[Happimumma24]

I'm just in to my third trimester, my Dd has just turned two. Any practical tips about things I can do now to help life run smoothly when the baby arrives. So far I plan to cook and freeze some meals and try to de clutter the house. Maybe even a huge grocery shop to stock up on staples. Any other ideas if things you found helpful? TIA 😄

[luke's mummu]

Buy thank you cards in advance. Ensure your address book is up-to- date. Pre-write an email for your partner to send announcing the baby's birth (leave space for the date weight etc).

[katiebear26]

only having one i'm not sure how well this would go, but i have heard that with kids around your DD's age getting them into a routine for what they do when you're feeding bub might help. i know someone who bought their DD a new doll with bottle so when mum was feeding bub, it was time for DD to feed the doll. not sure how well that would work but might help to contain DD while you are busy and need to focus on feeding.

i agree with buying staples, i wish i had done more of that before my DD. although a big woolies / coles online shop every few weeks works well too.

make sure your DD knows she will get some time with you every day (or whatever is manageable) so she doesn't get too jealous. call it a special name (e.g. mummy and (name) time) and make sure you set aside the time. and maybe involve her in gentle play with bub as soon as you can.

maybe ask people to not give presents for the baby but bring around a meal instead ;-)

good luck :-)

edited for clarity. baby brain is REAL, dammit...

This post has been edited by katiebear26: 30/12/2012, 08:15 PM

[Tiamo]

Do an online order through one of the large supermarkets. They are a pain to set up but much easier once you have done one already and sorted out sizing etc.

Set up some activities for your DD to play with while you feed your baby. E.g. colouring in, stickers, books, pur aside some toys that she tends to self entertain with. My DS who is nearly 2 loves his crane, magi-doodle, toy piano, duplo, blocks. I would put them away till the new baby arrives so they are fun and novel for her when you are busy.

Give your partner instructions on how you like people to visit. I personally loved visitors but didn't love them staying too long so DH was fab a saying. Isn't it time for you to have a nap or the like to move visitors who over stayed.

[Aimless]

Things I found helpful expecting my 2nd baby with ds1 at 20 months:
- discussing with dh who would be doing what around the house when the baby comes; agreeing that he would have to look after ds1 with his baths, bedtime, etc while I focused on ds2. - spending time with ds1 and getting him excited about his little brother coming along, telling him his baby brother has a present for him to say thank you for welcoming him into the family. - spending quality time with dh. - stocking up on essentials like toilet paper, etc. - ignoring the urge to clean up and just putting my feet up an resting.
Good luck, OP.

[bikingbubs]

get a box and put toys/books in it so you can quickly grab it when you sit down to feed. this was a great way of my DS in the early days while he got used to not having my full attention.
also try to spend one on one time with the older one too still (although its very hard at times!)

[Natttmumm]

Get a capsule so you can go out without waking bub, go out to the local parK where you can walk to baby can sleep and toddler can play, buy a few new small toys or DVDs for the toddler and bring one out at a time when the bub is unsettled.
I also found having less chaos in the house the best for the toddler but it depends on your child. I found less visitors until the baby was in a bit of a routine. My DD hated too many visitors.
Double pram so you can get out a bit.
I had the same age gap and I found it ok in the early days. I managed to cook etc each day while toddler helped me and the baby was alseep.

[Lokum]

Teach the toddler safe climbing in case you have a c/s. Mine can get onto his change table and down using a chair (with supervision) and in/out of his car seat and the car. He could also be trusted to sit at his little table for a whole meal time, so I didn't have to lift him in/out of the high chair during c/s recovery period.

Prepare the toddler for the reality of the baby - we had books with lots of pictures of the baby breastfeeding, Mummy bathing the baby, and still with Mum/Dad taking the toddler to the park/cuddling him.

Book up sisters, parents and anyone else to take the toddler for little breaks/outings/overnights. We did this for short periods in the first few weeks, and actually DS1 has become a BETTER sleeper and stopped coming to our bed. We were expecting jealousy, regression etc, but he's become a Big Boy! He is made much of when he goes out with the rellies, they do special things and give him treats, and I get to catch up on sleep when the baby sleeps. This has been more valuable to us than meals.

[Happimumma24]

Thanks for the tips everyone, i really appreciate it!!!

[Pup-pup]

The things already mentioned which I did when my DD2 was born.
- have activities that you only bring out at feed time. Stickers, magna doodle, iPhone etc.
- set up online shopping and even do a shop before baby arrives.
- have easy snack foods available for you & your toddler.
- have a swing or rocker for baby.