My first pregnancy wasn’t the easiest in that I spent most of it with my head stuck down the toilet but although my sickness hasn’t lasted as long during my second pregnancy I have found it tough going in other ways. This is mainly because I now have a crazy one year old to run around after while I resemble and have the agility of a baby hippo. While he has noticed that mummy’s tummy has got bigger and likes to poke it he doesn’t seem to have much sympathy for the fact my bump is making everything 100 times harder to do! So changing nappies, getting dressed, getting put into high chair for dinner continues to start off with a game of chase with me huffing and puffing along behind trying to catch him! He has figured out that mummy’s tummy doesn’t fit under the table or behind the settee so these are favourite places to hide and laugh as mummy struggles not to collapse under her own weight! As you can imagine I am just about managing the basics of keeping everyone alive and stopping the house from falling down around us so my top survival tips for pregnancy with a one year old in tow are:
Don’t stress about housework
If u manage the basics you are doing good, besides if your toddler is anything like mine they will come along like a whirlwind behind you undoing all your work! I’m lucky that my hubby is fairly hands on around the house so I have to be thankful for that especially if he is reading this thinking I’m taking too much credit for the household chores!
Try to sleep when your toddler sleeps
This is a precious hour in my day and I’m always torn between doing some work, making a cup of tea to drink in peace or just taking a nap myself. Normally I manage quick tidy up and try to stick my feet up even for half an hour to revive me for the madness that lies ahead once nap time is over!
Accept any help you can
Before baby number 1 I figured I would have plenty of time when I was off on maternity leave to do all sorts around the house but I’m much wiser second time round so if anyone fancies cleaning, ironing or cooking for us you are more than welcome!
Encourage independence
My son is getting to the stage where he can amuse himself for longer periods of time. Unfortunately this normally involves wrecking the entire house and pulling all the cushions off the settee to make himself a den but I love watching him make up his own games in his head and I’m hoping this bodes well for when his baby sibling arrives and he won’t be getting the same one to one attention he has been used to.
Don’t beat yourself up
Don’t allow yourself to get annoyed if you feel standards have slipped a bit around the house or that your toddler is getting a bit extra screen time that you would normally allow, sometimes you just have to do what it takes to get you through the day in one piece! Just remind yourself that you have already produced one little human and are in the process of bringing another one into the world so at the end of the day as long as everyone is happy and healthy that is all that matters!
New Mum Fun 
Haa haa – that picture made me chuckle. My smallest age gap was just over 2 years, so not too bad, but its definitely not a relaxing experience the 2nd / 3rd time around
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I’ve got large age gaps between my kids so never had to deal with this. However, my 8yo daughter started to become more needy the further it went on and now with a 9mo baby she plays up a lot to get attention. It’s driving me mad!
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I only have the one child, I can’t imagine how tiring it would be being pregnant and chasing a toddler too.
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Oh yes I have been there myself. I used to try and have a lay down when the toddler napped as I was so tired.
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That picture pretty much sums up life with a toddler doesn’t it! I always struggled with accepting help through all three of my pregnancies, I still do now! But, it’s so important to let people help you out, if they offer then they want to do things for you.
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So true!! Your tips are perfect. Pregnancy is hard going and finding the energy to do anything is hard enough! There are 2 years between my first two and that was hard enough. I left a big gap between my 2nd and 3rd (6years) it was still hard going managing both the kids when pregnant but they are such fantastic helpers now my daughter is born xxx
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That’s great you have 2 helpers now with your third baby! I’m due in a few days so trying to cope with 2 under 2’s will be my new challenge!
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I hear you on this one! I was pregnant with my second while my toddler ruled the roost! It was nothing like the indulgence of my first pregnancy, that’s for sure! Great list xx
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I remember my toddler deciding to ride her sit-on cow suitcase down the stairs while I was taking a rest …10 years on and I still hear every bump as she came tumbling down. But – at the bottom she stood up and ran off into the next room!
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Oh no, I’m sure your nerves were shattered! Sounds like a stunt my son would try!
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Pregnancy is hard work with a toddler! With my youngest son I had a 3 month old and a 1 year old and I honestly don’t know how I got through that pregnancy!!
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Wow, hats off to you, that must have been tough going! Will all be worth it when they can grow up with siblings so close in age to play/fight with!
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Having a kids is so much fun. But sometimes it can be so stressful in a good way 🙂 because of the age gap.
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I only have one baby so found this interesting! All the best for your new arrival 🙂 x
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Great tips. I don’t have any kids yet but I can imagine pregnancy with another child is tricky.
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By the looks of it, its really hard. But as long as you enjoy it I think since those times will fly really fast. Just enjoy it.
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Although I have no kids I completely agree these are awesome tips but it is easier said then done. I know how difficult it can be
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so true – each and every tip you have. my kids are both teens now but yes, i do remember how it was.. and these tips were all things i did follow 🙂
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I’m also pregnant with my second. Although my firstborn son is in his preschool age already, I still feel you, mummy! I agree with you on not stressing too much on the housework. Just do things one at a time and take every opportunity to rest. ❤
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That was really a tough situation. You are so strong for being able to survive every day routine.
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I can imagine how hard is to manage a pregnancy with a toddler… also because your pregnancy is actually hard to manage for them too, sweet little kids. They hardly understand what’s happening and finding a good way to share and communicate each others’ emotions and feeling is the challenge
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I currently have an officemate who is pregnant and at the same time her eldest daughter is still young. I’ll share this to her to inspire her. Thanks for sharing!
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I’m not yet a mom but some of my friends are. I’ll definitely share these tips with them. I really admire mothers!
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This is a lovely blog post and will undoubtedly help lots of mums out there. I especially like the point of not beating yourself up – that’s so important!
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Oh god I’m glad my girl was 2 haha it’s funny how different they can be in just the space of a year but she was much more understanding and helped around the house. I couldn’t imagine it if she were younger so kudos to you!
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It is not so easy task and thanks for sharing your experience. I see your experience and tios are helful for all the mothers who are on the same page.
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These are some very helpful tips, I was pregnant again when I had a 4-month-old baby so it was a balancing act that’s for sure.
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I am so glad I read this. I have a good friend of mine who is having her second child and she also have a one soon-to-be two year old. It has been a difficult time for both her and her partner. I will share these tips and this post with her. Congrats on your family and for being so transparent and a great source for pregnant women!
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I am so glad I read this. I have a good friend of mine who is having her second child and she also have a one soon-to-be two year old. It has been a difficult time for both her and her partner. I will share these tips and this post with her. Congrats on your family and for being so transparent and a great source for pregnant women!
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These are all really great tips! I have a toddler and can totally see her taking advantage of my pregnant self not fitting places, if we were to have another one.
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Having already raised our four children this post applies more to my young daughter. But I do like the tips you laid out. You just have to lower the stress and learn to let somethings go.
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These are such useful tips for moms to be! I don’t plan to have kids any time soon but i am sure there are many women out there who would appreciate you post 🙂
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I may have no kid yet but it is good to know these things, and share to my friends who does. Who knows, I can use these when I babysit their kids 🙂
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Nice picture of the toddler crawling around. It’s funny when they are at that age when they don’t know what’s safe and what’s dangerous. Scary too!
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Pregnancy for me has been hard enough, let alone with a toddler running around and having to run after them! So much respect for second-time mummies!
Sinead // http://www.mummeandi.co.uk
xx
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