11 Practical Tips To Help You Thrive With A Toddler And Newborn

Everything you need to know to survive the first few weeks with a toddler and newborn.

If you are an expecting mom or recently gave birth to baby #2, this post is for you.

Having a newborn and a toddler can be overwhelming at times. It is a lot to juggle two kids! You are constantly thinking about nap schedules, newborn feeding schedule, keeping your toddler entertained, bonding with your baby, and everything in between.

In this post, we will talk about the very best tips so you can thrive during the first few weeks with your toddler and newborn. 

1. Give Yourself Grace
2. Ask For Help
3. Use Screen Time To Your Advantage
4. Baby Wearing Is A Game Changer
5. Get Out Of The House
6. Naps On The Go
7. Involve Your Toddler
8. Maintain Loose Routine For Toddler – It is no secret that toddlers thrive on routine.
9. Pack Diaper Bag Ahead Of Time
10. Always Build In Extra Time
11. Self Care

How To Survive The First Few Weeks With A Newborn And Toddler?

1. Give Yourself Grace

There is no denying that becoming a mom to a toddler and newborn is a lot at first. And as a mom of two kids myself, I can honestly say some days are downright crazy trying to make sure everyone is fed and happy.

But the biggest parenting tip I can give you is to give yourself lots and lots of grace. 

I can guarantee that every day with a baby and toddler will not be “perfect”. You might not get out of your pajamas. Your house might be a mess. Your sink may have dirty dishes in it. 

But at the end of the day, it is important to not beat yourself up over the little things. Instead, you can focus your attention and energy on spending quality time with your kids. And taking care of yourself during your initial postpartum recovery!

Your mental health will thank you.

Your toddler and newborn will thank you. 

2. Ask For Help

One of the hardest things I have had to do as a mom is learn how to ask for help. But it really takes a village to raise our children.

Asking for help does not make you any less of a mother or person. Instead it helps make you stronger in my opinion. 

You will burn out very quickly if you try to do everything and be everything for everyone all of the time. 

You can ask for help with things like the dishes, laundry, watching your toddler and newborn while you shower, etc. 

I guarantee your friends and family are more than willing to help you with whatever you need during the initial days and weeks after having your second baby. They might just not know what you need help with.

So do not be shy. Ask and accept help when it is available and your postpartum recovery will become easier and easier.

3. Use Screen Time To Your Advantage

People seem to have very strong opinions about screen time. Whether you love it or hate it, it can be used to your advantage when you have two kids.

During the first few weeks with a second baby, it can feel challenging to keep your toddler happy and entertained while also tend to your baby’s every need. 

In my experience as a mom of two, I highly recommend using screen time during the times when you need to feed your baby and your spouse is not home, when you are laying your baby down for a nap, when you need to cook dinner or when you just need a few minutes to recenter yourself. 

And in those early newborn days, you might have the tv on for your toddler a lot more than usual – and that’s ok!

I fully believe that the first few weeks with a toddler and newborn are total survival mode so you do what you have to do to get through them. Once you get into more of a routine and groove you can cut back on the screen time if needed.

4. Baby Wearing

Baby wearing is a total game changer with a newborn baby!

It can be intimidating to first time moms but once you get the hang of it frees up your hands and babies love it! Plus there are so many options out there to choose from. 

Some women prefer a stretchy wrap or ring sling for their newborn babies but there are plenty of more structured carriers that accommodate newborn babies too.

Baby carriers make going to places like the playground and grocery with your toddler and newborn much more easy and doable.

5. Get Out Of The House

No matter how nervous you are about juggling two kids, toddler meltdowns or your baby crying while you are out in public, I really encourage you to push past the fear and get out of the house. 

The days can feel extra long when you are stuck inside all day. Getting out of the house is like a reset for everyone too – and actually helps kids sleep better too!

Plus, I can almost guarantee that no one will care if your baby is crying in the grocery store. In fact, people will probably offer to help you.

Some ideas for things to do include:

• Go for a walk
• Run an errand like grocery shopping or pick up
• Playground to let out toddler energy
• Zoo or aquarium
• Visit friends or family
• Get ice cream with your toddler
• Scavenger hunt in your yard

You do not need to do anything complicated or be out all day. Just getting out of the house for 30 minutes can be enough.

6. Naps On The Go

Learning to be ok with naps on the go will change your life.

Once you have two kids, it becomes nearly impossible to make sure both kids have a perfect nap schedule. And if you did, you would never leave your house.

The easiest thing I can recommend is working around your toddler’s nap schedule (if he or she is still taking one). 

Your newborn will most likely fall asleep wherever and whenever. So try not to stress about the baby’s naps and instead pack the bottles and focus on doing one thing out of the house each day with your baby and toddler. 

You can bring a portable sound machine too to help minimize any noise when the baby is napping.

7. Involve Your Toddler

Involving your toddler with your newborn baby will help with your toddler’s transition to a big brother or sister but also give you some help too!

Some tasks that your toddler can help with include:

• Shaking up the bottle
• Getting you a diaper or wipe
• Throwing away a diaper
• Giving the baby a toy
• Help you sing to the baby
• Pick out books for you to read together

8. Maintain Loose Routine For Toddler

It is no secret that toddlers thrive on routine. Although a new baby will certainly be a big adjustment for them, keeping a semi consistent routine for your toddler will go a long way.

This could be continuing to go to school while you are on maternity leave, a consistent bedtime routine or following a similar schedule during the day at home. 

Of course a second baby will keep your hands full, but it is possible to maintain some part of your toddler’s routine even if that means you have to ask for some help.

As a mom of two kids, I speak from experience that keeping my son on a routine helped minimize tantrums in the first few months after my second baby was born.

9. Pack The Diaper Bag Ahead Of Time

You probably want to crawl onto the couch after your toddler and newborn go to bed. But taking a few minutes to pack your diaper bag for the next day will help you get out of the house much quicker and easier!

Things you can do include 

• Restocking diapers
• Making sure there is a clean change of clothes
• Putting in bottles if you are bottle feeding

10. Always Build In Extra Time

It is always a good idea for moms with kids to build in extra time because inevitably it will take you twice as long to get anything done. 

If you have a doctor’s appointment to get to or you want to be somewhere by a specific time, it never hurts to plan to leave earlier than you need to. 

That way when your newborn needs a last minute diaper change or your toddler is having a tantrum, you already have extra time.

11. Self Care

This is so incredibly important as a mom of a toddler and newborn, or just a mom in general. 

New moms are subject to so many crazy postpartum hormones, emotions and a roller coaster of feelings. These things can lead to conditions like postpartum anxiety and postpartum depression. 

Self care will not magically cure postpartum anxiety but it can sometimes give you just enough relief from the day to day craziness. 

It looks different for everyone and can be hard to come by during the first few weeks postpartum, but it is so important.