Your second child is coming and you’re feeling reasonably laidback. You have this. You’ve done everything previously. But, not exactly. Since this time around, your hours on the couch taking care of will be joined not by a crate set but rather by a baby attempting to get you up to play. Furthermore, those long strolls while the child dozed in the pram? Indeed, they will currently include the pressure of attempting to resolve what you’ll do in the event that your little child scrambles toward the street. This list suggests a few tips for when you’re juggling your baby and your toddler at the same time.
You’ll give the potential changes to your current family structure a lot of attention while you’re preparing for or expecting a second child. There are many details to work out, such as where your new baby will sleep, whether or not they will use your toddler’s old cot, and how you will get around with two small nippers.
1. Double stroller
One of the first questions that most parents have is this, and it can occasionally be challenging to know for sure. When there is only a 16-month age difference, getting a double stroller is a no-brainer because your oldest child may have just started walking and will undoubtedly still be dependent on the pushchair.
You might ask if you can get by without a double pram if you have a different age difference, such as a newborn and a toddler between the ages of 2 and 3. This actually depends on your specific situation, and we go over several typical uses for a double stroller below, along with possible substitute solutions for getting by without one.
You should be sure that you’ll use your double stroller a lot before making an investment in one. The following questions can help:
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Age
A double stroller alternative might be conceivable if your older child is going to be approximately 3 years old. However, it can be difficult to be sure as you can’t be certain how much walking your child will be doing by the time they are 6 months old. Therefore, it is best to take lifestyle aspects into account in addition to your toddler’s age.
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How much walking do I do?
A double stroller is certainly worthwhile to purchase if you enjoy taking long strolls with your child in a stroller because children under the age of three only have short legs. If you normally walk a mile or two and want to keep doing so, it will be challenging without a double stroller because they can’t move far or quickly.
Additionally, if your toddler stops every 30 seconds to examine a leaf, watch a bus, or simply sit on the floor for no reason, it can be difficult to make your new baby’s scheduled naps in the stroller happen.
However, if you primarily drive or take public transportation when you’re out, you could find living without a car easier which would help you in juggling your baby and your toddler at the same time.
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Stroller board
Double strollers come in various shapes and sizes and permit you to move a little child and a baby simultaneously in solace. Babies need to lie flat in the event that they’re going in a buggy, while curious little children need to see what’s going on around them.
Most strollers are compatible with a toddler board, making navigating two children easy for short journeys to the store or when completing your chores outdoors.
2. Set-up a toddler area
In the event that you’re really focusing on a baby and a newborn child, setting up areas where the little child can take part in play without anyone else is vital. You’ll need to incorporate kid sized shelves or bins that make tidy up simple and permit your toddler to pick toys that encourage independent play.
Think blocks, materials to colour with, and other art supplies, play food, and simple puzzles. Ensure you have a toddler sized table and seat and that every one of the things are kid safe.
Depending upon the design, size, and kid hazards present in your home, you might need to partition a region with a pen or entryway so that you’ll know your toddler is protected and contained. This is especially significant as you will have to step away or turn your back sporadically while really focusing on your baby and you’re probably going to be worn out as well as distracted now and again.
Similarly, make a different place of refuge for the child, which could be a swing, playpen, or crib, with the goal that you have a spot to securely put down your child when your baby needs your full focus.
3. Coordinating naps
It’s not exactly simple or easy, however planning rest time so both your newborn and your toddler (and conceivably you too) are sleeping simultaneously can go quite far toward saving your mental stability during the day. Your little child’s rests are bound to be steady, so work to get one of your baby’s rests to occur simultaneously.
You can take a stab at putting them both down simultaneously. This is especially compelling on the off chance that they share a room. Or on the other hand have a go at getting your infant to rest first, as they normally will rest for a more drawn out time frame. Then, at that point, put down your toddler. On the other hand, you could put your child down and afterward rests with your baby. This is a decent strategy on the off chance that you need a short rest, as well. It could be experimentation from the get go, yet putting forth the attempt to synchronize rests will pay off.
Assuming your efforts fizzle, utilize your baby’s rest time to invest quality energy with your toddler as well as the other way around. Having a couple of moments alone with every kid can help you all to feel more grounded and associated. It likewise can allow you an opportunity to check in and be more present with one another.
4. Story time but without a book
In the event that your arms are full with your infant, getting a book to read to your toddler or playing a game may not be reasonable. Rather than reading a story, tell one. While you can make up a story about anything, in the event that you’re confused, begin with anything your baby is into at that point — for instance, superheroes, trains, princesses, or pups. You additionally can tell them what they (or you) were like as a baby, very much like their new sibling.
Toddlers usually get very excited of what they did when they were infants. You can likewise take a stab at describing how you are really focusing on the child and afterward contrast it with how you really focused on the baby. On the other hand, you can sing melodies with them or take a go at having your baby turn the pages to read them a few books.
5. Ready to go
On the off chance that you have an infant at home, being involved with a toddler consistently can be unrealistic. Busy bees are exactly what they sound like – independent, basic toys, craft supplies, and games that are intended to keep toddlers occupied.
Keep these sacks (which could likewise be canisters) reserved in a far away spot that is likewise helpful for you to get (say on a high rack or in a cabinet or storage room) when you want to zero in on your child, for example, during a diaper change or shower.
Fill the packs with things you figure your baby would appreciate, like a couple of squishy toys, building blocks, pastels, and paper, or delicate books, try to not give your kid prepared admittance to the sacks so they will have elevated interest in the items when you need to keep them involved.
6. Let your toddler help
Keep your toddler occupied and assist them with feeling a piece of really focusing on their new sibling by enrolling them as your exceptional partner — you might try and get some genuine assistance out of the arrangement. While a little child can’t take on muddled or direct child care undertakings unaided, they can achieve many little jobs.
For instance, request that your little child get a diaper, clatter, or burp fabric for your baby or to get you an apple or granola bar. They could even sing a tune or do a dance to entertain the baby. You can have them assist you with picking the baby’s next outfit or assist you with delicately wiping them off after a shower. Remembering your little child for these errands assists them with feeling valuable and capable, shows them new abilities, and keeps them close by.
7. Prioritize quality time with your toddler
Similarly as you’ll need to have quality time with your infant, make certain to likewise plan one-on-one time for yourself as well as your toddler. Your child’s rest time or potentially when companions or family members come to see the child might set out great open doors for you to sneak in a game, book or smaller than normal outing with your toddler.
Doing so will build up your bond with your more seasoned kid and guarantee that the two youngsters get the advantages of full focus. As a matter of fact, research shows that the progress to siblinghood is considerably less liable to be unpleasant and troublesome for the more seasoned youngster when endeavors are made to focus on their relationship with their parent.
8. Say Yes for help
Once in a while admitting you want assistance is tough, yet it’s so significant when you are shuffling a baby and a toddler. Say “YES” if a companion, parent, or relative offers to watch your little child so you can invest one-on-one energy with your toddler. Or on the other hand, have a sitter watch the child so you can take your toddler out for some special time together.
On the other hand, find assistance in juggling your baby and your toddler at the same time so you can have time for self-care, housework, your job, sleeping, and whatever else you need or have to do. Having open doors for alone time for you and with every one of your kids is significant for every one of you.
A word from Baccani
Shuffling a toddler and a baby is a lot of work, however as a second-time parent you know it’s just a momentary period — and one to love as it goes by so rapidly. Getting creative helps, requesting support is principal, and taking into account the necessities of every kid is significant. Likewise, remember about the significance of taking care of oneself, as you can’t completely focus on your kids in the event that you’re not dealing with yourself.
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