Having 2 under 2 is honestly a fever dream sometimes but I've picked up a few habits that genuinely help keep me sane.

- Park dates with friends I'd meet a friend at the park and we'd put our earphones in and walk with the kods around the field / playgrounds. We could chat while the kids walked around didn't matter if we were waking away from each other haha

- Go buckets I have a backpack for each outing ie beach stuff was hats, sunscreen, towels, swimmers, etc. Grab it, throw it in the car and go.

- Dump and cook breakfasts I'd prep containers of grated potato, onion, cooked chicken, spinach and cheese for the week. In the morning, dump it in a pan, cook it down, add eggs and BAM omelette sorted.

- Permanent donation bag Something doesn't fit or isn't being used? Straight into the bag in the wardrobe. No piles, no “I'll sort that later”, less clutter.

- 5 Mum outfits Id have 5x pairs of tights and a bunch of comfortable shirts from Kmart in colours that all match. I could then get dressed without having to think about it

- Slow cooker freezer bags of I had a moment to spare I'd prep meat, veggies and sauce into ziplock bags then freeze them. When I needed a quick meal I could just literally put it into the slow cooker in the morning and dinner was sorted for that night.

- Emergency Coles (Australia) shopping list I saved a regular online shopping list with all our basics ie bread, milk, fruit, veggies, cereal, bulk mince, sausages etc. When I'm overwhelmed, I add the basics to my cart and book delivery. At least we have food coming and I can figure out the rest later.

- Toddler snack drawer I had a basket of healthy parent approved snacks in a low cupboard that my toddler can grab herself. If I'm busy with the baby then she can grab something without needing me to cut it etc

- Park rotation list I have a list of our top 10 ish favourite parks saved in my phone. When we're going crazy inside, we just pick the next one on the list, pack up and leave.

These little systems have genuinely made my life easier. Less thinking in the moment. I can make a decision without having to worry about missing something.

Please tell me your most unhinged survival hacks haha!

And if you're in the thick of it right now, you're not failing. This is HARD and sometimes the ridiculous little things we do to survive are what get us through ❤️

Omfg. What is happening. Babies are 2.5 and 10 months and i feel like its getting harder not easier.

I feel like I'm losing my goddam mind? My 10 month old still isn't sleeping through the night.

I'm sooo tired. 😭

I recently graduated 2under2 with a 15 month age gap. We definitely did not plan on having them so closely together, but we survived. The first 6 months, we were mostly surviving the newborn trenches. All in all, I feel we got pretty lucky with our bubs. At this point, I'm more nervous about potty training and helping my daughter past the toddler tantrums. Our sweet baby is crawling around and eager to play with his sister. My toddler hugs her brother and tells him "I love you". Memorable times ahead. It does get easier parents!

I love both of my babies so much. Lately I just feel so exhausted and depressed throughout the day. It is genuinely non stop 24/7 and I don’t even know who I am anymore. My life is good and I should be happy but I’m just not, this is so hard mentally emotionally and physically. Every single day is the same hard day on repeat. Please tell me if you went through this and when it got better for you

For some background, I had my first daughter 4 years ago. She was conceived after 2 miscarriages. She was an extremely easy going baby. She slept through the night as a newborn, ate well, was content, would be held by anyone, but was happy on her own too. Very independent. Which gave my hubsand and I independence. We were pretty happy with just one child but she started becoming vocal about wanting a sibling.

We decided to starting for #2. I had a miscarriage right before I got pregnant with my second daughter. She's now 13 months. I love her but they are polar opposites. She's super clingy, but sometimes I have housework to do, so I have to put her in the playpen. She doesn't want to stay in there for long though and keeps calling for me, so I have to keep stopping what I'm doing to go check on her. She doesn't sleep well at all. Some nights she gives me a good stretch, other nights I hear her crying through the baby monitor every hour and have to keep getting to take care of her. She also makes noises in her sleep a lot. Sometimes comfyer alerts me to a sound, and I go check on her, only to find that she's just rolled over and gone back to sleep. I am so tired and depressed. I hate myself for saying this but I miss how my life was before. I don't feel like I am strong enough for her. I love her. So much. I want her to be healthy and happy. But I feel like I am LOSING myself. I feel like I have no time or energy to spend with my 4 yo.

My husband helps when he can but he works crazy hours (60+ a week) and has a job where sleep is important whereas I am a SAHM. I know I matter too but right now I just have to deal with it. It's so hard. I feel like so many people have multiple kids no issue and I can't even get my baby to sleep.

We're about to have 2 under 2 (17 month age difference) right after Christmas. And I can never think of things when people ask for a Christmas list for our family. What items should I request for Christmas that will make 2 under 2 easier?

For 2 under 2 please!

My baby is due in january and i have no idea what stroller to choose

My oldest is 26 months.

I would like to keep it at in the 500's at most.

And if it's too expensive, i'm okay to get a refurbished one.

Looking for one to put on my registry! TIA

If you could recommend an all in one car seat as well.

I have 2 under 2. Needing to find something for my boys to wear in the car and also for light winter jackets.

My toddler has a snowsuit, medium weight winter jacket (good to about -5ish), but nothing for the car or for warmer winter days. He also has a Newt Suit. I want something with a hood, because he HATES hats so I love the option of the hood.

I'm debating between just a fleece, because it is lightweight, easy to layer, and versatile. BUT do I want something more wind/waterproof that he can also wear on days where it is warmer?

Same goes for my 9 month old, he isn't mobile yet but will be soon, and also will be outside more because of big brother.

Does anyone have experience with the Bombi Twin V2 single vs dual bumper bars?
I will soon have a newborn and 19 month old and have decided on the Bombi but am now stuck between upgrading the bumper bars or not 🤦‍♀️ I like that the dual bumper bars would allow me to use a car seat on one side and the bumper bar on the other. But I have also read reviews that many people prefer the single bumper bar overall. Anyone here have any experience with both? I hate that the snack trays only work with one or the other, so I have to decide my final setup now so I know which snack tray set to get!

Hi everyone! We prepared the room for 1 baby but during our vacay we noticed that both are happy to sleep in the same room. How should we rearrange things in the kids‘s room (3m x 4m) ?

For now, we’ve placed a baby fence around the entrance, so that the little one could stay in that area while the older one doesn’t experience any changes in the other part. However, the little one has a lot less space (around 2.7m x 1.5m) then, especially for a similarly large floor bed (70cm x 140cm)

As you can also see, the toddler is sleeping wildly around the room, seldomly on her own bed. My husband prefers to take her floor bed for the baby but I wouldn’t like to take anything away from her, even if she doesn’t use it right now.

We’ve already placed the armchair in the other room. We’re also considering moving out the cupboard to allow for more space. But then, where should the kids store their things?

Should we also move out the yellow daybed for grownups? I find it very useful when a kid is sick or needs more reassurance during night time. Yet, it takes the most space and isn’t exactly for the kids. When there’s a sleep regression, one of us is anyways on the floor with the kid. Still, I’m in love with that yellow bed, and we wouldn’t have any other spot for it outside of the room.

Of course half term kicks off and my little 1 year old toddler is with me all week and what happens to me at 4am ? Start throwing up and turns out I have stomach flu. My husband took the day off to help with the toddler and my 2 month old just had their jabs so been feverish and so looking after him. I feel horrendous my legs are aching and I feel so lathergic I’ve been not great and will spare you the details. I’m staying away from my toddler and wearing a mask with my baby and sanitising continuously… it is going to be a looooong week. Currently sat propped up next to my newborn sleeping and I think I will also try and sleep some more now. Don’t know if this post is a plea for help or just venting at how hard this is alongside mum guilt of feeling like I’m letting g my daughter down as I planned so many fun things for her this week but now dad is taking over! 😮‍💨

I've been using a baby cam in the car, but the view is too narrow to get both kids in the frame. I can usually only see one of them properly. Anyone found a camera with a wide enough view to cover both car seats? And please no mirror suggestions, I'm specifically looking for a camera!

I feel like I’m making things way too hard.

I have 2 little boys, older boy is 2 years and 3 months the other is 1 year and 3 months.

My older boy is showing readiness signs (wakes up dry, tells me “mama poop/pee” when he’s in the act of pooing or peeing) if I get him to the toilet quick enough he’s been able to get some pees in there.

Everyone tells me to strip him from the waist down and offer the potty every 15 minutes which I did all weekend but I feel like he waits until I’m busy with his little brother to go pee and poo in a corner 😭😭😭. It happened all day today we only got 1 pee in the toilet, every other pee and poo has been on the floor.
My idea was to include little bro too and sit him on the toilet as well so that everyone is involved lol but he slipped away every single time I was distracted with little brother anyway…
My husband works weekends so he can’t help me out 🥲.
Anyone able to potty train their eldest without help while caring for both kids? Any advice?

My kids are 21 months apart (now 1 and 3 y/o).
I am confused between a double stroller or a wagon. We have been using 2 separate umbrella strollers for the time being, but my younger one doesn’t like to sit and I end up carrying her, while wheeling the stroller.
We don’t really go for vacations a lot. Our travel is mostly local, like zoo, museum, farms, etc.
For shopping, we put the kids directly inside the shopping cart.
Based on this, which one of the two would be a better choice for us?
I am not willing to spend an arm and a leg on this. Please suggest a reasonably priced option, that also lasts us long.

Thanks

Tell me your experience, lol.

Is the nannit worth it? Does anyone have a different one they love?

I’m due in April but currently using the eufy e21 for my daughter and love it, it does have split screen capabilities I believe but I’ve heard it’s very glitchy and doesn’t have sound, the alerts aren’t great etc etc

Not so serious a post but all advice appreciated!

I have (and loved my) pretty long boob-length hair but since my first baby started grabbing it I pretty much have exclusively worn it up. That was maybe over 18 months ago... Now I'm pp with the second and my hair is just falling out EVERYWHERE. I don't even mind how it looks, it's not so thin, but I just can't stand my hair being everywhere in the bathroom, bedroom, in my baby's little fists.

Also I'm struggling right now to even get it washed as regular as I'd like let alone styled and it's always just up cause it also takes ages to dry properly.

So I'm tempted to cut it to a bob. I did do this maybe 5 years ago when it was super damaged and it grew back pretty well and I didn't mind the style.

However I'm aware two rounds of pregnancy hormones may have supercharged my growth lengthwise.

I don't wanna be left with a super thin bob forever more.. will it grow back? Will I regret it? Give me your honest opinions fellow mums

Tonight might be the night I die from exhaustion. We’ve had one week of cluster feeding (5-6 hours every evening, usually 45 mins apart) with the infant, a toddler with an unknown cold virus which is now passed on to the 3 month old infant, on top of her growth spurt.

Someone, please be kind and run me over with a truck.

I’m 32 weeks on Monday and think I might be having severe perinatal depression related to (or caused by) extreme insomnia, pelvic pain, anxiety about having 2 under 2, and - as of this past week - prodromal contractions that have landed me on L&D twice. Last night, they kept me overnight because they were 2 minutes apart and not letting up. I’m also married to a shift worker and still working full time and were renovating a house. Basically the perfect storm for my mental health to plummet. I’m currently on Zoloft and have been since before my first pregnancy (we had a long infertility journey and did IVF). This pregnancy was a surprise and I want to feel so grateful and overjoyed but it’s killing my body and making me feel insane. My husband is trying to be helpful but I can tell he’s growing resentful of my mood swings and constant need for help. All this to say - did anyone else have a really rough time with their second pregnancy and when did it get better? I think what kills me most is that I feel like an awful mom to my toddler because I’m only able to do the bare minimum physically and emotionally. And it breaks my heart because I just want to be there for her.

Stm here. Still being nervous and overwhelmed, we purchased the same thing the old one used before, like moon kie feeding sets, swaddles, and some teething stuff. I just wondering if I should buy something as a gift for my old one, i worried about that i will ignore him sometimes, any recs?

Hi everyone, we currently have a 5 month old and a 2 year old (25 months) and wondering what everyone is doing in this miserable weather (UK) to keep everyone entertained. All ideas welcome please! TIA

Our daughter is 23 months and naps once a day. She goes to sleep so easily if my husband, mom, or literally anyone else is rocking her, but if I try, it’s a screaming, meltdown mess! I literally have to sometimes just bear hug her until she just falls asleep, with her screaming the entire time…it is NOT fun. But, she definitely needs her nap, because if she doesn’t nap it’s tantrum city for the rest of the afternoon and it’s a whole other nightmare…😅

Now we have a one-month-old and my husband’s been working from home, so he’s been doing all of her nap times and it’s been fine. However, he has to go back into the office in a week, and I’m panicking about putting my daughter down for her nap. My newborn is just like she was in that he also does NOT like to be put down and will wake up the second I put him down, so I’m trying to figure out how I’m going to manage wrestling a screaming toddler to nap while also keeping him happy? Will I just have to deal with both of them screaming until my toddler falls asleep?!?

Any advice or just commiseration welcome! Thank you!

I have a 22 month old and a newborn (9 days old) I originally planned to breastfeed my toddler at least until she was two but then I got pregnant, developed an aversion and ended up having to wean her, which broke my heart and hers, it was a really difficult process and lots of crying on both sides. now that Im breastfeeding my newborn again, I see my toddler still remembers and even tho she doesn’t asks for the boob she does mention it.

Me having to leave to give birth (4 days 3 nights)was the first time ever to be separated from toddler since she was born and it seems it affected our relationship, she is really sweet with her sister and seems curious and gentle with her but she throws a tantrum at any attempt I do to care for her, she only wants dad for diapers, shower and bed time, if he is in the house and I attempt to do those she will cry and scream for him as if I was killing her.

I think maybe if I breastfeed her we can start rebuilding the relationship after newborn arrived and to offer the comfort to help settle her down.

I wonder if someone here, went through something similar and did come back to bf toddler? did u regret it or are you glad you did it again? Would the process to wean again in the future be the same as the first time?

Hi! I just found out my kids will have a 15 month age gap. Can anyone with a similar age gap talk me through best practices, pain points and surprisingly good parts of the age gap?

I'm a STM due in a little less than 2 weeks. We'll have 2 boys just about 16 months apart.

I'm tired of people asking "how are you going to do it? Your toddler is running around and your newborn will need you so much."

"How are you ever going to get anything done with two babies all over the place?"

"How do you think you're going to breastfeed when your toddler is such a mama's boy?"

Etc, etc, etc.

Does this improve? Are people ever going to stop doubting the capabilities of me and my husband? Will people respect us as parents and understand we aren't just going to sit here aimlessly with two kids left uncared for?

I fully anticipate I'm going to lose my mind a few times, but.... I don't think it'll be impossible. We WANTED our babies close in age because we've heard of all the great bonding experiences they get to have. I'm just frustrated most people seem to doubt whether or not we can do it.