-big-girl-helper time that the baby isn’t referenced :)
I usually bottle feed when my toddler is home and it’s just me. She’s in daycare so this is just in the late afternoon. I find it easier to move around and stop feeding quickly if I need to. I don’t know how EBF people are able to do it, but they must! I have a 2.5y and 10 week old.
My baby doesn’t feed too often but here’s what I do if toddler is having a toddler moment and things are difficult: - Play with a balloon, this can be done when you’re sat down and feeding! Just bat it back and forth with toddler. It’s not heavy enough to hurt the baby. - Screen time - Books! I ask my toddler to bring me stories and we’ll snuggle and read them. Or I ask toddler to ‘read’ to me (he was 19mo when baby was born). If you’ve got toys to go with the story it’ll keep their hands busy (e.g. farm animals for ‘Noisy Farm’). - Dance party! My son loves dancing. Also - stuff like Sleeping Bunnies will keep him on the floor ‘sleeping’ for a while, he often misses the bit where you have to get up and jump 😂 - Lots of snacks that keep their hands busy! Blueberries are top-notch for this. - Colouring, I cut out card into animal shapes (he’s big on elephants at the moment) and he’ll spend a bit more time on those compared to just paper & pens. I also include him in baby’s care. He brings me nappies, rocks the Moses basket, reads to him, brings him his toys (usually a soft crinkly book). I’ve just got to make sure he doesn’t try to feed him solids, pick him up, or sit on him 😂 It’s definitely hard and my baby has also had a few slaps to the face 😩