How to .. a toddler and a newborn

[Anonymous]

Hi,

I have a toddler (2-years old) and a newborn and will be going back to work in a month or so. I also have a full-time nanny currently taking care primarily of the toddler and helping me with my newborn. My husband travels quite a lot and even when he is in town, he works very late. My question for all parents who have two kids – How do you feed, bathe and put a toddler to bed with a newborn in your arms. The baby is only two-months old and has nor schedule (yet).

Sharing your experience and thoughts is appreciated. Thanks much.

[Anonymous]

this stage is so hard! u have been there.
I tended to cart the baby around room to room with bjorn or bouncy or laying on her back on a blanket. You will have to put up with some crying sometimes if you have to put the baby down to tend to the bathing toddler, etc. Also, cut back on baths. Sounds gross but daily baths became a thing of the past during this stage. I did a lot of washcloth baths with toddler standing up on the bathmat!
It does get easier, esp when the baby starts getting a routine (5 months or so?) and you can do one kid at a time. Also, once baby can hold her head up then you can bathe them at the same time, with baby in one of those plastic seats that prop her up

[NannyM]

When you go back to work and your nanny is caring for both the toddler and newborn, she should start forming a basic routine... Expect this to change every so often as the babies needs will change as he gets older.

As a nanny, I have used the Bjorn but sometimes it can also get in the way . Try bath time with your toddler when the infant is sleeping, or maybe even incorporate it into your nannies duties. Not all nannies are comfortable with this, so maybe discuss it with her.

It's tough, but I promise it gets easier!

[Anonymous]

That is a HARD stage - mine are now 13 months and 2.75 and it does get easier. I used a bouncy seat for the baby while I gave the toddler a bath. Bedtime was the hardest part when I had to do it alone. My oldest would get really upset if the baby started fussing and there isn't a good way to comfort both at the same time. All I can say is it does get easier, but this stage is really hard and it was very difficult for me to feel like I wasn't able to give my oldest the individual attention she was used to getting. Good luck!

[Anonymous]

I have an almost 3 year old and a nearly 4 mo. old. For quite a while now they bathe together...baby bathtub w/ net in the tub, and toddler on the other end of the tub. Take turns washing them each down, and they both love it. Dress baby on the bathroom floor, then put in crib for a few min. while attending to toddler. Sit on couch reading stories while nursing post-bath and occasionally very creatively "cuddling" both of them at the same time before putting them both to bed. Sometimes let toddler watch a 25 min. cartoon after bath when more attention for baby is needed, depending on time and each kids' needs.

just my story. Good luck to you! "This too shall pass" for both of us!

[Anonymous]

I have a 19 month old and 4 month old. I take the baby up to the bathroom in the bouncy seat (or sometimes just lay baby on a towel on the floor). Then I bathe the 19 month old and move baby in bouncy to toddlers bedroom. Get toddler ready for bed, book, hugs and lights out. Then I take the baby back to the bathroom and bathe her and then she has her last bottle of the day around 7:30 and to bed at 8:30 (I just sit on the couch for that hour feeding her and holding her up as she has reflux). ThenI move her to her bed and that's our night. If hubby is home he obviously helps with whole process. I'm usually by myself doing it a couple times a week.

[Anonymous]

I was just asking myself this question. Not having newborn yet but thinking about having or not another child. My DH travels overseas and I'm by myself for 2-3 weeks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Hi,

My question for all parents who have two kids – How do you feed, bathe and put a toddler to bed with a newborn in your arms. The baby is only two-months old and has nor schedule (yet).

Sharing your experience and thoughts is appreciated. Thanks much.

You can not always have the newborn in your arms. There will be many times that you might just have to let the newborn cry in a bouncy, in the bathroom w/ you, while you're bathing your toddler or putting his clothes on. I had multiple bouncy seats in different rooms of the house. I had the swing in the kitchen.

[Anonymous]

The nanny could have bathing the toddler be a daytime activity while the newborn sleeps.