Does anyone have a newborn and a toddler?

Question

Any tips on how to balance the needs of both kids? I have a 2.5 year old and Im 9 months pregnant. Worried my toddler will feel left out.

Answer

I had a 1 year old (son) when I gave birth to my daughter. I was nervous about the same thing but what we did was just include him in everything we did with the baby. So every diaper change I would ask if he wanted to help...let him open the wipes etc. Every time I feed her, got her dressed, bathed her, etc my son was there. Though he obviously didn't help much but to him he was doing a lot. Now they are best friends. He will be 2 and she will be 1 next month.

Answer

Exactly what the other commentor said. Make them feel included, I have a 2.5 year old and a 6w old. Ask for their help, grab babies blanket, diaper, bring mommy something, anything to make them feel included.
I also have special books we read while I'm nursing, he just sits on the side I'm not nursing and turns the pages as I read.
Make sure you also set the baby down/have someone else hold the baby while you have one on one time every day with them so they still feel included and special.

Answer

I have 4 kids ages 7, 5, 3 and 1. The most important thing I've found is quality time vs quantity time. Yes you need to be attentive to your toddler as much as you can, but it really helps if you can take even just a few minutes per day to put everything away and just look at them in their face, snuggle, read a book etc with zero distractions. Even with 4 kids, I'll find little moments I can steal away with them and focus on just them,  it makes all the difference to balance the time I'm busy with the house or other kids.

Answer

My son will be 3 on Halloween and I have a 13 week baby.  Yes- my big guy gets less attention now- but there is no way to prevent that. I now have 2 kids to attend to and babies are a lot of work.  I also feel like he won't remember in the long run that he got significantly less attention for a few months. My husband is great and brings my big guy outside and does 1:1 time with him when he gets home from work.  
Be prepared for your toddler to not listen as well and throw more tantrums trying to get your attention.  That has been the hardest part.

Answer

I had my son and my second son turned 3 two days later. It’s hard but you have to make them feel included and when you are able to have someone take the new baby and spend one on one time with your toddler. It’s a big adjustment for them they’re going from having your undivided attention to now sharing you with this new little person so you may still experience a change in behavior and so forth. What I do is when baby naps we play together or we work on counting abc’s colors shapes and so forth and when my husband gets home he takes the baby and I will either take him outside in our yard or to the park for an hour and play with him. I even dedicate once or twice a week an evening walk just us.

Does anyone have a newborn and a toddler?

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