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10 Tips to Survive Pregnancy with a Toddler
Are you expecting your second baby and have a little one running around the house? This can seem like a lot to deal with at first but with some guidance and help, you will be able to survive pregnancy with a toddler with ease.
At first, you will feel tired, run down and overwhelmed, especially with the second pregnancy as your hormones also wreak havoc on your body. On top of that as a mom of a one or two-year-old, you are well aware of the fact that your little munchkin has an abundance of energy and won't stay still. You have to constantly run around, play and make sure that your toddler is well cared for.
When you have a little human running around, chasing him can get a little rough during pregnancy. Here’s how you can ensure that your second pregnancy is as wonderful and interesting as your first one. With a little bit of help, of course!
Why Is It So Challenging?
The best part of your first pregnancy was that you could rest and eat whenever you wanted. When you have a little one tugging on your clothes, asking to play catch or house it gets much harder. The second pregnancy with a toddler is challenging, primarily because the mom has to match the energy and attention of her first child while establishing a routine to care for the second one in the making.
On top of that, the guilt of not being caring enough, attentive enough for your first child due to exhaustion can leave you feeling upset. Thankfully, you are not alone in this feeling! We are here to help by providing you with the best ways to deal with your pregnancy with these top 10 ideas.
Ways to Manage Pregnancy While Caring for a Toddler
Being pregnant itself is hard work especially if you are in your first trimester as your body is making room for the little one inside. With the morning sickness, hormones and many other things to deal with, there may be little or no time for your first child. Yet, you might be wondering how other mothers are dealing with it. What’s their secret? Is there a special routine that can get you by your second pregnancy while taking care of your first child? Well, as mentioned, the biggest secret is that you are not alone and there are many ways to ease your pressure during your second pregnancy.
1. Planning is Everything
Once you realise you are pregnant you have 35 weeks to plan out everything including the hospital visits and doctor's appointments. Take a little diary, sit down with your husband and prepare a game plan. Little questions such as ‘How long will you be on maternity leave? Will you send your toddler to daycare? Are you going to hire help once the baby comes? need to be detailed out before your delivery. Planning will calm your nerves and will give you control over the major decisions thereby reducing stress.
2. Don’t Try To Do Everything
Realise that what you are doing at the moment is amazing in itself, so you need not try hard to be a supermom, because you are already one. It will leave you stressed out and overwhelmed. Go easy on yourself and lower your expectations. If things go a little here and there, know that its okay and remember that you are doing the best you can. If you are having a tough day, take a deep breath and get some fresh air and know that everything will be alright.
3. Don’t Burn-Out
The biggest mistake that second time moms make is to burn out. Running around, doing chores, taking care of family leaves little room for rest making moms overwhelmed. Take a little time off to go get a massage, a hair-cut or a mani-pedi to avoid burn-out
4. Ask for Help
If you are a parent who can afford help or have in-laws or relatives staying close, feel free to ask for help. Often as mothers, you try to do everything by yourself leading to overtiredness. Do not be afraid to ask your friends for help who can perhaps babysit your toddler for a little while when you get some rest. In addition, if there is an opportunity for day-care and little cutie is old enough, don't hesitate! It may be overwhelming at first, but you will definitely appreciate the freedom over time.
5. Nap
Combat exhaustion with a nap! When you are pregnant with a one-year-old, get your little one to take a siesta with you. Shut your eyes and pause the world and get some rest, as this will go a long way in dealing with the rest of the day. A tiny nap will give you the much-needed reprise, get your stress levels low and give you the energy to deal with the toddler once you are up. In another scenario, if you are extremely caught up, get your hubby to watch the kid and get a 15-minute snooze. Once you wake up you will be less irritable and more patient.
6. Make Your Child Independent
Your toddler may follow you around and ask for help when it comes to things, but make sure you encourage your kid to pick up a few habits and learn to be a bit self-reliant. Let them play by themselves, encourage play-dates to avoid clinginess especially when the new baby arrives. Make sure you shower them with lots of kisses and hugs when they complete a task by themselves.
7. Plan Your Delivery Night
Discuss before-hand with your gynaecologist a birthing plan and a delivery schedule. Make sure that someone is there, preferably a family member or in-laws who can watch your little one while you go to the hospital. Keep emergency contacts handy prior to your due date.
8. Relax
When you are pregnant, people often advice and say that your mind should be calm. The way you feel affects your baby’s health and well being so it's important to relax. If your mind is clouded with negative feelings, sit down and take gentle breaths. Meditation is a good way to relieve anxiety or stress. If that doesn’t work, go for a short walk in the park if you can. It is important to exercise, care for yourself and love others deeply when pregnant, as your mood is your baby’s mood.
9. Focus on Your Marriage
It is easy to forget about your spouse and your special time together when you are exhausted and have a naughty toddler running around. Remember, that your marriage comes first! Get someone you trust to babysit, take help from your in-laws, parents and take a day off to go on a date. Make it a weekly or bi-monthly ritual if possible. It can be as simple as going for a movie, getting ice-cream or a nice walk, but make sure you spend time with each other. Your biggest ally is your hubby so include him in this journey of motherhood again!
10. Exercise
You may have heard this advice during your first pregnancy as well, but move. With a second pregnancy and a child, you may feel more exhausted than before. The best way to prevent this is by moving around, going for walks and staying active. When you do small exercises such as yoga, walking or jogging, your body releases endorphins keeping you happy and relaxed. This, in turn, will give you the energy to deal with your toddler.
Remember, being hard on yourself will not make it easy for you to survive the second pregnancy, especially when you have a toddler. What you are doing is a tough job, so you need not feel guilty for not doing enough. Pregnancy comes along with numerous good and bad days. What you should keep in mind is to make the most of every day and enjoy this beautiful experience of motherhood.
Also Read:
Are Artificial Sweeteners Safe for Pregnant Women?
Pregnancy Symptoms You Shouldn’t Ignore
Take Echinacea during Pregnancy? Read more
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Coconut Rice
Savour the delectable taste of coconut in this awesome dish, coconut rice. The nutty flavour combined with flavourful aromatic taste of basmati rice is just divine. Add a dash of butter to the dish just before serving, and take the dish up a notch on the taste parameters.
Serves
Preparation Time
Cooking Time
4 People
15-20 Minutes
10-15 Minutes
Ingrediants
1/2 cup freshly grated coconut
2 tbsp sesame seeds
1 tsp ghee
3 tbsp broken cashewnuts
2 tsp oil
1 tsp urad dal
1 tsp chana dal
1 tsp mustard seeds
1 tsp cumin seeds
1 whole dry kashmiri red chilli, broken into pieces
7 to 8 curry leaves
1/2 tsp asafoetida
2 tsp green chillies, finely chopped
2 1/2 cups cooked rice
Salt to taste
Method
Step 1
Take a heavy-bottom pan and keep it on medium heat. Add sesame seeds and dry roast it for 3 to 4 minutes, while stirring continuously.
Step 2
Allow the roasted sesame seeds to cool completely.
Step 3
Once it gets cooled, blend the seeds in a mixer to a coarse powder and keep it aside.
Step 4
Next, take ghee in the same pan you used previously for roasting sesame. Add cashewnuts and let it sauté on medium flame for 2 to 3 minutes. Remove the cashewnuts and keep aside.
Step 5
Next, take oil in the same non-stick kadhai, add urad dal and chana dal and fry for 30 seconds.
Step 6
Add mustard seeds and let it splutter. Then add red chillies, curry leaves and asafoetida and sauté on a medium flame for 1 minute.
Step 7
Add the previously prepared sesame powder, green chillies, coconut and rice. Add salt and mix well. Leave to cook on a medium flame for 2 to 3 minutes, while stirring occasionally.
Step 8
Serve hot.
Nutritional Information
Calories
334 Kcal
Proteins
6.7 g
Fats
13.2 g
Carbohydrate
46.9 g
Cholesterol
3 mg
Sodium
74 mg
Potassium
141 mg
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Find Out If You've a Strong Willed Child
You say the zebra has black and white stripes, but he says it has white and black stripes. No matter how much you try to reason that both are the same, your tot will not accept your answer. It is white and black and NOT anything else. Have you gone through such experiences? Well, you might be the parent of a strong willed child.
So, what's the strong willed child definition? Also referred to as a difficult or stubborn child, can be a challenge to your parenting skills. A sensitive approach can help them grow up to be self motivated, confident individuals with high integrity. These five pointers can help you ascertain whether you have a strong willed child.
Strong Willed Child Symptoms You Can Easily Spot
Catch Me if You Can
They are fast. Strong willed children are fast at everything – walking, talking, eating. As babies, they might even start walking and running, giving crawling a total miss! The incessant talking and running can drive you to near insanity when he’s a tot but is a boon once he grows up. He is sure to teach you one thing everyday - just what does it mean to be strong willed!
The Small Big BOSS
They generally ensure that they have their own way. This isn’t limited to parents and daily food, play or other habits, but it can also extend to friends wherein they set the rules of the games and the role of each player. The next time you give your child those yummy round cookies and she insists on the square ones, be rest assured that you have a strong willed child.
Little Ms./Mr. Right
It's difficult to convince strong willed kids that they are wrong. All your well meaning efforts can be met with a fit of rage. Children who aren’t strong willed will accept a parent’s explanation. However, children who are strong willed have very strong beliefs and thoughts which might be difficult for parents to change. In fact, this is one of the most distinctive characteristics of a strong willed child.
Power Play
If your tot is testing your limits by being disobedient, you might be seeing a strong willed child in action. Such kids like to be in control, make their own rules, and stick to their terms and conditions. They don't want their mom, dad or anybody else to dictate the whens, whats and wheres in any scenario.
Parenting The Strong Willed Child
Raising strong willed children can be complicated and frustrating. Keep the following tips handy when you feel like pulling your hair out!
Setting limits for your strong willed is crucial. TV time for one hour means exactly that and is not up to negotiation.
Reduce the number of small rules and keep broader ones in place. For example, a weekly reading target may be a better idea at first than a daily one. When your child gets into the habit, he will turn to books of his own accord.
When dealing with strong willed child, consciously avoid power struggle. Respect your child and don't baby-talk to him.
Acknowledge your child’s personality and never compare him with other children.
Connect with him every day, even if you are very busy and have only bed-time to do so. Discuss how his day was and tell him about yours.
Make sure you reward good behaviour and clearly state the consequences of bad behaviour. These don't have to be negative but need to be firm, say, a 15 minutes time-out.
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Dr Laxmi Chavan-Sawant has added a new answer
Trying To Conceive
3 hours ago
Q. hi have one question
LT 10x18mm and RT 18x20mm and ET 6.5
what it mean??? and should I start intercourse
Dr Laxmi Chavan-Sawant
Ayurvedic Gynaecologist
2 hours ago
A. since you are right follicle is 18 mm yes of course you can start with your intercourse for conception as in 1 to 2 days
their maybe rupture of the follicle by which your sperm should be present there for conception
Dr Ghouse has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
1 hour ago
Q. #asktheexpert
why baby vomit
Dr Ghouse
Paediatrician
1 hour ago
A. for babies less than 6 months may not be a problem. small babies will be having lot of gas because of various reasons it is advisable to do burping of the baby immediately after feeding please give colimex DF drops to the baby they are safe
Rashmi has added a new answer
Expecting Mom due in 1 month
1 hour ago
Q. i am 35 weeks 3 days pregnant... my ultrasound report shows that "fl and hl are shorter compared to bpd"... is this anything to worry
Rashmi
Mom of a 9 yr 7 m old girl
1 hour ago
A. I cannot assist you on that because other things are also associated with the particular particular report so I think it’s better that once a gynaecologist is available she’s going to take up your query and she will be able to give you a better clarity as per the situation
Abhaya Rajput has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
1 hour ago
Q. I am 9 week pregnant and I have runny nose very badly can I use cetirizine tablet?
Abhaya Rajput
Mom of a 14 yr 4 m old boy
1 hour ago
A. Hello there ma’am please do not worry about it too much. Please do not take any medicine without consulting with your gynaecologist. It is advisable to get yourself evaluated by a doctor and follow doctors advise properly. You can also book online doctor’s appointment on FirstCry where the doctor can help you and guide you properly.
Thanks and take care
Rashmi has added a new answer
Trying To Conceive
1 hour ago
Q. hi,
my LT 10x18mm and RT 18x20mm and ET 6.5 , what if I intercourse after 2 days, can I do intercourse in ovulation day can become a pregent .
on ovulation day if we intercourse can become a pregent..pls advice..
Rashmi
Mom of a 9 yr 7 m old girl
1 hour ago
A. Actually on the ovulation time only you can conceive so yes if things are right with you you can go ahead with the conception but with what the details you have mentioned it would be better to have a discussion with your gynaecologist prior to you proceed to your ovulation and conception
Sai Prasanthi R L has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
51 mins ago
Q. Hlw dr its my 6th month pregnency can i intimate with my partner
Sai Prasanthi R L
Mom of a 10 yr 2 m old boy
15 mins ago
A. Hello dear! If your pregnancy is going on fine without any high risk factors then it’s okay. Still, would advise you to check with your doctor once before going further. Maintain a good personal hygiene routine and a healthy lifestyle
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