Hi everyone. I have recently found out that I'm pregnant. My son will be around 18 months when I become a mother of 2 under 2! Any tips on how to maintain my sanity and keep my home looking somewhat presentable (or accept defeat now?)
How does everyone manage naps and getting out of the house? Is it really as terrifying as everyone's makes it out to be?
Thanks for any advice!
2 under 2
2 under 2
Posted in:
Pregnancy, Baby & Toddler
5 Replies
Get your house super duper child proofed before the baby comes. You just won't have the same time to watch number 1. At 18months he will be getting into shit.
So things that are fragile, put them up really high, box them up for now or put them in a room you can keep the door closed on.
Poisons, cleaning products get them up real high or in locked cupboards.
Decide which rooms you want the eldest to have free access to, and the ones you don't, get in the habit now of keeping the doors shut that you don't want he/she to have free access to.
Think about if you need to put up baby gates.
Kids close together are so much easier! You can entertain them much easier and finding places to suit both ages is a breeze. It can be overwhelming but trust me it's much easier than a big age gap! Enjoy it :)
I have an 18 month gap between my two - the youngest is now 4 months. Some things that we did before bub was born were; transfer the eldest from cot to bed and got rid of the bottle (still on the dummy though ?), husband took over the bedtime routine, stocked the freezer with frozen meals, encouraged #1 to climb into car seat by herself, got all of the baby toys and stuff out and let her play with it so it wasn't all so new when there was a baby in there, sent our eldest for a couple over nighters with the grandparents in preparation for when she stayed there when bub was born and try and have your eldest in a good routine.
If you're lucky the kids afternoon sleeps will cross over which is a lifesaver. Accept help! I found going out the hardest in particular getting in and out of the car - this is when it's helpful if the eldest can get in and out of the car with you helping one handed. I babywear a lot and have a double pram. Have a bag of tricks for when you are breastfeeding. With the house cleaning I have one 'big thing' (vacuuming, cleaning bathroom, changing sheets etc) a day that I do and every night once the kids are in bed try and do a quick run around and tidy up.
But be prepared that there absolutely will be days where the house is a mess, you pop on a frozen meal and do enough to keep the kids happy. I've just had a whole week of it with the eldest having tonsillitis and the baby going through sleep regression. But you've got this and it's such a joy watching them grow together. My youngest just adores his sister. You'll be fine x
Thank you so much for your kind advice everyone! I'm absolutely taking notes, sounds like I wont lose my sanity ?
I am a single parent and had 2 under 2. I found the first 6 months the most difficult but it has just got easier as time goes on. I've never worried about how my house looks. I slept when I could with the kids. My mistake was expecting too much from the older child when he was still such a baby. It's a joyful experience (especially in hindsight ☺). Best of luck and congratulations.