Mums with a newborn and toddler/preschooler, share your wisdom!

I’m currently planning for the postnatal period with a newborn and a toddler (my son will be 3.5yo by the time baby comes). I want us all to be as prepared as possible for that period as I really struggled mentally last time so I’d love to know… what really helped you during those first weeks with a newborn and toddler? What advice do you have? What would you have done differently? My son understands that there’s a baby growing in mummy’s tummy and we have a book that talks through pregnancy week by week but if anyone has recommendations/advice on preparing your toddler (particularly for life with a new baby) they’d be greatly appreciated too!

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Following. I'm keeping my son in daycare so he can have as much normalcy as possible. Other then that I don't know.

Continue daycare as much as possible and any regular classes/commitments Get toddler to help as much as possible even if it's only choosing clothes for baby etc etc Get a gift from baby for toddler that might keep him busy when you need to (connetix, toniebox, activity books )

Following. We are in the same position.

I’m due my second any day now! I will be sure to update you when I know of any tips that can help 😅 but at the moment I’m terrified 😂

@Ellie Yeah, my son goes to nursery for 15 hours a week but baby is due right before the summer holidays so he’ll be home until baby is about 6/7 weeks. My mum and sister are close by and have already said they’ll happily take him to give us some time to rest etc. which I really appreciate!

@Isabelle Thank you, please do! We’re very lucky to have my mum and sister nearby who have already said they’ll take my toddler out to give us time to rest which I’m sure will be a huge help but I’m also cautious that I don’t want my older son to feel like he’s being left out/pushed away so I’m trying to think about how to give him some 1 on 1 time too. So much to think about and I’m really trying not to stress but this baby was a pleasant surprise so I hadn’t really given the practicalities of two much thought until I found out I was pregnant haha x

Have exactly 3.5 year age gap. I was extremely worried as my first wasn’t overly happy about the new arrival… needless to say, I didn’t need too! Baby slept a lot so it made transition very easy! Would recommend putting in moses basket or baby wear as much as possible. My baby is 16 weeks now and eldest has adapted very well! To include my eldest I’ll always say things like ‘you did xyz as a baby’ so she knows she has the same attention if that makes sense. Xx

Following. I have just over 2 weeks left before our second baby boy arrives. But I want him to be used to the norm and attend nursery as he is. I do have my mum and Nan near by but for the time being my partner will be taking as much time off as possible as I’ll be having a c section so I need all the help I can get. It’s going to be a learning curve for all and something big to get “used to” other than that we’re just winging it 😅🤣x

Try to think through what your partner will need to do with the toddler after the baby comes, and have them start doing it now. Eg bedtimes and getting dressed in the morning. That way, if your toddler gets upset about mummy not doing something, they don’t blame it on the baby

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