Sanity with a 2 year old and infant

If you have two little ones how do you keep your sanity? My Toddler son is crazy and getting worse with the baby. He also is going to start seeing an EI for speech b/c he needs to learn to communicate better. It's tough b/c he whines and needs to learn to tell me what he wants. Plus, I have a two week old DS as well. He's been great so far. Sleeping at night between feedings and lays well on his own, but I feel bad I can't spend so much time with him b/c my toddler is running around. I do put him in daycare a few days a week part-time which helps A LOT!
I haven't been out in over 2 weeks b/c I was at the hospital for a few days b/c of the c-section and then when we got home the heat has been awful!

DH is great and helpful, but I just need to vent. Thanks!

Re: Sanity with a 2 year old and infant

this scares me
BUT I'm guessing the answer will be
It does get better!!!!!

Re: Sanity with a 2 year old and infant

Im having a similar issue in my home except I have a 20 month old and I'm breast Feeding. A few people suggested using a moby wrap. My dad watches DS1 1 day a week but he's going away for 3 weeks and leaves tomorrow. I will be with my boys alone and I'm freaking out. When the weather cooperates I do plan on taking walks with both of them. If this heat wave goes away!! I will also have them outside for a bit.

I'm going to look into doing crafts at home with my toddler. He loves doing this stuff so.that will entertain him while I'm Bf.

Re: Sanity with a 2 year old and infant

DD#2 was born in March. After I got the ok to drive after my c-section we were literally out every single day. I took her to a different park every morning (usually around 10:30/11ish). We would spend an hour or 2 there and then go home and most times she would then take a nap. Once she woke up we would usually go in our backyard or I would put a movie on for her. DD#1 is so active that if I didn't do this we all would have gone out of our minds. She needed to get out and get her energy out. She wasn't the type to sit inside and do arts and crafts or play games...she was always on the go.

Re: Sanity with a 2 year old and infant

Jack was 27 months when Tyler was born. The beginning is very hard. The good news is that the baby just needs to sleep now so you can spend most of your time with your older son.

Once you get into a routine you'll figure it out!

Re: Sanity with a 2 year old and infant

To stay sane:
a) get yourself a good & long shower daily
b) tell yourself each day will be closer to getting into that "groove"

For your older children, do a lot of humoring to make him feel important.
If the baby cries while you're helping Mason, say to the baby "I'll be with you in one minute, I'm helping your big brother right now" - just so Mason knows he is a priority too.

And I wouldn't be opposed to getting the baby covered up in the stroller and taking a walk in an air-conditioned mall or some place convenient and easy just to get out.

ETS: Don't feel guilty about lack of attention for your NB. He needs sleep, food and love but not tons of one on one time - and he will never know the difference so don't stress over not having the time to give him that you gave DS1 at that age - it's just not possible!

Message edited 7/25/2011 1:24:43 PM.

Re: Sanity with a 2 year old and infant

thanks all! Your advise helps and makes sense. Plus it's harder today b/c I've had them by myself a lot.

Re: Sanity with a 2 year old and infant

Posted by Diana1215

Jack was 27 months when Tyler was born. The beginning is very hard. The good news is that the baby just needs to sleep now so you can spend most of your time with your older son.

Once you get into a routine you'll figure it out!