YOU’VE just about got your head around how to look after one small person, and suddenly there’s another one about to be thrown into the mix.

While there’s a lot to be said for having children close in age – a playmate for life, cute matching outfits and parents who haven’t long forgotten the chore of changing nappies and nighttime feeds – caring for two under two is a daunting task.

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Sarah Campus, founder of LDN MUMS FITNESS, is a mum-of-three-under-seven, so knows a thing or two about multi-tasking toddlers and babies.

Here Sarah, who lives in London, shares her top tips for staying sane and keeping both your little ones happy – and the essential items she wouldn’t have been without.

Before baby arrives, Sarah recommends encouraging your toddler to engage in independent play. 

“Get them used to having short periods of playing alone with toys, books or safe activities,” she says. 

“This will build their confidence – and yours – as it will help your toddler then cope when you need to feed, change or settle the newborn.

“Also practice encouraging your toddler to learn to wait a short moment – tell them ‘just a minute, I’ll be right back’ – and then going on to praise them for being patient. 

“This will prepare them for times when the newborn’s needs must come first.”

Sarah also suggests getting your older child involved in simple tasks, such as helping to fetch wipes, tidying toys or choosing a story.

“This builds a sense of responsibility and reduces jealousy when you involve them in caring for the baby,” she explains. 

“Practising independent self-care skills, like encouraging your toddler to climb into their high chair on their own, eating with a spoon, or starting to tidy up their own toys also helps free you up when your hands are full.”

Sarah says establishing a consistent sleep routine with your toddler, if you haven’t already, is key to getting through that first year with two under two.

“Working towards predictable nap and bedtime patterns before the newborn comes will hopefully ensure a more rested toddler, meaning they are less likely to become overwhelmed or act up when the newborn demands your attention at odd hours and odd times,” she says.

Meeting their sibling

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You may well have found your toddler showed little interest in your bump or the prospect of their new sibling while you were pregnant – but it’s still worth trying to prepare them for the new arrival.

Sarah says: “Talk about the new baby coming early on using age-appropriate language – such as ‘the baby will need lots of cuddles and milk’ – and read picture books about becoming a big sibling.

“Involve them in preparations, too. Let your toddler help choose a blanket, toy or outfit for the baby. It gives them a sense of ownership and responsibility.

“Practise gentle touch by using a doll or soft toy to show how to stroke gently, hold hands or kiss the baby.”

When meeting the baby for the first time, Sarah recommends having the newborn in the cot or someone else’s arms when your toddler walks in, so you can greet them with open arms first. 

“You could even get a little present for the toddler from the newborn as it helps the toddler feel special,” she says.

Practise gentle touch by using a doll or soft toy to show how to stroke gently, hold hands or kiss the baby

Sarah Campus

From then on, try to keep routines consistent – stick to familiar meals, naps and play routines as much as possible. 

“Predictability reassures toddlers in times of change,” Sarah says. “Involve the toddler in jobs such as passing nappies, singing to the baby or choosing which outfit to wear, so that they don’t feel left out.

“Be sure to give your toddler some one-to-one time where they have your undivided attention, to make them feel secure and less likely to act up.

“Acknowledge big feelings – expect some jealousy or regressions, like wanting to be carried or using a dummy again. 

“Reassure them it’s normal and give lots of praise for ‘big sibling’ behaviour. Use praise generously – give them lots when they are gentle, patient, or helpful. Toddlers thrive on positive feedback.”

A great piece of kit for helping your toddler feel ‘involved’ and keeping them engaged, especially when caring for a newborn, is a toddler tower.

The ‘Little Hands’ tower from Baby Elegance is sturdy, stylish and brings them up to kitchen counter height – just make sure nothing harmful is in reach!

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Getting prepared

One of the biggest considerations ahead of baby’s arrival is which style of pram to opt for – with budget and practicality top of the list of priorities.

It’s worth checking out local mum groups on social media to see if anyone is selling one second-hand – but while that might be lighter on your purse, you may end up having to compromise on other elements.

With two under two, it’s likely you’ll need to think about purchasing a double buggy – or additional parts for your existing pram if it can be modified to transport two children, like the Joolz Geo 3.

Styles of double buggy vary massively, but for the first six months you’ll need one that can take a bassinet for your new arrival, and a seat for your toddler.

There are side-by-side models that offer this but they tend to be quite wide, making it tricky when it comes to fitting through doorways and getting on public transport.

A great, budget-friendly option if you’re looking to buy a brand new pram is the ickle bubba Virgo Travel System.

The Virgo Growing Family 11 Piece Pram offers a whopping 17 possible configurations to suit your growing brood, including two seat units and a carrycot, two footmuffs, two rain covers, a changing rucksack and mat, a buggy organiser and even a cup holder, all for £629.

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Once your little one is comfortable sitting up you could transition to a side-by-side buggy. The advantages of this, Sarah points out, are that both children get the same view, can see all around, and interact with each other.

Narrow models include the Mountain Buggy Duet – which Sarah recommends – and the cheaper Baby Jogger city tour 2 Double, which is just 66.5cm wide and also comes with a handy 5kg capacity storage basket.

While slightly wider, the Nuna TRVL dubl is still very lightweight and suitable for children from birth up to a generous 22kg per seat – great if you have a heavier toddler, as it will last you much longer.

It’s also travel system ready, so you can attach any PIPA series car seat to the wider seat without an adaptor.

If you’re after a lightweight single buggy for quick trips or travelling abroad, the Joolz Aer² is a no-brainer. Suitable from newborn to toddler, it’s easy to steer one-handed and folds up instantly at the touch of a button – plus it’s aeroplane compatible to fit in overhead lockers.

Sarah recommends getting a buggy board once your toddler is confident enough to use one.

“It gives the older child some independence – they can walk, but you have a back-up should they get tired,” she says. 

“This means that you can get out and be about fast and a lot smoother – you don’t need to carry or constantly encourage a tired toddler.

“They are much safer in busy areas as it keeps the older child close to you and you are in control of them, rather than them running ahead or in different directions. 

“It’s a lot cheaper and lighter than perhaps needing a full double buggy if the older child is mostly walking, or if you have three!”

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Another way of keeping your increasingly independent toddler close to you is a set of toddler reins.

A LittleLife backpack will probably be a more appealing option for your eldest as it features a detachable safety rein while also enabling them to carry their own snacks and toys, helping them feel ‘grown up’.

The Lascal BuggyBoard (available to buy from Cheeky Rascals) is your best bet, as it attaches to 99 per cent of pushchairs, prams and strollers, is anti-slip and comes in a wide range of colourful, fun designs.

Another great buggy accessory – especially if your storage basket is now suddenly taken up by another seat – is a pram organiser, which can double up as a handbag.

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The Bugaboo organiser is a stylish option (one for the Christmas wish list) as it attaches to your pram handle, keeping your essentials close by, has multiple pockets and a water-repellent design ideal for winter walks.

Sleep routine

If you’re blessed with a toddler who doesn’t wake up during the night, readjusting to interrupted sleep and unpredictable naps can prove challenging.

With two under two, it’s likely you’ll need two cots – though you may choose to have your little one in a next-to-me crib for the first five or six months.

It’s advisable to think ahead and consider investing in a cot that turns into a toddler bed, as this will save you having to buy a bigger one in a couple of years’ time. 

The ickle bubba Snowdown cot bed is a great option as it’s suitable from birth up to four years, and also features a handy integrated under-bed drawer, providing extra nursery room storage.

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A dual-screen baby monitor will enable you to keep an eye on your little ones simultaneously, without the need for multiple devices.

The Momcozy 5-Inch Dual-mode Smart Baby Monitor comes with two cameras – one for each room – and features two-way communication, so you can coax your toddler back to sleep should they be disturbed.

If a bath is part of your current bedtime routine, this is something your toddler and your baby can enjoy together. The Shnuggle bath is suitable from newborn – if your partner is around (and your bathroom is big enough) one of you can bathe the baby while the other sees to the older child in the big bath.

From six months old your youngest can join their sibling with a bath seat; the Little Smoby Baby Bath Time seat is safe and secure, with suction pads to keep it in place, and they can both enjoy the ‘activities’ on the tray.

Make sure your bath soap is newborn friendly – My Little Miracle Top To Toe Baby Hair and Body Wash comes in a family-friendly 500ml bottle with a pump, making it quick and easy to dispense, and is mild enough for delicate skin.

Slinging it

One of the items Sarah wouldn’t have been without is a sling. This gives you the option to be hands-free while your baby sleeps, meaning you can still interact with your toddler.

There are countless styles on the market – and you may well have found one that was the perfect fit first time around – but in the early days, the softer the better. 

For the comfort and security of a wrap without the faff of having to tie it, the dreamgenii SnuggleRoo Baby Carrier is a fantastic halfway house, ergonomically crafted to mimic the soothing embrace of the womb.

It’s made from 100 per cent cotton, making it super soft, but features adjustable straps and a support band, enabling you to easily adapt between carrying positions as your baby gets bigger.

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For on-the-go mums after a slightly sturdier carrier, the Carifit Core is a strong contender.

Its clever design, featuring enhanced neck support and a racer back, means babies feel lighter compared to being in other carriers.

Once you’re ready to try to get your baby into a more established nap routine, you’ll know from the first time around that creating the right sleep environment is key – though it’s not always easy with a noisy toddler in the house.

This is where a white noise machine can come in very handy.

The stylish heart-shaped Sleep Machine from Love to Dream offers all the regular features of a smart white noise machine – with a range of sounds, cry detection and the option for continuous or timed periods – and also doubles up as a night light.

The brand’s Swaddle Up suits are also a popular choice among mums, as they let your little one sleep in a natural ‘arms up’ position, reportedly increasing average nightly sleep from three hours 45 minutes to 7 hours 25 minutes!

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Sarah also recommends a SnoozeShade as this helps to create that dark environment conducive to sleep during the day. You can get them for prams or cots, and they’re made from an air-permeable mesh fabric that lets air flow freely.

You could also invest in a Rockit rocker. Motion can help soothe babies and keep them asleep for longer, so this clever device is super handy, especially if you stop off at a park for your toddler but want to keep your newborn snoozing in the pram.

Feeding

Whether your new baby is breast or formula fed, encouraging your little one to take a bottle can help lighten your load as a new mum-of-two, as it means your partner can step in to help out, especially if your toddler is demanding your attention.

If you choose to exclusively breastfeed, consider investing in a hands-free pump. The Medela Magic InBra pump – available as a single or double – offers hospital-grade performance but is virtually silent, lightweight and super discreet, allowing you to express on the go.

To make life even easier – especially if both your children are still using bottles – you could splash out on a bottle washer. 

Baby Brezza does a three-in-one machine which washes, sterilises and dries bottles and pump parts, killing 99.9 per cent of germs with natural steam.

You won’t need to think about a second high chair until your baby is around six months old, but should you want to ‘include’ your little one in mealtimes sooner, the Stokke Tripp Trapp high chair offers a newborn attachment option.

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While on the pricier side, the great advantage of the Stokke chair is that it grows with your family – plus the stylish wood designs helps them look like part of the furniture of your kitchen, rather than yet another piece of garish plastic cluttering up your home.

One alternative, if you have a smaller kitchen or don’t fancy having multiple high chairs, is to get a ‘booster seat’ that attaches to an existing chair.

The Chicco Pocket Snack Booster seat is nice and lightweight while still sturdy (great for taking on holiday, to a restaurant or on a trip to the grandparents), comes with a removable serving tray, and takes up minimal storage space.

Sarah’s number one piece of advice is to be kind to yourself, and don’t be afraid to ask for help.

“Lower all expectations and take each day as it comes,” she says. “Not only is it all new for your toddler, it’s new for you as well – plus your hormones will be up and down. 

“Be sure to ask for help from others. It takes some of the pressure off you and will help you with the transition, too.”

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