How to Survive Being Pregnant and Parenting a Toddler

Your pregnant and you have a toddler, congratulations! It’s not the end of the world I promise. You will probably even end up loving how close in age your kids are! I know I do!

8 Parenting tips for pregnant moms with Young Kids

Being pregnant and having a toddler or young kids to take care of can make your pregnancy a little harder but these hacks will help make it as easy as possible to grow a baby while raising a toddler.

You know pregnant when you have a toddler definitely puts that first pregnancy in perspective. Haha, looking back that first pregnancy seems so easy!

But in another way your second pregnancy is much easier because you already know what to expect.

Each pregnancy will most likely be a little different but having already had a baby you can already anticipate how this pregnancy will most likely go.

How to Survive Being Pregnant and Parenting Young Kids

Ask for Help

Depending on how your pregnancies go you might need help at different stages.

For me, I was lucky and only had mild morning sickness for a couple of weeks with both of my pregnancies. And the rest of my pregnancies are uneventful, just exhausting.

But I have cesarean deliveries so I need a lot more help during the hospital stay and after coming home.

If you experience extreme morning sickness, ask for help! It doesn’t matter what stage of pregnancy you need help with, ask!

A lot of times people around us really want to help but they just don’t know how, so tell them!

Sleep

Early in my second pregnancy, I was trying to get up early and get things done before my toddler woke up. I quickly learned that for me this was not a good idea. Sleep was much more important than the tasks I was getting done around the house.

Get Out!

This is probably the last thing you want to hear but get out of the house!! Getting our of the house has this magical effect on my toddler’s attitude and for some magical reason I usually (not always) had more energy and felt better getting out.

One of my favorite places to go with my toddler while I was pregnant is to the library. My toddler was able to play and I didn’t have to chase him very far.

Playdates are also a great way to entertain your toddler without having to chase them around.

Make Fast and Easy Meals

It’s important to eat healthy meals when your pregnant but that doesn’t mean you have to have time-consuming and elaborate meals.

Healthy fast and easy meals are the way to go when pregnant. An occasional “big meal” is great but do not feel like you need to make a big dinner every night. Taco salad was one of my go-to meals during my second pregnancy.

Simplify

Not only should you simplify your meals but also what you expect yourself to accomplish. Remember growing a baby is hard work!

Now I’m not saying that you can’t accomplish things while pregnant and caring for a toddler. You can! Just remember to prioritize and be ok with not getting everything done. A healthy and happy family is the most important.

Read

One of our daily activities now and when I was pregnant is reading. Reading is a great activity and a way to bond with your child. Remember their world is turning upside down too!

Reading is something that you can do consistently through your pregnancy and continue after the new baby is born. If you need ideas of books to read check out some of our favorite books.

Be Okay with Screen Time

I found that I had to quit feeling guilty when we would spend a day watching movies and not doing much else. It didn’t happen every day but learning to be ok with having “lazy days” was a big part of my second pregnancy.

There are days you simply don’t feel good and it’s ok to take a day to relax and take it easy.

No my kids don’t watch screens all day, but there are some days that they get more screen time than others.

Smile and Laugh

The biggest thing is to smile and laugh remember, even though this is hard it is so worth it. You are growing your family and you will find so much joy as you look for things to make you smile and laugh.

My oldest two are 22 months apart and have become best friends and worst enemies at times.

Watching them have each other to play with and love is one of my greatest joys.

What tips have made being pregnant and having a toddler easier for you?