How I Get Through the Day With a Newborn and a Toddler

getting through the day with a newborn and a toddler using babywearing sound machines and play mats — *A realistic look at getting through the day with a newborn and a toddler using simple routines and hands-free parenting tools.*

As a mom of two littles, I’ve found that getting through the day with a newborn and a toddler is less about routines and more about finding small ways to stay grounded.

The days can feel long and loud, especially in the early postpartum weeks. I’ll never forget the Sunday night before my husband went back to work. I was only three days postpartum and had no idea how I was going to get through the morning, let alone the entire day.

There is very little predictability, and it is easy to feel behind before the day even really starts, so this is my parenting survival guide for tackling the day as a SAHM of two on maternity leave. These are the small things that help me get through the day with a newborn and a toddler while staying present and sane.

I Set an Alarm

I set an alarm for 7:30 a.m. every day.

Even with broken sleep, I struggle on days when I wake up after 8. The morning feels rushed, and the rest of the day feels off. Setting an alarm helps me mentally prepare for the day and gives the morning a predictable starting point, which matters when everything else feels unpredictable.

I Take Five Minutes for Myself

Before the day really starts, I take at least five minutes for myself.

I put the baby down in her Mamaroo Swing or bouncer. I added this toy bar on to her bouncer and it has been a huge help in keeping her entertained and stimulated in the mornings so I can get a little bit of self care in.

I take this time to brush my teeth, wash my face, and change my clothes. These are easy things to skip once the day gets moving, but doing them first helps me feel more ready for the day.

While the baby is safely settled in her swing or bouncer, I get my toddler up. Starting her day without holding the baby in my arms gives us a moment of much needed one-on-one time and sets a better tone for the morning.

I Expect the Morning Chaos

By the time my toddler is dressed, the dogs are outside, breakfast is made, and everyone is tended to, my coffee is cold and the baby needs to eat again (a SAHM had to have invented iced coffee, right?).

This is the moment I remind myself that this is just a season. Some mornings are about survival, not productivity. Getting everyone fed and moving forward is enough. We’re just trying to survive the day.

I Use Babywearing and Play Mats for Hands Free Time

Throughout the day, I rotate between babywearing and using a play mat to create hands free time. Both help me stay present without feeling stuck.

Babywearing helps me move through the house, tend to my toddler, and get basic things done. I love the Solly Baby Wrap Carrier for around the house, especially when the little one is being a velcro baby.

When I need a break from wearing, I lay out a play mat for tummy time. It gives the baby a safe place to play while I stay nearby, and it takes pressure off trying to schedule anything perfectly. I’ve found it’s helpful to alternate between the Lovevery Play Gym and the Fisher-Price Baby Kick & Play Piano Gym (the purple monkey song is a rite of passage in parenthood).

I Let Things Go

Not everything gets done, and I am okay with that.

The dishes can wait. The laundry can wait. Sitting on the floor reading a book matters more right now. Getting through the day with connection matters more than having a clean house.

I Use Sound Machines to Lower the Noise for Naps

Household noise adds up quickly, especially with more than one child. Sound machines help create a calm, consistent environment during nap time.

Both of my kids use Hatch sound machines in their rooms. They help drown out everyday noise so naps (hopefully) happen, which gives me a small window to reset or get a few things done. They work so well that I have two of them, and I use them every single day.

What I Remind Myself Daily

Getting through the day with a newborn and a toddler does not require a perfect routine. It requires flexibility, a few helpful tools, and a lot of grace.

There are definitely days that I count down the hours until my husband will be home, but it is important to remember that this phase will not last forever, even when it feels endless.

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