How do you guys juggle a toddler and an infant?

Question

I have a 2 1/2 year old daughter and just had my second daughter 5 weeks ago. My baby doesn’t like to be set down for long so I’m holding her a lot throughout the day. I’m a sahm btw. So we’re inside a lot and don’t leave much. I’m not too confident in leaving the house by myself with two kids yet. 
I’m finding it hard to play with my older daughter throughout the day, which I’ve always had a hard time with that. We don’t do much. There’s a lot of screen time, and sitting around. I’m worried that my daughter is feeling neglected, and not getting attention like she use too. I’m sure that’s normal but I don’t know how to juggle them both and make sure my older daughter feels seen. Please help. Because I’m feeling like an awful mother at the moment.

Answer

I would have her help you bath the baby and have one on one time while the little one is asleep and make a point as it’s your special time with her, do an activity like finger painting, drawing, play doh etc

Answer

Same! I'm not a SAHM & will be returning to work.
I do have my mom but we plan to have my son at gymnastics, playground, & library reading hour throughout the week. We've been putting the baby in a chest carrier rather than stroller so we can Chase my son better.
For me the playground is very manageable alone. Two of our local ones are fenced in & the other is in a huge field. When he ran off we just followed him with the stroller or carried him back when he got tired. My son is a runner if you couldn't tell and really needs to be physical.
Going to stores without him in a seat or stroller is a nightmare. That just isn't possible even with 2 people.

Answer

It will SUCK until pre-k:) I’m sorry! Sleep training ASAP!

Answer

When mine were 2&1/2 and newborn I used to have relatives pick up my toddler for one on one time, that was the most helpful thing for me. If you have people don’t be afraid to ask! Even a short outing/visit with someone one on one can help them get the attention they need when you don’t have the energy to give it. I know not everyone has a good support system but IF you have people nearby definitely ask

Answer

My toddler is pretty good at independent play so if I'm stuck having to hold baby, which is often because he is needy, then I will watch her and offer feedback on what she does. If she brings a book over I will try to read the book to both of them. I get stuff done either while holding the baby and having my toddler follow me or I put baby down for a couple minutes and he either plays or screams until i come back to him. I have found a nice hack to get him to enjoy being in his play gym by himself for a bit longer while I throw in a load of laundry or unload the dishwasher. I have his linkamals set up around him. I take one and carry it with me, pressing the button every once in awhile to get all of them to activate and keep baby occupied while i continue working. My husband also works third shift. So when he wakes up from sleeping, he will be hands on with the children as well. When he is off we both handle taking care of them. He will take one for diaper changes, while I do the other. Same with putting them down for bed. We will switch off because the toddler is a lot easier to put down than the baby. It is a lot everyday though. And finding time to rest usually doesn't come until they are both down for the night, but we make it work.

Answer

I wore the baby often, did puzzles and quiet activities and playing while holding the baby, made sure to put the baby down to tend to my daughters needs and say things like, hold on baby I need to get sister her lunch right now! I tried to put the baby away in the room at least once a day and spend one on one time with my daughter. Baking, playing in the backyard, crafts, playdough, puzzles, board games, reading, music and dancing, making up exercise games or just getting down and playing with toys with her. If she was playing contently by herself I’d just make sure to talk to her here and there so she would know I see her. Talking to her while caring for the baby. Lots of praise for all the good moments she has. And for getting out of the house you just have to do it and learn as you go. I always used stroller or wore the baby and I learned something about making things go smoother each time I went out with them for the first few times. Try short outings at first. The first few months are tough!

Answer

I'm the same. Lots of inside activities such as painting AND I take her to playgroups, playgrounds,  daycares etc so she gets out and about.

Answer

I'll be in this position in November and I'm worried about this too. Have you thought about wearing the baby in a carrier or a wrap? That way you have free hands to do things with your toddler while simultaneously holding baby? That's going to be my plan. So hopefully it works

How do you guys juggle a toddler and an infant?

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