Can we talk baby logistics?

CandKmomma

1.  What do you do with the baby when you are putting your toddler down for a nap?

2.  How do you keep your toddler busy while feeding, changing, or putting the baby down for a nap?

I just can't see how this is going to work.....I'm freaked out.  

 

LTGirl

I haven't been at this very long yet, but here's how I do it. Baby is safely stashed in the PNP or the bouncy seat while I am feeding, changing, or putting #1 down for a nap. I pretty much let #1 play with his toys, read books, or watch tv (or a combination thereof) around my feet while I am doing stuff for baby. I have changing stuff in the playroom, so I don't have to go upstairs for that, and I do most of my daytime feeding in the rocker in the playroom too.

kimthgrt

Im still a newb at this too, but I will make sure #2 is fed and content, and put her in the swing or bouncy seat, then take #1 to her crib and rock her, do typical nap time stuff. At this point #2 realizes Im gone and starts fussing...So I take turns tending crying children, lol. #2 is getting better at ptting herself to sleep though. My biggest problem is them waking each other up with the volume of their crying.

laura1

1.  What do you do with the baby when you are putting your toddler down for a nap?  DD goes in her bouncy seat when DS is going down for his nap.  She sometimes falls asleep in there when I am gone.

2.  How do you keep your toddler busy while feeding, changing, or putting the baby down for a nap?  I let DS play with his toys in the playroom, living room, or his room while I am feeding and changing the baby in that same location, so I can watch him at the same time.  Sometimes it works out that they both eat at the same time, and that is quite convenient.  As for putting the baby down for her nap, I am still working on this one.  DD was fabulous at napping on the go up until now.  Lately, she has been having a much harder time with that.  I am trying to get her on more of a schedule, and the newest plan I have come up with is to put DS in the pack and play downstairs while I am trying to get DD to nap upstairs.  He is so loud that he distracts her and wakes her up when he is anywhere near her!  

Good luck - and don't worry, you will figure out what works for you.  I remember before DD was born, having a panic attack trying to figure out how I would get them both into their music class, since DS didn't walk yet.  Once it came time to do it, I just did it - carried them both inside, one in each arm, totally forgetting it was something I had worried about!  

mlf625

You'll work it out.  I didn't ever have a set "thing" I did with either child, because they changed so fast and what worked one day failed the next.  Most often, #2 would be in her swing or bouncy while I put #1 down.  If she was fussy, I'd sometimes have to wear her while putting #1 down.  Not easy, but it worked.

As far as keeping #1 busy/contained, that was probably my least favorite part in the early days of 2u2.  I tried everything and the only thing I ended up having luck with was keeping a baby gate across #1's door.  While I put DD down, DS was in his room, often screaming because he wanted out.    It was tough, but DD needed quiet time to take her bottle and go to sleep, so we did what we had to do.  DS is no worse for the wear and now plays nicely in his room on the rare occasion I have to put him in there to tend to DD. 

Don't be freaked.  It all works out and you just need to remember a little crying isn't going to kill anyone.  DD is a much more patient and easygoing baby than DS was, and I think it's because she sometimes had to wait a few minutes for me to get to her.  It was awful in the moment, but looking back, I wish I hadn't stressed so much.  As long  as you're doing the best you can, everyone will be FINE! 

Temp159135562506975

you do whatever works

i had TWO babies + toddler to deal with.  Remember- babies are like luggage in those early months - and can be put down a lot.... so you'll want to do that often so you can play with #1... get stuff done, etc.  You are lucky and can baby wear since it's just one- and do all those things, too.

As for putting DS1 down for nap - i usually put the babies down first.. .if they weren't napping at that time for some reason - then i'd just put them down and if they cried for that 5 minutes- they cried - there is only so much one human can do.

DS1 learned to play on his own better after the twins were born - and i'd also ask him to help me - bring me a diaper, pat baby's back to burp, etc.