While it is very exciting to have a new baby home, it can also be tricky to manage a toddler around the baby. Here are a few things I tried that made it easier to handle the two munchkins at home.
1. Prepare the toddler mentally while you are still pregnant
Throughout my pregnancy, I spoke about the baby to my toddler. This got her very excited and she started speaking about the baby to all her friends and teachers at her school as well. As we got close to due date, I explained how the baby will still be very little and will take a while before she can play with him.
2. Shower toddler with loads of hugs and kisses
Most toddlers need a lot of attention and love to keep them away from tantrums. Any lack of attention generally leads to a tantrum in seconds. While it can be quite choatic with a baby around, make sure you can manage a quick hug and kiss whenever you see the toddler wanting extra attention.
3. Ensure one parent is always dedicated to the toddler
As we have two kids right now, this is something that worked for us. While mommy needs to be busy with baby most of the times due to feeding needs, daddy can spend a lot of extra time with the toddler giving his complete attention.
4. Make a toddler play kit
My toddler loves reading books and so I always had a few books next to my feeding place so I can interact with her even while feeding the baby. This kept her entertained and she liked being with her mommy. So I would suggest having books, music box, building kits etc handy around the house to entertain when required.
5. Involve toddler in all baby related chores
While I always need to keep an eye on my toddler when she's around the baby, I explain when the baby is feeling gassy, needs a diaper change or a bath, feeding time. This way she too feels like she is helping mama take care of the baby by bringing a rattle or a pacifier. Even though toddlers are quite small, they do understand everything that happens around them and really looove helping out.
6. Dedicate some 1:1 time with toddler
With the baby, a lot of my time was with the baby either feeding, changing or just holding. So I dedicated some time with my toddler exclusively where I make her sit on my lap and read books, take her out to nearby zoo/parks, paint with her, gardening etc. Dads usually get more time but if not I would suggest dedicating some time just with the toddler as well. My husband gives his 1:1 with drawing, gardening, swimming etc.
7. Get moving soon
I would suggest to invest in a good baby carrier as with a toddler at home, you cannot afford to be sitting around for too long. Boba wrap was my choice and it worked out great for us. I was practically walking my toddler to her school with baby in boba wrap from week 2.
Though these above things help most of the times, you may still have chaotic moments with a baby crying and a toddler throwing tantrums at the same time! We have had moments when my toddler wanted to be burped just like the baby and so we just do it when we can. Other times, a tight loving hug and kiss calms her down. Remember toddlers are always watching and learning from you. But you will still need always be around when they are with baby as they can get very excited and try to lift or move the baby.
There will be many precious moments too with both your children. My daughter loves being around baby and likes kissing him. In the end, you have a beautiful family with two precious little darlings.
1. Prepare the toddler mentally while you are still pregnant
Throughout my pregnancy, I spoke about the baby to my toddler. This got her very excited and she started speaking about the baby to all her friends and teachers at her school as well. As we got close to due date, I explained how the baby will still be very little and will take a while before she can play with him.
2. Shower toddler with loads of hugs and kisses
Most toddlers need a lot of attention and love to keep them away from tantrums. Any lack of attention generally leads to a tantrum in seconds. While it can be quite choatic with a baby around, make sure you can manage a quick hug and kiss whenever you see the toddler wanting extra attention.
3. Ensure one parent is always dedicated to the toddler
As we have two kids right now, this is something that worked for us. While mommy needs to be busy with baby most of the times due to feeding needs, daddy can spend a lot of extra time with the toddler giving his complete attention.
4. Make a toddler play kit
My toddler loves reading books and so I always had a few books next to my feeding place so I can interact with her even while feeding the baby. This kept her entertained and she liked being with her mommy. So I would suggest having books, music box, building kits etc handy around the house to entertain when required.
5. Involve toddler in all baby related chores
While I always need to keep an eye on my toddler when she's around the baby, I explain when the baby is feeling gassy, needs a diaper change or a bath, feeding time. This way she too feels like she is helping mama take care of the baby by bringing a rattle or a pacifier. Even though toddlers are quite small, they do understand everything that happens around them and really looove helping out.
6. Dedicate some 1:1 time with toddler
With the baby, a lot of my time was with the baby either feeding, changing or just holding. So I dedicated some time with my toddler exclusively where I make her sit on my lap and read books, take her out to nearby zoo/parks, paint with her, gardening etc. Dads usually get more time but if not I would suggest dedicating some time just with the toddler as well. My husband gives his 1:1 with drawing, gardening, swimming etc.
7. Get moving soon
I would suggest to invest in a good baby carrier as with a toddler at home, you cannot afford to be sitting around for too long. Boba wrap was my choice and it worked out great for us. I was practically walking my toddler to her school with baby in boba wrap from week 2.
Though these above things help most of the times, you may still have chaotic moments with a baby crying and a toddler throwing tantrums at the same time! We have had moments when my toddler wanted to be burped just like the baby and so we just do it when we can. Other times, a tight loving hug and kiss calms her down. Remember toddlers are always watching and learning from you. But you will still need always be around when they are with baby as they can get very excited and try to lift or move the baby.
There will be many precious moments too with both your children. My daughter loves being around baby and likes kissing him. In the end, you have a beautiful family with two precious little darlings.
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