Having a second baby with a toddler?

I was happy to put up an exhibition of my products. I was elated as I was able to start my work again in whatever little time I had now. Now I don’t have to plan days in advance to go out with my 3-year-old son. Now I get time to watch movies or go for long walks alone. I was happy thinking about the trip with my son to Pondicherry. I had already started planning for our next trip. But then ” Oh Again! Oh Yes wow! No, not now! Oh, I am pregnant again! Thousands of thoughts came to my mind.

My husband and I had thought of 2nd child. I had a hard time trying to conceive the first one. Taking medications, hormones injection, regular visits to the doctor, monthly sonography.. !!It was taking a toll on me. I didn’t want to go through the same process again for the 2nd time. But then this time I easily conceived. It was planned but unexpected I would say.

Having only one child was also fine with us. But the thought of what will happen to our son if/when we are not there? Both my husband and I have siblings. The bond shared between siblings is above friends and parents. My son also started asking for a baby. There are many ifs and buts, pros and cons of having a child or 2nd child. It is everyone’s personal decision.

I have friends and cousins who are happily married for years and don’t have any kids nor do they plan to have any. Some have one child and wish to have another but can’t due to various reasons. This dilemma of having kids or how many or not to have is never-ending.

The arrival of a new member in the family can be a difficult transition for older children if not prepared in advance. Integration of a new baby into the family can create an emotional crisis for children. If you have planned for a 2nd baby or you just discovered that you are going to be parents again, it is better to involve your elder one in your pregnancy journey right from the beginning.

Here are few points which I would love to share that helped me in having a second baby with a toddler:

1) Try to know/ understand what they feel about babies in general.

Ask them would they want someone to play with or share their toys? My son would get excited whenever he sees a baby. He would tell me “mama I want a baby”.This was one great positive factor for us

2) Take them to your doctor’s visit and scans.

I would take him every time with me for all my doctor`s visits and sonography and before going for sonography I used to tell him that today we are going to look at the baby and see what is the baby doing inside( is the baby sleeping, or is the baby dancing or is the baby doing potty). This would make him laugh and curious.

3) Let them talk to your unborn child

I would ask him to talk to the baby. Let him ask questions.

4) Keep telling them that they will become Big brother/Sister of the baby. With that, they will have to change the baby’s diapers, apply cream, make them sleep, etc.

5) Let them choose or take their opinion before buying something for the baby.

6) Let the father or other members of the family take charge of the elder one.

E. g dropping or picking up from school/bus stop, taking bath, feeding them, making them sleep without you.

Tell me moms who have 2 children what did u do? Would love to hear from you.

You can also read: 5 Best Books on Pregnancy

Monsoon Care Tips For Children and New and Expected Moms

With the arrival of the monsoon bringing relief to our body and mind, rains at the same time bring uninvited guests in the form of disease-spreading germs and mosquitoes. There are a few things a child, a new mother, and expected mothers should keep in mind to stay safe and healthy. Here are some Monsoon Care Tips For Children and New Moms:

Monsoon Care Tips For Children and New Moms:

1)Keep your hands clean: Monsoon Care Tips For Children and New Moms

It is very important, especially for young children to wash their hands and feet thoroughly after they come back home from outside. They keep roaming around, play messy games, and through hands germs find their entry into kids’ bodies. New moms keep your hands clean before engaging with your newborn. Always carry hand sanitizer while stepping out of the house. You can also opt for Travel Handsoap sheets. They are very useful as they are very easy to carry and don’t leave any residue after use. All you need is some water. Check Reflekt and use my code GB15 to get 15 % off.

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To buy other sanitizer click here: hand sanitizer

2)Eat seasonal and fresh fruits and vegetables: Monsoon Care Tips For Children and New and Expected Moms

Have fresh fruits like Jamun, mangoes, litchi, pears, plums, and freshly prepared vegetables. Vegetables like bitter gourd and bitter herbs like neem, turmeric powder, and methi seeds help in preventing infections.

Remember to soak fruits and vegetables in salt/vinegar water for some time to get rid of harmful chemicals and worms.

Especially new and expected moms need to avoid:

Street food
Cut Fruits as flies are carriers of many diseases
Eating raw leafy vegetables

Keep dry fruits like almonds, cashew, walnuts, pista with you when going out. They come in very handy. You can pack them in small containers or wax food wrap instead of aluminium foil. I bought these wax wood wraps from Amazon.

Monsoon Care For Children and New and Expected Moms — **Organic Food Wraps**

3)Drink homemade soup, juice, and coconut water:

Like avoiding outside food during this rainy season, it is also better to avoid drinks from roadside stalls. Instead, make juices at home and drink them immediately.
Coconut water which is easily available is not only refreshing but also includes minerals like potassium, magnesium, vitamin C, fiber, carbs, protein, sodium, calcium. Expected moms should include coconut water in their diet.

A bowl of a piping hot soup made at home from mushrooms, dark & leafy vegetables, meat will boost your immunity. And adding spices like cloves, pepper, cardamom, ginger, garlic will add a fresh flavor to your soup and aid digestion. I always carry my travel cutlery pouch to avoid those plastic straws. (Travel cutlery pouch bought from @iktaraeco_zerowasteindia). You can buy straw here stainless straw and cutlery pouch.

4)Keep your child clean and dry: Monsoon Care Tips For Children and New and Expected Moms

Humidity in the air during monsoon makes clothes difficult to dry quickly. It is preferable to use warm iron over these clothes before storing them, to remove moisture. Extra sets of clothes, nappies, and diapers should be kept ready, specifically for babies. Keep checking for any kind of fungal infection underarms, neck, waist, toes, and diaper area.

5)Change diapers/nappies frequently or go diaper-free: Monsoon Care Tips For Children and New and Expected Moms

Change diapers and nappies frequently during the rainy season, as little ones pee more during rains. A wet nappy or diaper could give your child a cold, diaper rash and provide a breeding place for bacteria. During the rainy season, you will need to build a huge stash as it takes more time for cloth diapers to dry. Also, let your child go nappy/diaper-free for some time. Check some cloth diapers here.

6)Keep mosquitoes away: Monsoon Care Tips For Children and New and Expected Moms

Dress your kids in long pants and a full-sleeved top to prevent mosquito bites. Keep your baby`s bed /cot/pram covered with a mosquito net when they are sleeping. Use mosquito repellent made especially for babies and toddlers while going out.

Clear mosquitoes breeding grounds

Buy mosquito repellent for kids here:

7)Treat any cold, cough, fever immediately and take the required vaccine:

Treat any cold, cough, fever immediately, rather than waiting for it to resolve itself. A warm massage with mustard oil and garlic can do wonders. Doctors may recommend getting a flu vaccine.

8)Keep child and expected mothers away from sick people

Keep children away from sick people as their immune system is still developing.

9)Invest in good rain gear and wear appropriate clothes: Monsoon Care Tips For Children and new Moms

Invest in good quality rain gear and wear appropriate clothes. Invest in a good quality raincoat and umbrella, bigger in size that will last 2-3 years, rather than buying that cheap one which can be used only twice or thrice in a year.
With changes in temperature and humidity, let your child wear comfortable clothes. Take an extra set of clothes if going for outings. Firstcry has some wonderful collections of raincoats and umbrellas. To buy click here:https://clnk.in/jfBn

P. S: Views expressed here are personal opinions.

Tag: pregnancy journey