Juggling pregnancy with a toddler can be a difficult task, especially in the first trimester of pregnancy. Your body is working really hard to create a new human being. Plus, you’re probably experiencing some morning sickness or even all day nausea.
I remember being tired during my first pregnancy. I struggled to stay awake at my corporate job but would rest as much as possible on the weekend.
Fast forward to my second pregnancy and I had a two year old toddler running around. I was still tired working my 8-5 job but now I couldn’t just kick my feet up and relax on the weekends.
It was such a blessing to have an energetic little boy wanting to play all day but it definitely made my second pregnancy much more difficult initially. It wasn’t until I started making some practical shifts and changes to our routine that I started to experience some relief.
This post breaks down my tried and true tips to help you balance pregnancy with a toddler. These tips can be incorporated into your day, just like I did, to help give you the rest that your body is needing and craving.
My hope is that by the end of this post, you will feel more ready to take on your 2nd pregnancy and confident in preparing for baby #2!
This post is all about surviving pregnancy with a toddler.
How To Survive Pregnancy With A Toddler
Be Patient With Yourself
No matter what stage of motherhood you are currently in, being patient with yourself and giving yourself grace is so important.
As moms, it’s easy to get wrapped up in the running to do list in our heads and easily overwhelmed juggling all the doctors appointments and nap schedules.
My recommendation during your second pregnancy is to slow down as much as possible and give yourself endless grace.
Who cares if the dishes get done later today or you let your toddler get some extra screen time instead of going outside so you can relax for thirty minutes.
Growing a baby is hard work and it’s more than ok to slow down during this time and let some of your normal tasks slide a little.
Soak In The Time With Your Toddler
This is the time to really enjoy the last few months of your toddler being an only child. As a mom of two, I think a sibling is the best gift you can give your children, but it still changes the family dynamic.
Some days will definitely be harder than others during your 2nd pregnancy, but soak up the 1:1 time you have with your toddler as much as possible.
Once you have baby #2, your older child will instantly look months older (it’s really wild) and your time will be much more divided initially.
So read the extra books at bedtime, enjoy outdoor adventures just the two of you, snuggle whenever possible and soak up all the family time.
Keep Your Toddler Entertained
Keeping your toddler entertained is sometimes easier said than done some days, but keeping them busy helps the day fly by. Plus physical activities can help keep your active toddler out of trouble and tire them out before bed.
Here are some of my favorite activities to do with my three year old:
- Get outside!!!
- Go for a walk
- Go on a nature hunt and collect acorns, leaves and sticks
- Chalk – hopscotch is really fun too!
- Play in a sandbox
- Go to the playground
- Blow bubbles
- Color
- Paint
- Dot markers
- Play with trains
- Sing songs and dance
- Swimming during the summer
- Midday bubble baths
- Pretend play
- Sensory bins – rice, pasta, sand, water beads, etc
- Cook or bake together
- Everyday tasks like laundry, dishes and grocery shopping
Ask For Help
I think most moms are guilty of trying to do it all… myself included.
But during pregnancy with a toddler when you’re already feeling extra tired, it’s really important to ask for help whenever possible.
Asking for help can look like a lot of different things to different people:
- Asking your partner to get up with your toddler overnight.
- Having someone watch your child for a few hours on a weekend day so you can nap.
- Getting takeout a night or two during the week to cut back on cooking.
- Hire a mommy’s helper to assist with simple household chores.
- Taking a PTO day but still sending your toddler to daycare.
That isn’t an exhaustive list but now is the time to get creative! Most of your friends and family will want to help you during your pregnancy so communicating your needs to them can be very helpful!
Make Time For Self Care
Self care is so important when preparing for baby #2 and looks different to everyone.
For some moms, working out is a great release while others enjoy getting a manicure or massage. Some enjoy reading a book or watching an hour of a tv show in bed.
The most important thing is that you figure out what your self care will look like on a weekly basis and ask for help to make it happen.
It will probably require your partner to step up and help with your toddler or your parents to watch him or her for a few hours but scheduling it into your week ensures that it actually happens.
Taking time for self care is not only enjoyable but it’s also necessary. Pregnancy with a toddler can be tough at times and your life will only be getting busier once the baby is born.
Nap When Your Toddler Naps
This is way easier said than done but if your toddler is still napping then I highly recommend you put your to do list aside and relax or nap at the same time your child does.
The little recharge will feel especially good as your body works on growing your little baby and will give you the extra push to make it through until bedtime.
Plus, it’s fun to include your toddler in everyday household chores like dishes, laundry and cooking too.
Some of the greatest advice I ever received was to only do chores while my kids are awake. Not only will they want to help but everything, including grocery shopping, is an adventure for them. And you deserve to rest when they rest too!
Encourage Independent Play
Independent play is EVERYTHING.
It’s not something that your child will magically learn to do overnight but encouraging him or her to play independently during your 2nd pregnancy will greatly benefit you when you have a newborn in the house.
I recommend starting slowly with a few minutes of quiet play here and there. You can also slowly step away from playing with your child when they seem content on their own and watch from the sidelines.
And if they are happily playing, resist the urge to ask them questions or engage them in a conversation. This will break their playtime flow and it will be difficult to get them back in an independent play groove.
Maintain a Proper Diet
Maintaining a proper diet, including staying hydrated, will greatly benefit you during pregnancy.
Once you get through morning sickness during the first trimester, it’s important to focus on eating nutrient dense foods the majority of the time. Incorporating fruits and vegetables along with protein and carbs will help you get the nutrients your growing body needs.
I had my fair share of pregnancy cravings when I was pregnant, but eating well balanced meals will not only help you feel more energized but it will also help you maintain healthy weight gain throughout your pregnancy too.
It’s also important to stay hydrated during pregnancy. Your body needs more water than the everyday person so you can form amniotic fluid, produce extra blood, carry nutrients, support digestion and flush out any waste and toxins.
There are also foods you should avoid during pregnancy. You can read about them here.
And as always, please talk to your doctor if you have questions or concerns about the food you are eating.
Go To Bed Earlier
I can’t stress this enough. Getting more sleep at night can make such a huge difference for anyone, but especially for pregnant women.
Your body requires rest to continue growing a little human and also taking care of another child.
I recommend aiming for seven to nine hours of sleep, but recognize that you will probably be up a few times to use the bathroom (one of the annoying pregnancy symptoms).
Getting enough sleep will give you more energy, make you a happier person overall, increase your patience and decrease anxiety. It can also lead to better eating and less weight gain during pregnancy too.
In addition to going to bed earlier, it can be helpful to wind down at night without screens. Naps during the day are also great if you’re able to.
If you’re having trouble falling asleep or staying asleep at night, I recommend talking to your doctor.
This post was all about surviving pregnancy with a toddler.