Toddler regression with new baby?

Question

So today specifically my toddler has been terrible and constantly crying, we’ve noticed every time the baby cries he cries. He’s also very clingy with me today constantly wanting to be in my lap or arms. Could he be regressing because of the baby? Has anyone gone through something similar and might be able to share what helped? My poor baby can’t sleep because my toddler won’t stop crying and screaming around her.

Answer

Just to encourage you, our baby is now 4 months old and big brother (2 year old) is doing SO MUCH BETTER now. It was rough for the first couple of months. We tried to keep things as similar as possible for him in terms of routines and activities. He still sometimes says, “Dada hold Gigi (baby) and Mama hold/play/come with me” when I’ve been with her too long. Sweet guy. Just try to make him feel special and have one on one time where you can. Let other people help him have special time too and not just everyone celebrating the baby. We talk about being a big brother helper (thanks Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood!) and what it means to be in a family. There were some dark days there early on (wink) but it’s getting better and better. Just this week (4 months later...) he’s started telling the baby to “watch me” and include her in family time. Before that, he kind of ignored her presence or whined because he wanted the attention. This is a rough patch, but it WILL get better. I kept telling myself these hard months are worth it for the years they can entertain and confide in each other.

Answer

No advice, but right there with you sister. We can do it!

Answer

I have no words of wisdom bc we tried so many things I’m not sure if any one thing actually helped. I started making more of an effort to spend “special mommy time” with my toddler and giving her more one on one. I feel like that helped the most. I also commiserated with her when the baby would cry, say something like, “oh man, not again! The baby is always crying!” and recruiting the toddler to help soothe and ask the baby what’s wrong. 
What your 2 yo is doing is completely normal attention seeking. He sees that the baby is getting all of this attention when crying so he’s imitating that behavior. My daughter started asking for bottles of milk bc she sees me feeding the newborn all the time. So for us, carving out “special” time for our toddler helped. And saying things like, I’m going to feed Remi, and then we can color. So she understands that she has a turn too and learns to share my time. 
I also played up the “big girl” role vs baby— crying is for babies... you’re not a baby... babies don’t have x (beloved toy) and if you cry like a baby, you can’t have x.
But really, more one on one with the toddler. He needs it more. A newborn is clueless. The toddler is going through a major transition, it’s emotionally and psychologically difficult for them. We have to remind ourselves that they are still babies too. My newborn is 8 weeks old and i feel like my toddler has turned a corner and is behaving much better & adjusting. It takes time & patience . Good luck!

This is my toddler after demanding to be let in the crib bc she’s a “baby too” 🙄🤷🏻‍♀️

Answer

Yes it could be that, or it could be the 2 year molars. They're awful, worse than the first molars.

Answer

Man, all of this! Definitely have 2 yo molars coming in (thank God they are the final teeth!!), new baby sister who is 3 weeks old, and started “school” for the first time 2 days a week for 3 hours. So many firsts and new things happening for my son. We are just trying to keep with our normal routine as much as possible. Everyone told us, as I’m sure you heard as well, the toddler will be the hardest thing, not the newborn. Holy cow, were they right! Hang in there!!

Toddler regression with new baby?

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