handling a baby and a toddler -- help?

[ms sig]

I know I'm not the only one who's done this. :) I'm lucky in that my husband took off and worked a little from home for the first two months. But now he's back to his full schedule and I'm at a loss on what to do. Unfortunately, I had a cesarean birth with my 8-week-old and my back still hurts so it's hard to carry him *all* the time. I can carry him sometimes, but sometimes I have to lay him down and let him cry when I'm attending to my 25-month-old daughter (diaper changing, putting her down for naps, etc). How do you manage two under two? He's not very content just laying down alone yet. Thanks!

[pbjmama]

Its just a learning curve...and your kids cry more when you have 2. Nobody likes it but one kid just has to wait while you attend to the other. Sorry I don't have any great specific advice!

[elus0814]

My older two, now six and almost five, are 15 months apart. My younger two, now 20 months and 3 months, are 17 months apart. There is no real trick to it but it does take some time (more than 8 weeks) to figure out your method for handling two under two. I've found that when I have a new baby and toddler at the same time I have to use things I don't really like to to get through the day, like the tv. Sesame street has saved my sanity on more than one occasion. It's great that your husband was able to take some time off, maybe see if he can come home early or go in late a few days each week. My husband had to go back to work within a day or two of when each of my kids were born. He was at work the day the first was born and he was deployed when the third was born. It's tough but you can get through it. 

[tabrizia]

I used a carrier a lot in the early days, I figure it will be the same come March.  If you can't use a carrier because of the c-section, I am not sure what to suggest unfortunately.  It was a lot easier dealing with a newborn and just turned 2 year old with the newborn snuggled up close in the carrier and then being able to deal with the little one.  Also the first few months the 2 year old probably watched a bit more tv then was really appropriate, but it kept him entertained and contained while I was stuck sitting and nursing his baby sister.

It does get easier day by day, but the first few months are really tough.