Okay this is carrying on from a similar thread in pregnancy. How do/did you handle the juggling of an older child when the second (or third...) baby came along? A couple of tips to start the ball rolling:
* Blow balloons for the older child to play with, they can entertain a 1-2yo for ages!
* Have a few toys available only for when you are breastfeeding. Hannah at 19mos was just starting to get into shapo sorting games and was happy to do those on the coffee table by me while I fed Briona.
* Fingernail painting. Paint the child's fingernails, then yours. While you're painting your own, hers will dry
Then when yours are painted she's "free" to go - well she will probably hang around with curiosity until then anyway (that's my experience). In the meantime, you've just had 10 minutes of sitting down and relaxing
* Take a break. If you need time out, it won't hurt the kids to put them in their rooms for a bit: a baby can go to sleep or just in her bed if she won't settle; a toddler or preschooler can have quiet time in her room with a pile of books etc. I used to put Briona down crying (she was a silent reflux/colicy babe) while I drank a cuppa. It only takes 10 minutes if it's hot but just gives a bit of settling time for mum
Shower times are a similar thing for me, it's my "space". When the baby is sleeping, busy the toddler with books or sleep and take off for 15 minutes.
* Going for a walk. I have a double stroller which has been a life-saver! Sometimes when things got really tough I'd pack the kids in and walk around the block. It helps settle most babies too which is great. (Briona used to settle/sleep in the stroller only to start crying again as soon as we got home!
)
Okay I better leave room for your comments lol!
When baby #2 comes along...
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(02/01/06)
RachandJack wrote: