October 1, 2012

From the Other Side: Balancing a Newborn & a Toddler.

Someone recently asked me if I could share any tips that I may have gleaned from that season of life not long ago when I had a newborn and a toddler living under the same roof.  How did I manage?  How did I survive?  How did I keep my toddler from trying to roll the baby under the chairs or stuff his little mouth full of goldfish crackers?

I don't know how well I can answer that last two part question because.... well, those things actually happened, so you may want to ask someone else how to prevent such things.  hahaha.

There were a few key things that contributed to my survival during those first months with a newborn and an almost two-year-old in my care, however.  The first thing that I must mention is the Fisher-Price Rock n' Play Sleeper.


It seems so simple, but this thing really saved me- simply because it kept Myer from being able to get too friendly with (read: SIT ON TOP OF) baby Truman.  It kept Truman off of the floor, and I could plop that thing down in any room I wanted to be in, and even bring it outside!  It kept Truman propped up, which he loved, so he didn't fuss as he would have if I had just laid him flat in a pack n' play or a moses basket.  I loved this thing so much because Truman would also sleep really well in that upright position, so he slept in it next to my bed for the first two or three months as well.  LIFESAVER.

The next thing that really helped me was my ring sling. If Truman didn't want to be in his rock n' play sleeper, he was in the sling.  He loved being cozy in there and it kept my hands free to do whatever I needed to do around the house.  It also kept him out of the hands of mischievous Mr. Myer.


When I wanted Truman to have some tummy time, I waited until Myer was napping or I let him do tummy time on his mattress in his crib while Myer and I hung out and played on the floor nearby. 

Another helpful routine I found was letting Myer watch a movie or a show while I was making dinner.  I could put Truman's rock n' play sleeper in the kitchen while I cooked if he wasn't napping in his crib and cook while keeping my eye on the wee one.

The next tip I have for saving your sanity if you have a newbie and a toddler is to force yourself to get out of the house regularly.  Like, at least every other day.  Even if it's a walk around the block or a trip to a park or the bookstore or library, do it!  It WILL be awkward at first, learning how to manage the kids in a public setting, but keep at it!  (I wrote more about that transition here.) If you give up too quickly, your toddler won't have a chance to learn how to behave when you're out of the house and things will never have a chance to start getting easier.  You'll get better at feeding the baby while you're on the go and your toddler will benefit from the fresh air and exercise- and so will you!

For me, getting out meant: baby in the sling, with a diaper, wipes, keys, and credit cards in the little sling pocket. Myer would walk (if he could be easily managed wherever we were going), or be in the umbrella stroller (or grocery cart) if I needed him to be more contained.  These little outings did MUCH for all of our sanity, and kept us all in better spirits!

Lastly, I must mention how, in our household, maintaining our discipline routines with the older boys is what ultimately kept the clockwork running smoothly.  It is so easy to get lax with your older kids once a new baby comes along, but this is really a crucial season to stay on top of correcting your older children's behaviors so that peace and harmony can reign in your house.  Myer was testing alllllllll the buttons after I brought Truman home... trying to see what he could get away with... acting out and trying to get all my attention... but when he acted in a way he knew he shouldn't have, I made sure to put the baby down and discipline him in the exact same way I would have before the baby came home.  It took a lot of communication and explaining why we don't do certain things to babies, but with consistent loving discipline and communication, there was a lot more peace under our roof!

I hope these quick tips may prove helpful for some of you who are in the thick of that crazy season of life, or who may be approaching it in the near future! Please know you can always feel free to email me with any specific questions you have too - feel free to pick my brain!  (my email address is in the right hand column near the top of my blog page.) 

xoxoxoxo!

37 comments:

Lindsay said...

Loved this post! The Rock & Play was a lifesaver in our home, too!

Lindz said...

What a pro! These things are so helpful and you've done a great job.

W said...

What a timely post. I will have 'two under two' come April. I forgot all about the rock n play. I loved that thing with my daughter.

Anna said...

Man, that last piece of advice is no joke. I learned the hard way when i had my second baby. after about 4 weeks of hell I found some great resources online on how to lead my toddler through the transition and lovingly set boundaries and discipline her. Almost 4 months in now and life is much better!

Toddler Boy said...

INCREDIBLE THINKING!! you did really making sense. I'll do same after some days.

COLOC said...

This is very nice info for me.

And thanks for sharing me such a nice info.

COLOC said...

This is very nice info for me...thanks

Zen said...

This is very nice info for me...thanks

Waste Removal London said...

Are you living in London? Do you need waste removal team to clean your house and your office? Then junkonecall.co.uk is one of the leading waste removal companies working in London which is providing excellent services. Waste removal on timely basis is really very important because of healthy and hygienic life style.

Web Designing said...

Web design includes a number of knowledge as well as exercises from the manufacturing as well as maintenance connected with sites. The several areas of web design consist of internet artwork design and style; software design and style; authoring, which include standardised signal as well as exclusive software; end user expertise design and style; as well as search engine optimization. Often most people works throughout squads protecting different facets on the design and style method, however some manufacturers will handle all. The term web design is generally employed to summarize the structure method associated with the actual front-end (client side) design and style of a internet site which include producing draw upward, nevertheless this is a grey area while this can be likewise included in internet growth. Web-site designers need with an understanding simplicity if their own part requires creating draw upward after that they're also likely to be up to time frame together with internet supply tips.

Web Designing said...

Web design includes a number of knowledge as well as exercises from the manufacturing as well as maintenance connected with sites. The several areas of web design consist of internet artwork design and style; software design and style; authoring, which include standardised signal as well as exclusive software; end user expertise design and style; as well as search engine optimization. Often most people works throughout squads protecting different facets on the design and style method, however some manufacturers will handle all. The term web design is generally employed to summarize the structure method associated with the actual front-end (client side) design and style of a internet site which include producing draw upward, nevertheless this is a grey area while this can be likewise included in internet growth. Web-site designers need with an understanding simplicity if their own part requires creating draw upward after that they're also likely to be up to time frame together with internet supply tips.

Web Designing said...

Web design includes a number of knowledge as well as exercises from the manufacturing as well as maintenance connected with sites. The several areas of web design consist of internet artwork design and style; software design and style; authoring, which include standardised signal as well as exclusive software; end user expertise design and style; as well as search engine optimization. Often most people works throughout squads protecting different facets on the design and style method, however some manufacturers will handle all. The term web design is generally employed to summarize the structure method associated with the actual front-end (client side) design and style of a internet site which include producing draw upward, nevertheless this is a grey area while this can be likewise included in internet growth. Web-site designers need with an understanding simplicity if their own part requires creating draw upward after that they're also likely to be up to time frame together with internet supply tips.

Prize Bond said...

We provide all types of prize bond details, Rs. 100 prize bond list, Guess Papers and results, Rs.200 prize bond list, Guess Papers and results ,Rs.750 prize bond list, Guess Papers and results, Rs. 15000 prize bond list, Guess Papers and results, Rs.1500 prize bond list, Guess Papers and results, Rs.7500 prize bond list, Guess Papers and results, Rs.10,000 prize bond list, Guess Papers and results, Rs.25,000 prize bond list, Guess Papers and results , Rs.40,000 prize bond list, Guess Papers and results. Visit our web site for more details.

Prize Bond said...

We provide all types of prize bond details, Rs. 100 prize bond list, Guess Papers and results, Rs.200 prize bond list, Guess Papers and results ,Rs.750 prize bond list, Guess Papers and results, Rs. 15000 prize bond list, Guess Papers and results, Rs.1500 prize bond list, Guess Papers and results, Rs.7500 prize bond list, Guess Papers and results, Rs.10,000 prize bond list, Guess Papers and results, Rs.25,000 prize bond list, Guess Papers and results , Rs.40,000 prize bond list, Guess Papers and results. Visit our web site for more details.

Prize Bond said...

We provide all types of prize bond details, Rs. 100 prize bond list, Guess Papers and results, Rs.200 prize bond list, Guess Papers and results ,Rs.750 prize bond list, Guess Papers and results, Rs. 15000 prize bond list, Guess Papers and results, Rs.1500 prize bond list, Guess Papers and results, Rs.7500 prize bond list, Guess Papers and results, Rs.10,000 prize bond list, Guess Papers and results, Rs.25,000 prize bond list, Guess Papers and results , Rs.40,000 prize bond list, Guess Papers and results. Visit our web site for more details.

Set up company Singapore said...

Setting up a company is one of the most important part to start a business and especially in Singapore which is strategically located in the heart of Asia Pacific. Singapore is one of the best choice to start a new business in the excellent business location with social infrastructure, political stability and favorable economic ties with world economies. Singapore is one of the top and best place to start a company.

Set up company Singapore said...

Setting up a company is one of the most important part to start a business and especially in Singapore which is strategically located in the heart of Asia Pacific. Singapore is one of the best choice to start a new business in the excellent business location with social infrastructure, political stability and favorable economic ties with world economies. Singapore is one of the top and best place to start a company.

Set up company Singapore said...

Setting up a company is one of the most important part to start a business and especially in Singapore which is strategically located in the heart of Asia Pacific. Singapore is one of the best choice to start a new business in the excellent business location with social infrastructure, political stability and favorable economic ties with world economies. Singapore is one of the top and best place to start a company.

Heat Exchanger Gaskets said...

If you have a heat Exchanger then you will need to have heat exchanger gaskets, which are used in tube type heat exchangers widely. These gaskets came into various designs and shapes according to the requirement. Sondex-sea.com provides all types of heat exchangers gaskets in Indonesia, Singapore, Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia and in Philippians.

Heat Exchanger Gaskets said...

If you have a heat Exchanger then you will need to have heat exchanger gaskets, which are used in tube type heat exchangers widely. These gaskets came into various designs and shapes according to the requirement. Sondex-sea.com provides all types of heat exchangers gaskets in Indonesia, Singapore, Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia and in Philippians.

Heat Exchanger Gaskets said...

If you have a heat Exchanger then you will need to have heat exchanger gaskets, which are used in tube type heat exchangers widely. These gaskets came into various designs and shapes according to the requirement. Sondex-sea.com provides all types of heat exchangers gaskets in Indonesia, Singapore, Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia and in Philippians.

Love Calculator said...

If you like to determine the real love compatibility between you and your partner then MyLoveCal.com is one of the best sources to determine your real love compatibility easily by simply giving your name, date of birth and your partner name and date of birth. Love Calculator made it very easy for youngster to calculate their love online and get the detailed results according to their horoscopes and with complete guideline on how and what to do to make their partner happy and their life a success. MyLoveCal.com is based on real horoscope and on real hypothesis so we believe its one of the best calculator to calculate love easily online.

Love Calculator said...

If you like to determine the real love compatibility between you and your partner then MyLoveCal.com is one of the best sources to determine your real love compatibility easily by simply giving your name, date of birth and your partner name and date of birth. Love Calculator made it very easy for youngster to calculate their love online and get the detailed results according to their horoscopes and with complete guideline on how and what to do to make their partner happy and their life a success. MyLoveCal.com is based on real horoscope and on real hypothesis so we believe its one of the best calculator to calculate love easily online.

laura said...

Hey, I had seen your comment about scarfs on a couple of different blogs. I typically use a nursing cover, but would much rather a scarf. what size scarf did you find best for nursing?

BUSINESS LICENSE IN MALAYSIA said...

Thanks for sharing this post! actually there are many procedure to start business when you got your business idea. But first you need to set up a company in your specific country. To set up a business in a foreign country, you need to go through some procedure. The procedure includes company registration in Malaysia or any other country, trademark registration, WRT license , Income tax file registration, Environment license, Sign Board and Premises license, export and import license etc. If you face any difficulties starting business in foreign country, be sure to contact us.

izzi said...

Hello, this is a nicely explained article. Your piece was very informative. I had never heard the issue presented in that light. Thanks for your hard work.
web design kuala lumpur
graphic design service
coffee table book design malaysia
branding agency malaysia

izzi said...

That's interesting, you have done a great job. Thanks for sharing.
ndt inspection
ndt inspection selangor
aggregate testing malaysia

izzi said...

Nice post, keep it up.
Hope you are well in the current situation.
direct mercury analyzer
gold amalgamation
heavy metal analysis

izzi said...

Great post. Looking forward to reading more. Thanks for taking the time to write this.
disaster recovery services
managed cloud disaster recovery service malaysia
enterprise data recovery service

izzi said...

Hey, this is a great post, so clear and easy to understand. All your hard work is much appreciated.
fire extinguisher malaysia
hose reel system malaysia
fire hydrant system malaysia

izzi said...

Nice article and easy to understand. Keep it up.
social media management malaysia

izzi said...

Enjoyed reading the article above, the article is very interesting and informative. Thank you and good luck with the upcoming articles.
refinancing housing loan
akpk malaysia
CCRIS statement

izzi said...

Thanks for this post. I really enjoy your point of view on this topic. Hope you are doing well.
dermatology malaysia
pico laser malaysia
eczema treatment malaysia

Primus said...

That's interesting, you have done a great job. Thanks for sharing.
madrid protocol
technology transfer malaysia
industrial design malaysia

maxis wireless broadband said...

Nice article you shared. Thanks for sharing.
https://www.bluebricks.com.my/education-fund-malaysia/
education fund malaysia
https://www.bluebricks.com.my/personal-loan/
apply for a personal loan
https://www.bluebricks.com.my/ctos-score/
ctos

maxis wireless broadband said...

Nice article you shared. Thanks for sharing.
pallet flow system, racking systemand madrid protocol malaysia

maxis wireless broadband said...

Nice article you shared. Thanks for sharing.
facial treatment malaysia, skin booster injection malaysia, and acne treatment malaysia