Any tips for having two under two please?

I found out I was pregnant with my second around 4-5m pp (there’s 14m between them) It can be a little overwhelming ❤️ But these are some little things that I did to help prep for my seconds arrival: - I had just managed to get my 1st in a routine & sleeping through the night and this helped so much - Showing 1st gentle with stuffed toys/dolls etc. - Safe play space (sectioned part of room off with a baby gate, there was a mellow mat and we had toy/book rotation everyday to avoid boredom). I’d feed baby in the play space with my 1st and while he was independent and liked playing on his own he’d often come over and pat babies head or show him toys, try talk to him so they could get used to each other and nobody felt left out. - I’d Spend time 1 on 1 with 1st and with both. And tried to get 1st involved around baby as much as possible.

- baby backpack gift - they might be too young to understand what it’s about but basically you fill a backpack with some activities, toys, things your 1st likes, maybe some little snacks, I included a little note from baby and a little brothers photo album. The general idea is so that your 1st doesn’t feel left out/overwhelmed/jealous with all the new things happening and attention that babies need/get. And it helps keep them occupied when you need to attend baby. - I also bulk prepped meals, easy reheat meals & snacks or things like slow cooker dump meals/lasagna/etc. I did this to cover at least the first two weeks. - meal prepping in general - created a month or so of meals to make after those 2wks so I didn’t have to deal with a newborn, my toddler and all the overwhelm and fog that comes with it - just took some extra pressure off instead of thinking on the day like wtf am I going to cook today? How am I going to find time etc.

- utilised supermarket delivery services - after the meal plan, I used supermarket delivery services, set up a weekly shopping list for the meals I was going to be making (I created a different list for each of the weeks I prepped for so when it came time it was a matter of finding the shopping list on the app and checking out) - Rely on whatever supports you need: nursery, family, friends, go to play groups or library rhyme time, go for walks when you feel up for it. - make sure you look after you, have easy hand held snacks esp if breastfeeding - I used to have granola/muesli bars or something similar and lots of water every where and anywhere I was going to be breastfeeding. Get rest when you can, and if you can give yourself 30-60mins a day to do something for yourself (whether it’s a shower or bath, reading a book, listening to a podcast whatever it is that you like!). I found it just helped to keep me a little sane. let me know if you would like anything extra/clarification

I have a 18 month gap with 2 girls. Honestly it’s harder now than the newborn stage as they go in opposite directions 😂 Sleep deprivation is tough as you have no choice but to get up when the toddler is up, unlike with one where if it was a bad night you could have an easy morning. We didn’t move beds straight away, we moved her at 2 and then a month later moved the baby into the cot. We also didn’t potty train to 2 and half just because she wasn’t ready until then. My advise would be is try not to feel guilty for extra tv time or snacks as sometimes it’s needed to get through a feeding session. I always had a better day if we got up, had breakfast and headed out for a walk or to the park. If I didn’t go out first thing I didn’t go out. The bond they have is amazing so enjoy seeing it grow ❤️