Home Parenting Advice 12 Daily Survival Tips for Managing a Baby & Toddler by Jamie Davis SmithJanuary 12, 2022 Search more like this baby carrierssleepbedtime routineboard gamediaper bagdollar storedouble strollerhow tolunch datemac and cheeseobstacle coursessleep habitssleepless nightstoddler friendly Advertisement Trending Now Celeb & Entertainment Melanie Lynskey Talks about Being Body-Shamed in Hollywood & ‘Starving Herself’ Viral & Trending Viral TikTok Explains Why You Don’t Owe Toxic Parents a Relationship with Your Kids Celeb & Entertainment ‘Bluey’ Season 3 is Coming to Disney+ This Week! Viral & Trending Dad Gets Shamed for Using a Leash with 5-Year-Old Quintuplets News Chrissy Teigen Announces She’s Pregnant Almost 2 Years after Losing Jack Advertisement Juggling a baby and toddler? No, not literally, although it sometimes feels that challenging. When child number two appears on the scene, you realize caring for a baby with a toddler along for the ride requires a new approach, creativity and some parent-tested tricks up your sleeve. Read on for our best tips on what to buy, how to organize your day and what to keep on time to help you not just survive but thrive with a baby and toddler. iStock 1. Find Activities Toddlers Can Do On Their OwnSometimes you’ll need your toddler to occupy themselves. Find something they love, such as giving your toddler a new matchbox car or small doll to keep them happy when they’re demanding your attention but you just don’t have it to give. For longer stretches, a climber from Coco Village keeps kids entertained without screens and should also tire them out.2. Find Places Designed for ToddlersMany public libraries have children’s rooms where toddlers can roam when you need to calm, feed or spend one-on-one time with your baby. Some shopping malls have free play areas for toddlers, and many towns have indoor play spaces designed for toddlers or with toddler-specific play hours. If your prefer being outdoors, find toddler-friendly playgrounds at local parks.3. Schedule One-On-One Time For Your ToddlerFinding even 15 minutes a day to focus on your toddler can go a long way toward preventing jealousy and meltdowns. Have your partner or a grandparent watch the baby so you can have a lunch date on the weekend with your toddler, or spend the first part of your baby’s nap focusing only on your toddler before you turn toward other chores. Set aside some time after your baby’s bedtime to spend with your toddler, even if that time is just focusing on your toddler’s bedtime routine. Matthew Henry via Burst 4. Look for At-Home AlternativesIf your toddler loves jumping around, set up an obstacle course in your home. If they’re more into crafts, hit the dollar store for googly eyes, pipe cleaners, stamps and stickers. Your toddler will probably have a lot more fun doing a toned-down activity with Mom at home then they will with a stressed-out Mom at a big event.5. Find Yourself!As stressful as it can be to manage a baby and toddler at the same time, finding ways to add something you enjoy into each day is important. Maybe it’s enjoying a pre-made Mocktail from Mocktail Club and dreaming about tropical beaches while your toddler eats mac and cheese. Maybe it’s making time to talk to your BFF. Consider a hobby you can do after the kids go to sleep, like crafting or knitting.6. Care for Yourself FirstMake sure you put your oxygen mask on first before helping others. Monitoring your own health and sleep habits help you take on the challenge of keeping two small humans happy and healthy. Wearing an Oura ring is a simple way to see how much you are sleeping, track your activity level and more. If you can, find some time to take “off” a few hours. Seeing a movie that isn’t rated G or grabbing dinner with friends can help you recharge to be your best for your kids. 7. The Right StrollerDouble strollers can be a lifesaver. Even if your toddler likes to walk, having a ride for them can make it a lot faster to get around with two small children. A stroller that has seats that adjust separately is a great option for kids of different ages. That way, the baby can recline to nap while the toddler sits up and has a snack. The Britax B-Lively Double Stroller is one affordable option that fits the bill. This stroller also has a car seat adapter so your infant can stay in their infant seat while your toddler enjoys all of the benefits of a full stroller. If your toddler isn’t up for sitting, choose a stroller, like the Mockingbird, that you can upgrade with a riding board. Whichever wheels you choose, bring along activities for your toddler to keep them occupied. iStock 8. Get OrganizedWhile out and about, a diaper bag with separate compartments and lots of pockets keeps your baby’s things separate from your toddler’s—and your own! The Petunia Pickle Bottom Boxy Backpack has distinct compartments, plenty of pockets and a removable pouch perfect for a parent’s essentials. Labeling everything is also a huge time-saver, so you always know what belongs to each child and, if items get left somewhere, you can get them returned. Mabel’s Labels offers pre-made packs for a variety of uses and adorable designs. Check out our top picks in diaper bags.9. Simplify Your RoutineSpeed up getting ready in the morning with the Revlon One Step Hair Dryer Brush that dries and styles at the same time. Or invest in a Thermomix all-in-one kitchen appliance that can cook entrées, sides and dessert simultaneously and offers 24 different functions. With two little ones at home, it may be time to ditch the gym membership and work out at home. One affordable space-saving option is YBell weights that function as dumbbells, medicine balls, kettlebells and more. Another is FitFighter. These steelhose weights take up almost no space at all and can be used for a variety of workouts. If it’s in the budget, hiring someone to help with cleaning or designating one or two nights a week for takeout adds back a few hours to your week. You can even simplify getting dressed: Kizik shoes are cute slip-on sneakers, meaning you can easily take them off and put them on while holding a baby or running out the door after a toddler. 10. The Perfect CarrierHaving an extra pair of hands would solve a lot of problems, and the next best thing is a baby carrier. There is no one perfect carrier so it’s important to find the best one for your needs. Although you may assume it makes the most sense to put a baby in a carrier, that’s not always the case! Sometimes toddlers want to be carried and that frees up your hands to push a baby in a stroller or feed the baby The Kelty Journey PerfectFit is great for parents who want to switch between carrying babies and toddlers in a carrier. Most carriers work for one age group or the other, but the Kelty PerfectFit can hold babies from 16 pounds through toddlers who weigh up to 40 pounds. Check out the latest in baby carriers & wraps. Fabian Centeno via Unsplash 11. Bring a FriendA friend or family member flying solo can help with the baby or your toddler when things get hectic. If that’s not feasible, a friend who has a child around the same age as your older child can make things more manageable. Your child will probably like having a buddy along for the trip and your friend probably won’t mind watching your toddler for a few minutes if you have to duck away to change a diaper or nurse your baby.12. Don’t Be Afraid to Say NoThere may be some activities you just can’t manage with a baby and a toddler. They may be too stressful or dangerous, like bringing two young kids around water. Or after a sleepless night with a baby, you might be too tired to play your toddler’s favorite game. It’s okay to suggest a board game instead of a game of tag. It’s okay to pull out a toy your toddler will be excited about when you need a break. Check out these 10 activities your baby and toddler can play without you while you just watch. —Jamie Davis Smithfeatured image: iStockRELATED STORIES:10 Playtime Activities for Babies & Older Siblings 16 Baby Games for Every Age from Newborn to Their First Birthday10 Quick, Easy Self-Care Tips for New Moms Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window)Click to share on Copy (Opens in new window) Search more like this baby carrierssleepbedtime routineboard gamediaper bagdollar storedouble strollerhow tolunch datemac and cheeseobstacle coursessleep habitssleepless nightstoddler friendly Welcome to our Tinybeans family! Be sure to check your email for new activities, recipes and parenting hacks – and to see if you’ve won! Do you have a dog or cat? Select YES below and click submit to start receiving FREE pet ideas and inspiration, news about new pet products, exclusive offers and limited-time promotions. Yes, I have a pet! Submit GET READY FOR SUMMER! Enter to Win a $250 Gift Card! Enter your email and zip code below for a chance to win a Mastercard Gift Card. We’ll pick one winner per month through August 31, 2022 – 5 lucky winners in all! email zip_code campaign_name Enter Now! I agree to the official rules and to receive email communications from Tinybeans. By providing my email address, I agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience possible. Accepting the use of cookies enables important site functionality including personalization and analytics. Accept Decline Create an account to save this content on Tinybeans Choose how you would like to sign up. Continue with Apple Continue with Facebook Continue with Google or Continue with Email By signing up, you agree to Tinybeans Terms of Service and acknowledge you have read and agreed to our Privacy Policy. Sign in to your Tinybeans account Don’t have any account? Create an account here. Forgot your password? Reset it here. Sign In or Continue with Apple Continue with Facebook Continue with Google Personalized recommendations Tinybeans uses personal information to share useful recommendations and ideas for your family. This may include your previous activity, family profile and your hometown. Tinybeans keeps your data safe and does not sell personal information to any third party. Learn more about your privacy and location choices. Close
Celeb & Entertainment Melanie Lynskey Talks about Being Body-Shamed in Hollywood & ‘Starving Herself’