It may sound wonderful to have children of the same age. They can be playmates and grow up together. And you only need to babyproof your home once. When reality hits, parents find that caring for a toddler as well as a newborn can be a high-stakes game of juggling.
Your toddler will climb, explore, and question everything, while your newborn requires constant feeding, changing, soothing, and holding. You’re running two marathons at once, while being sleep deprived and wearing clothing with questionable stains. You’re not the only one. Although the early stages of a new job can be difficult, they do not have to be impossible.
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Tips For Raising a Toddler and a Newborn At The Same Time
It’s no easy feat to raise a toddler at the same time as a newborn. There are a lot of emotional ups and downs, nap schedules, snack requests, and diaper changes. You may feel as if you are being pulled in different directions at all times. One child might need your attention, while the other wants to be cuddled. Even taking a shower and drinking a cup of hot coffee in the early days can seem like a monumental achievement. It can be a lifesaver to have ten practical tips at your fingertips.
Here are some life-saving tips and creative strategies to help you thrive and survive when caring for a toddler as well as a newborn.
1. Babywearing: Your Secret Weapon for Multitasking
Babywearing is one of the best strategies to handle two small children. You can keep your baby close to you while engaging with your toddler by using a wrap or carrier. Babywearing allows you to do everything without having to put your baby down, whether it is reading a book or supervising messy games.
This can also reduce your baby’s crying, keep them calm, and promote bonding. Bonus? Bonus?
You can feed your baby while wearing a carrier if you are confident enough. This is a great solution for public places or busy outings. Choose a carrier with good support and learn how to position your baby safely. Comfort is important when you are wearing your child for long periods of time.
2. Embrace Your Village: Toddler Wranglers Welcome
Accept help from friends and family. Take your toddler for an hour to the park or entertain them at home as you rest.
Consider a Mum-swap arrangement with a friend. You can take turns watching the toddlers of each other for short periods. This gives you time to yourself, and your child can enjoy a playmate. You may be surprised by how just 30 minutes of breathing space can change your whole day.
You can also contact local parenting groups if you don’t live near any family. Many communities offer playgroups or informal childcare swaps for parents of young children.
3. Fenced Parks & Outdoor Spaces: The Best Containment
When you have a toddler as well as a newborn in your care, fenced play areas are your best friends. You can let your child explore and burn off energy without worrying about them getting into danger.
You’re ready to go with a blanket, some baby essentials and snacks for all. You can let your toddler run around while you take care of your baby. Bring water, sunscreen and a hat for safety and to keep cool. If you plan well, you may even be able to nap on your way home.
Do not underestimate the importance of movement and fresh air for you, your child, and yourself. Even 30 to 45 minutes of outdoor time can improve everyone’s mood.
4. Embrace Simple Meals. Hot Chips do count!
Gourmet food isn’t on your menu when you have to balance multiple naptimes, potty trips, feeding sessions and household chaos. It’s fine. All leftovers and hot chips, toast, bananas or yogurt, as well as toast, toast or bananas, count as meals. What matters is that you keep your children fed.
Use freezer meals, snack dishes, or even takeaway dinners occasionally without feeling guilty. Toddlers enjoy familiar and easy-to-eat food, while babies aren’t fussy about what you eat, as long as you feed them.
Don’t feel the need to do everything in the kitchen. Sometimes, survival meals are just what everyone needs.
5. Washable markers and stickers = Instant Distraction
Washable Markers and Stickers. You can use them to buy yourself some quiet time as you feed your baby or sneak a breather.
For emergency entertainment, keep a stash of toys in your car or nappy bags, as well as on your bedside tables. While you concentrate on your newborn, encourage your toddler to decorate an old cereal box or draw on a glass window with window markers.
Be sure to check that they are marked nontoxic and washable. Then you can relax, knowing even your body art or masterpieces on the wall can be removed.
6. Drive-Through Treats to Save Your Sanity and Caffeine
In the early months of parenting, sleep deprivation is a common problem. Drive-through Coffee Shops or tea stops can seem like a miracle. There’s no need to get dressed, unpack the car seat or wrestle with toddler shoes. Simply drive, order and revive.
You might get to enjoy a hot drink after a trip where nobody cries. You can feel human again by enjoying the smallest of pleasures, like sipping a cup of coffee in the car while your toddler watches a movie and the baby sleeps.
You are not indulging; you are fueling your body for the parent marathon.
7. Create a simple routine (and be flexible when it breaks)
Routines help toddlers feel safe and predictable. Try to anchor your day with a few moments, such as breakfast, naps, outdoor play and bedtime.
Flexibility is important. The schedule of your baby may change every week, and toddlers will have their own opinions about everything. Instead of rigid schedules, try to create a flexible rhythm that allows your day to flow without interruption.
Your routine should support you and not cause you stress.
8. It’s Worth Teaching Independent Play
Encourage your toddler to play on Their Own. It is not selfish, but it will save your sanity and help them develop. Set up little invitations for play, such as a basket with toy animals, magnetic tiles or board books.
Starting with a few minutes and increasing the time gradually is the best way to go. It’s good to be nearby and comment on occasion (“Oh, I can see you stacking blocks!”). Even when your child is playing alone, you can help them feel connected by being nearby and occasionally commenting (“Oh, I see you’re stacking blocks!”).
You can use this time to take care of the baby or just relax.
9. Reduce the bar and let go of guilt
It’s okay if your house isn’t spotless and your child watches more TV than usual. That’s okay. This is not the perfect year. These are years of survival.
You don’t have to feel guilty about screen time, mismatched clothes, or missing storytime on some days. You need to be there for your children, not make elaborate crafts or gourmet meals. They just want you and love.
You’re doing well if everyone is happy, healthy, and fed at the end of the day.
10. Celebrate small wins
It’s easy to forget how much work you do when raising two young children. You’ve accomplished something every time that you calm a baby down while also calming the tantrum.
Celebrate your small victories. You can write them down, send a text to a friend or simply mentally high-five yourself.
Although this stage is difficult, it’s a time of learning and adapting to your child.
11. Remember, it will get easier
Although the days seem to drag on forever, they do. Your toddler will become independent, and your baby will be laughing, crawling and sleeping more. They’ll one day entertain each other and form a relationship that will make all their hard work worthwhile.
Rest when you can. Rest when you are able. Laugh whenever you can. And know that you’re doing something extraordinary–raising two small humans at once.
Final Thoughts
You’ll find that caring for both a toddler AND a newborn is one of your most difficult parenting tasks. It can be messy, unpredictable and overwhelming. It’s a phase, but it is also one filled with moments of joy and connection.
You are not alone. Use these tips to simplify your life. The chaos will eventually settle. Your confidence will increase. One day, you will look back at your life and realise that you didn’t just survive, but you thrived.
