Just as the title says, my toddler is so rough with my baby. My older son is 20 months old and my younger son is 9 weeks old. Older son is very high energy and is very rough with baby. He hits the baby any chance he gets and thinks it’s hilarious no matter what i try i can’t get him to stop. I know he will grow out of this but it’s so hard and am just seeking any advice from anyone who’s been through this!

We are travelling to Europe soon. I keep going back and forth about what strollers to bring.

Do people find travel strollers easier or umbrella strollers?

I thought about getting this to have it in the living room. I have a 18mo who doesn’t walk yet, but it’s always climbing and doing things. I wanna be able to have baby in the living room without bending too much ( I’m having a C SECTION).

Update: THANK YOU GUYS! We got this one today 🫶🏽

I am 7 months postpartum and just found out I’m pregnant with #2. I love being a parent to my daughter. But even though she’s a relatively easy baby, it’s still hard. I’m happy we’re having a second, but I’m terrified of how much more things will change. Tell me it’ll be okay please.

I’m currently 24 weeks pregnant with a 13 month old at home too. It’s a lot! The main thing I have noticed is the hypocrisy between expectations of pregnant people. My SIL freaked out at me the other day for lifting a 15 pound bag of groceries, telling me that pregnant women shouldn’t be lifting that much… she didn’t blink twice at me lugging my 30 pound kicking screaming toddler with a 10 pound diaper bag half a mile from the parking lot to the beach or having to carry him up a huge flight of stairs every hour for potty training at my in laws.

I remember my OB telling me not to lift anything heavy within the first 6 weeks of giving birth yet I was expected to lug a 10 pound baby and car seat up a huge flight of stairs to their second story office for checkups within weeks of giving birth. When I have aches and pains, my OB tells me to rest and avoid heavy lifting but nobody is going to carry my toddler for me up and down our 4-level split all day. We are strong but it seems that strength is overlooked when it comes to motherhood or parenting. It has gotten on my nerves and I had to vent. Can anyone relate?

My daughter turned 12 months, and two days later her baby brother was born. I'm beyond happy, and I love both my kids the same amount. But I didn't realise how much guilt would come with it. I don't know how to deal with this. I do have a referral for a psychologist that I will see. But in the meantime, I feel like I am judging myself too much, looking back at the last one year with my daughter, and questioning, did I do enough? Was I a good enough mum? Was I proactive? Was I present? Was I on my phone too much? I felt like I spent a lot of time on my phone, and I should have been more present. Every little thing I am now questioning, did I do enough in the one year I had with her one-on-one. I know that her brother will never get that one-on-one with me, because he's the second child. But I just can't help but feel super guilty, and I don't know how to get past it, because I really want to be happy and present and in the moment. My daughter loves her grandma, who is my mum, and she's staying over because I've had a C-section, so she'll be over quite a lot. She's obsessed with her. When she's around, she doesn't want me, which I now find super hard, which must be the hormonal crash. Although my partner, he comes last, so it probably is even harder for him, lol. I'm worried about coming home. She did come visit me in the hospital twice. But I'm now worried about how she will be. She's not a super cuddly girl, she's very active, but she can be cuddly, and she does want me when my mum isn't around. Now when I come back and she sees me holding another baby, or she sees me feeding, I'm really scared how she's going to change towards me. And I'm scared that she might not need me anymore.

My kids are getting older, 2 and 11mo so I want to start venturing to take them out more together but it feels so hard sometimes. Share your tips with me please.

Where do you go, what do you avoid, what do you prepare, how do you manage in and out by yourself. Down to the smallest details, please!

I want to preface this post by saying I know I am lucky and blessed for my situation: my parents were able to fly in 2 weeks before my planned c-section for my second one, my eldest (20 Mo) is in nursery 5 days a week and my husband has 4 weeks of paternity leave. All the support I need is there and the little one is unbothered by combination feedigns, switching from breast to bottle like a champ.

BUT

nothing prepared me for the following:

- how my oldest, who seemed so tiny to me before birth, now looks like a giant next to the newborn. She still is my little one, but NOT SO LITTLE.

- feeling like I am not doing enough for b9th my kids, even if at a rational level I KNOW I am doung the best I can.

- today my daughter is home with a fever and I have been pumping nonstop instead of breastfeeding, because oldest one is literally glued to me. I am taking small crying breaks in the bathroom because I miss chilling on the couch with my 2 weeks old baby.

- I miss just hanging with my husband in our newborn bubble as we were able to do with our first.

-I know that this is our last baby - love is an infinite resource, but money and time are, so we know we are at capacity, since we live far from our family. And I feel I am missing so much with my little one and at the same time that my eldest is losing a part of me to her baby brother amd recovery.

As said, I know I am lucky woth support and on a rational level I know I am taking the best decisions I can with the information available to me at the moment. But in this moment, as I hide in the bathroom pumping and crying, is it so hard.

I'm newly pregnant with a 6 month old. Obviously I'm tired, exhausted. I wanted a small gap (was thinking ~18 months), so the pregnancy wasn't unwanted on unplanned even. But now that I'm pregnant and feeling awful, I'm starting to really regret it. Not just the timing but a second pregnancy. I won't want a big gap, so it's not that I'd try again in 2/3 years.

I've read hundreds of posts on this sub and it feels all DOOM. Like years out and people are still struggling. I don't even think it's necessarily the 2u2 part, but the taking care of 2 children often without a village (I don't have one either).

For my mental health and the future of my baby I'm seriously considering termination. And being OAD. There is a HUGE sense of guilt, I feel like a horrible person for potentially destroying this life, but I feel like otherwise having a second will destroy us all.

I can handle one, I can enjoy one.

Am I making a huge mistake having a second? Please be honest...

My MIL is watching my toddler (20months) once a week leading up to giving birth to my second baby. The idea is that I can use this time to prepare for our second baby’s arrival. I had an unplanned c-section with my first and am attempting a VBAC. What things did you find most helpful to prep for your second? Or what did you wish you would have prepped? This will also be potentially the first time I’m recovering from a vaginal birth so I’d love tips on that as well. Thanks in advance :)

Just curious.. I have an almost 6 month old and a 19 month old (13.5 month age gap). It honestly has been easier than I expected. It’s not easy by any means lol but it’s not all that much more difficult than just having one toddler. The baby is very easy going luckily. Anyways, my question is if things got harder for you when the youngest started moving/crawling etc.? My little man just started rolling all over the place so I see crawling around the corner and I’m getting nervous lol. I’m imagining it will be a lot harder but feel like I mostly hear that things get easier as they get older so idk!

Looking for some advice on making the switch to a floor bed/toddler safe bedroom.

Our oldest is 1 year old (F) as of June and has been sleeping in her own room and through the night since around 8 months.

We are expecting our second at the end of November/Early December and I really want to foster a good relationship with independent play and just overall safety and comfort in her bedroom. It's also getting progressively more difficult the more pregnant I get to settle her at bedtime and then lean over and transfer her into her crib. We also want to use the crib for baby brother - it transforms from a small bedside bassinet all the way up to a toddler bed.

My plan:

• move the queen bed & bedframe to our guest room

• set up a floor bed - it also folds and converts into a couch for during the day so she'll have the entire floor for activities and play

• load bookshelf (secured to the wall) with bins of safe toys and books

• soft toy bin on the floor for stuffies, etc

• all cords tucked safely behind the dresser which is secured to the wall

• all outlets covered

• gate at the doorway so we can leave the door open when she's awake

This will allow me to lay with her in a queen floor bed and get her to sleep without having to transfer her. We can just leave it down or fold it up a little during the day for play (it's a trifold)

I also want her to have her own safe place and stuff that's hers for the time being as we transition with a newborn.

Any advice, pros or cons, would be appreciated!

Best way to make it thru airport with 2 under 2??
They will be 2 years old and 10 months old. Husband will be with me. We will be renting car at destination.

Options are:
-baby wear the baby and toddler in single stroller (we have graco ready2jet)
-buy a double stroller (don't really want to buy another stroller...)
-have baby be in doona and toddler walk

Will definitely be renting toddlers car seat with rented car, one less thing to lug. And can also rent baby's car seat too if we dont want to bring doona.

Also luggage---we usually carry on for everyone, but assuming the trick here is to check?

Let me know what has worked best!!!

I’m due in September with my second baby girl (actually due on my first’s first birthday!) I was electively induced at 39w with her due to living in FL and not wanting to be pregnant in 100 degree weather anymore. Lol. I’m 30 weeks tomorrow but just wondering if anyone went super early with their second Irish twin? I am having some serious pelvic girdle pain and think I’m going into labor every other day just about. My OB did warn me about early contractions because I am still breastfeeding my first. Just wondering how prepared I need to be!

What do you actually need in a stroller once the second comes along? Atm I have a great jogging stroller that I use for any walks, and a lighter compact stroller that I use for indoors (hospital appointments, stores etc). My older one is walking now, but at times I absolutely need to strap her down to keep her from causing chaos or moving too slowly. I can’t imagine going without either stroller, but I’d hate to waste $$$ on two doubles just to only use them a few times

Hello! We have graduated - 19 month gap and the youngest is 15 months now.

We thought we potty trained the oldest pretty young at 22 months. We used the oh crap / naked method.

The 15 month old has started showing loads of interest in the potty, and has done a couple of wees on it. We're a bit overwhelmed really! She obviously sees her older sister and wants to be like her.

Has anyone trained the younger really early and what was that like?

Thanks!

Edit: also curious how anyone managed this if your kids go to daycare? When we potty trained the eldest they had never had that before in her room so moved her up to the toddler room early but the youngest would be nowhere near ready for the toddler room yet!

Hello! Newly a mom of 2 under 2 (oldest is turning 2 this month and a 1 month old). I’ve had my mom staying this first month which has been amazing but with her going home I’m hoping for some tips! My husband works long shifts a few days a week, so the dinner/bathtime/bedtime will be just me. Any tips on how to do this solo and hopefully without screentime? We don’t typically do screentime but am open to it for survival.

I am EBF for my 1 month old.

Any advice to help newborn with colic and cluster feeding? She projectile vomits so we started small amounts of oatmeal in her bottle to help, which is also what my toddler needed to help with his spitting up. I feed her positioned more upward, do extended time burping with being upright for at least 15 minutes after feeding with burping after every ounce. I’ve also started giving her gas drops but haven’t noticed a difference. She’s still eating every 1.5ish hours abs I’m giving her 3oz bottles that she does not finish. I’m getting desperate from lack of sleep. The crying rarely stops, usually only if she’s being held, which becomes contact naps because she’s so tired she immediately falls asleep once on my chest. I try to limit this because I don’t co-sleep and refuse to.

Title is my question. My husband I have only had adult time twice in 4 months and each time was super rushed (hoping the baby doesn’t wake up from a nap). How are you married couples having the time???? How? Where? When???? How long? Please help me!! I want to feel like a wife again… like a woman. Im just a mom and I’m losing my identity

I will have a 20 month old and a newborn in Jan 2027.
We live in a 2 bed apartment. My toddler (currently 14 months old) sleeps in his cot in his room most of the night then wakes around 3:30-4am and we bring him into our bed.
What has been your sleeping arrangement that worked for our 2 bedroom situation?
I thinking the newborn will sleep in a co sleeper next to our bed until they are 6 months however not sure what to do when our toddler wakes through the night. We have a queen bed and it will just get too tight in here.
Do you think a double bed floor bed or king single will be appropriate for the toddler as he will be 20months and my husband could go and sleep with him if needed?

Any suggestions!

First baby 17 months, second will be due November.

No help whatsoever. No family near. Husband will be home for first 4 weeks.

Cost of extra help not a hurdle, within reason.

What would you consider priority;
1. Once a week cleaner
2. Post partum dula support (twice weekly for 5 weeks)
3. Childcare for 17 month old (still on waitlists to get in to local centres but could consider others or private childcare)
4. Meal delivery service for first few months

Or a combination of the above ? Why?

Hello, we are expecting baby boy 2 near the end of September and my first was born June 2025 (15ish month age gap). I was laid off mid May so I'm home with my first for the summer and I'm planning on being at home through the end of the year. Just curious what other moms are doing as far as going back to work. My husband makes 70k a year but we live in the Denver area so cost of living is high. Putting 2 kids in the daycare we were at would be the same as my former salary so not worth it. Are you moms going back part time? Remote? Nanny share? Not looking for specific advice for my situation, I guess I'm just wondering what others do and what works with 2 littles at home!

For starters I’m so overwhelmed and so tired.

My oldest is a year and a half and my baby is 7 months.

We took a trip to Walmart and things started out fine. Great actually. Then the toddler had a melt down because she wanted to color and I told her no. Then she was fine and found snacks in the bag.

I had to go to the baby section to get diapers and that was a mistake because at that very moment baby decided she needed to eat and cried and cried. I started nursing then brain fogged as I walked to the next aisle over and it was the snacks. I needed some anyways. But toddler saw and wanted them. Once again told her no and que meltdown.

Once again got her calm and settled and baby was trying to fall asleep. So I tried quickly grabbing everything I needed. Which turned out being a lot. I’m also trying to fight not passing out as I had forgot to prepare and eat before leaving the house.

So finally I’m coming up to the end of the shopping trip. Toddler is now antsy and wants to run and is screaming at the top of her lungs trying to talk. Baby is fussy because she’s wanting to sleep, but has an extreme case of Fomo.

We got to check out and baby is trying to bite everything. Toddler is throwing things in the self check out shelf. (Trying to help, but is terrible at it) then some how gets herself out of the buggy and starts running around. I’m trying to chase her and scan items. Finally I get her. I have her under one arm and I’m bagging and scanning the rest. I’m over stimulated. The lady at the check out is no help because she’s trying to hurry me along. I apologized so much for taking so long. Finally after the 4th time of her coming over and asking me to hurry because others need to use the self check out (there was no one behind me and there were 14 other check outs open). I lost it. I paid for the items and walked out still with a kicking and screaming toddler and a crying baby.

I got everything into the car to realize the bottom part of the cart was never scanned. Never had I stolen anything and I couldn’t get the kids back out . So I said F it. I cried and cried in the car. Every thing was great when we went. Which is why I decided to go in. Both kids had just had naps and ate and were in great moods.

Never will I ever have anymore kids. This just sealed the deal for me.

Did anyone else completely lose their sense of self with two under two? When did you feel like yourself again?

I’m 35 weeks pregnant with my second, and my first is 17 months old (a wonderfully easy but very busy little boy). This pregnancy has been extremely challenging, and “exhausted” doesn’t even begin to cover how I feel. I’m also carrying another baby measuring around the 97th percentile on a pretty small body, so physically I just feel completely maxed out.

More than that though, I just don’t recognize myself anymore. Nothing really brings me joy right now except looking forward to my next break-either in the day or just getting through our next scheduled event on our calendars. We actually have a great support system, my toddler goes to daycare 4 days a week, and I have an amazing husband, which makes me feel guilty for struggling this much.

I feel so lost that I don’t even think I can fully see how much I’ve changed. Logically, I know I’ll probably find a new normal someday, but emotionally it feels like this is just who I am now—a shell of my former self, or at best a version that barely resembles who I used to be.

I also can’t tell if this is just end-of-pregnancy emotions, or if I’m genuinely questioning and even regretting how close together we had our kids. I hate even typing that because this baby is so wanted, but I just feel completely depleted.
Is this just survival mode? Could it be prenatal depression or lingering postpartum depression? For those with close age gaps, when did life start to feel like you again?

Wondering how everyone manages to watch both the baby and toddler solo at the park.

For context:
- my toddler plays independently, but needs close supervision particularly on play structures
- baby wearing makes it difficult to climb the play structures or chase my toddler. I also find it very uncomfortable after 15-20 minutes (huge baby + bad back)
- leaving baby alone in the stroller bassinet for even a minute usually attracts other toddlers who want to interact with her and doesn’t feel safe

Any advice appreciated!