Having a toddler certainly has its own challenges. Even if it's only 2 or 3 years old, his active behavior here and there really can make you tired to deal with it. Especially if you also just gave birth to a second child. Hmmm…. Have you seen what the hassle is like? So, how do you care for a toddler if you also have a baby? Check out the 5 tips in this article.
How to take care of a toddler when you have another baby
Caring for two small children at home is certainly tiring, especially for mothers. But calm down, here are some tips on dividing the time to take care of toddlers if you just have another baby.
1. Register the eldest in the playgroup
Tips for caring for toddlers if you are also the first baby is to enter the eldest into playgroup or Early Childhood Education for three days a week for several hours. In addition to giving the eldest opportunity to interact while studying with friends, it will also give you time to sleep or relax for a while with your baby.
2. Prepare a special playing area at home
If you are caring for toddlers and babies, setting up an area where children can play alone is very important. Especially for the eldest. Make a special play area at home with a variety of creative and educational games such as puzzles, flash cards, stacking blocks, lego and coloring equipment that are generally preferred by children. This place will be your favorite place to spend time playing at home.
Well, when your child is busy playing, you can do other activities, from breastfeeding or even cleaning the house.
3. Set the time for napping both children to be the same
It seems that this method will be easier said than done. Indeed, it will take quite a lot of time and effort to get your child to take a nap. However, in fact by arranging the hours of the baby's little one and the baby at the same time will help the mother to be able to just take a break to do other activities at home. Napping in addition to providing benefits so that your child can rest, will also teach your child to learn time discipline.
4. Tell stories together
To persuade the eldest to go to sleep, you can invite him to tell a story. Whether it's a story about a fairy tale or about his childhood. You can also tell how it used to be when caring for the eldest child as a baby and then compare it with how you care for him now. Make an interesting story so that your child will listen to your story.
5. Give understanding
If the eldest is fussy and spoiled - not really crying, just looking for attention, but on the other hand you are breastfeeding, make sure you say softly to him, for example "Wait a minute dear or just one minute dear, Mother wants to breastfeed first ... " That way, children will understand and understand your condition.
Which must be considered when caring for toddlers if you have a baby
Take advantage of your experience in taking care of the first child, even though the first child is different from the second child, at least experience when taking care of the first child will be useful. If your child's age is two years or less, face the fact that in the next few months you will face heavy days, both logically, socially and at bedtime.
This will continue until your children are able to go to the toilet by themselves and can do small things themselves. Gradually, surely you will get used to the rush of taking care of two children. Even though it's tiring, believe your days are also full of humor, jokes and laughter.
Most importantly, don't forget to rest while you can and keep your health in order to stay fit to take care of the baby and family. In addition, also give the same affection with both. Never be biased by loving one of them.