https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Fri, 08 May 2026 05:03:40 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/days-alone-with-baby-and-toddler#post-2715451 Thu, 23 Mar 2017 20:29:12 +0000 travellingbee 2715451@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I always found it easier if we went to a playplace that would keep DS1 independently occupied and happy and I could attend to baby, personally. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/days-alone-with-baby-and-toddler#post-2715095 Thu, 23 Mar 2017 13:52:51 +0000 gingerbebe 2715095@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>If you need to go out but your baby needs to eat, you can go to your car. Feed the baby and either have a bag of toys and a snack in the car for the toddler, or let them pretend to drive the car as a game. </p> <p>My boys are 20 months apart and we set up an outdoor play space on our patio for DS1 so I could keep an eye on him during baby naps. Ball pit, sandbox, water table, ride on car, etc. We can also easily haul a PNP next to the door to put DS2 in if I need to set him down there. Don't know if this is an option for you in terms of weather.</p> <p>Can you get a sitter for the mornings with your oldest? Last summer our 2 year old was home for 2 months while I had an 8 week old and it was tough! We had a girl come for 2-3 hours in the morning some days to run DS1 hard at the park between breakfast and lunch so he got some physical activity. I'd just send them off with a snack and a water bottle and I could focus on baby or snooze a little. Then I'd put DS1 down for nap after lunch and we'd do some kind of activity when he woke up that needed to last about an hour. Coloring, play doh, magnatiles, magnets on cookie sheets, shapes sorting boxes, patio time, mega blocks, etc. Then dinner and TV time, bath, books, and bed. </p> <p>I'd bathe baby during toddler's nap to simplify the evenings. And then bathe toddler when baby is sleeping at some point (my baby used to have a 6pm catnap at that age). </p> <p>Don't worry about chores but make sure you have any supplies you need ahead of time (groceries, gas, diapers, infant Tylenol, etc). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/days-alone-with-baby-and-toddler#post-2715075 Thu, 23 Mar 2017 13:35:33 +0000 2littlepumpkins 2715075@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think you will find that you are worried for nothing. :) </p> <p>You know what you are doing even if it seems daunting to have two at first!</p> <p>That said, we did mostly stick close to home. We did whatever felt easiest until something else seemed better. Started with walks in our neighborhood and dd rode her scooter, and moved up to outings and parks, etc. Preplanning meals can't hurt if you're that nervous about it but I think it will be easier than you think. &lt;3 </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/days-alone-with-baby-and-toddler#post-2715057 Thu, 23 Mar 2017 13:22:47 +0000 MrsSRS 2715057@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Well this is counter to everyone else, but at 3 days postpartum my husband was back to 80 hour weeks, so we went to Target! Also the library, fast food play places, playdates, parks. I think it depends on your kid and how easily feeding the baby is going. I'd make your first outing somewhere contained where your toddler can't run far. Could you meet another mom friend at the indoor play place? My kids and I recently had a date with a friend who was out with her newborn and 2yo and it really helped to have 2 moms. For example, when her toddler fell down she was able to hand me her newborn and go give big sister some attention.<br /> Maybe plan to stay at home, but if your little one is struggling to behave or just wild and needing to get out, don't be afraid to just go for it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/days-alone-with-baby-and-toddler#post-2715056 Thu, 23 Mar 2017 13:22:13 +0000 babybean404 2715056@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Thanks you guys for encouraging me to stick to my routine around home. I think I will preplan all of our meals so I don't have to stress or cook. Hopefully the weather will be nice and we can hang out in our neighborhood a lot! The library does sound doable and storytime would keep the toddler entertained for a bit. I will be glad when daycare opens up again! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/days-alone-with-baby-and-toddler#post-2715048 Thu, 23 Mar 2017 13:15:43 +0000 snowjewelz 2715048@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>When I was on maternity leave and alone with both of them, we stayed home (also it was Dec-Feb so cold for the most part). On nice days I did wrap the baby up and took DD1 (27 months now) in her buggy car for a walk. Super doable when I know baby is sleeping anyway. I'd even stop at the playground. But key is DD2 wouldn't need to eat. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/days-alone-with-baby-and-toddler#post-2715031 Thu, 23 Mar 2017 13:04:51 +0000 Anagram 2715031@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@babybean404: my husband had 3 overnight trips when I was home on mat leave with LO2, and I was keeping LO1 home with me that whole time, too. I was okay with the daytime, since I was used to it, but I was very worried about the night. LO2 was right at the "witching hour" phase and LO 1 needed dinner, bed time routine, etc. I was very nervous.</p> <p>It ended up going better than expected, but I was also so happy for DH to be home each time. I didn't get a ton of sleep, but it wasn't the nightmare I feared. There was some crying from both girls at night, when I had to leave one to tend to the other--but we all survived.</p> <p>During the day, we stuck close to home. I live in a walkable city, so we just walked to the park, to the grocery store, etc. I didn't do anything out of our normal routine because I find that additional stimulation/stress can go awry for kiddos, even when you are trying to do something fun or special. I also didn't really bother to cook for myself. I ate take out one night, and cereal the next and didn't care a bit. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/days-alone-with-baby-and-toddler#post-2715021 Thu, 23 Mar 2017 12:58:24 +0000 Boogs 2715021@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>With such a small baby, we mostly stayed closer to home. Probably didn't venture past a local park. It's scary, but it's surprising how capable you realize you are when you're in the situation. Everyone turns out fine. :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/days-alone-with-baby-and-toddler#post-2715017 Thu, 23 Mar 2017 12:54:57 +0000 skipra 2715017@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'll be honest - with such a young baby I think we mostly stayed close to home. Like playgrounds, walks, play dates with friends, the library. I was ok with nursing in public but needed to have a place to do it and not be worried about the toddler running off. I'd skip the museum until you're comfortable nursing in the carrier. Hope you have fun with whatever you decide to do! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/days-alone-with-baby-and-toddler#post-2715004 Thu, 23 Mar 2017 12:49:52 +0000 babybean404 2715004@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I have 48 hours coming up when I'll be by myself with my 7 week old and my 2.5 year old. I'm trying to make a plan for the days so I'll be excited and we'll have fun, but I'm worried about what to do and how I'll manage. We have an indoor play space as well as a kids museum nearby but I'm not sure if I should try to stick to home/parks for our first days all together.</p> <p>I realize some of y'all do this day in and day out but I'm nervous! I've been lucky that my older daughter has been in daycare, but daycare spring break is coming up.</p> <p>One of my biggest fears is that I'll have to sit and feed the baby and she'll be acting crazy or running off somewhere! I have a Tula and a Solly wrap but haven't gotten the hang of breastfeeding in either.</p> <p>Tips for what to do and where to go on our first solo outings? Any advice? </p>