
I originally wrote this post in 2017, just three months after having my second, which was 19 months after my first. I didn’t intend to have 2 under 2, and I generally recommend you don’t because it has been the most physically and emotionally draining period of my life. I should have taken more time to rest, and care for myself as a mother and human who deserved a period of adjustment into motherhood
I know have a 4 & 6 year old at home, and reading this old post brought back a flood of memories. Each stage is hard in its own way, and as mother’s we will be challenged to grow with each of them. There’s no easier days ahead, there’s just different days and different challenges.
- Sometimes Motherhood feels like a Broken Dream
- Millennials Moms: Trapped at Home
- Motherhood Makes Mental Health Hard #BellLetsTalk #BellLetsTalkMaternalMentalHealth
My littlest isn’t so little anymore. She’s now three months, and likely a whopping 14 pounds. She doesn’t fit into newborn cloth diapers anymore, and we’ve finally sold the stash of newborn aio cloth diapers. Sometimes, depending on the bulk of my flat diaper, I opened the rise snap of the OS covers to the middle rise during the flats and hand washing challenge. I’m quickly reminded how fleeting newborn hood is.
Somehow, I’ve survived the first three months with 2 under 2.
My biggest isn’t so little anymore. He’s almost 2, and a whopping 32+ pounds. He’s pushing the limits on his one-size cloth diapers, and I’m only buying bigger diapers for him (I would love suggestions for diapers that might work for him). For the most, he’s on an open rise setting. Next year, if he’s still in diapers, I’m not sure what will fit him. Toddlerhood feels even more fleeting. He’s growing up each day.
Somehow, I’m still around to tell you How to Survive 2 under 2.
2 Under 2 Survival
The last three months of my life with 2 under 2 has been a constant stream of diaper changes, feeding small children, and convincing them to go to sleep.

Changing Diapers isn’t so bad, most of the time. But the laundry piles up quickly, and the diapers are still in the dryer when the next load comes in. I change diapers every two hours, if not sooner for poops. My kids like to poop. Its why they are 85% + percentile kids (I think). Its not unusual to use 15 diapers a day between the two. I wash diapers every second day. When I use disposables, I take out the trash way too often.
Diapers aren’t even the bulk of my laundry. Small children make messes. Feeding toddlers is a constant game of guessing and playing with our food. Sleeves covered in spaghetti sauce, and pants caked in yogurt, the food battle doesn’t help the laundry situation. Maybe we need a super duper bib…
But its not just the toddler, newborns are messy too. She might not be able to sit on her own, but she can spit up. Little Man didn’t ever spit up like she does. If I’m not careful, I’m wishing I had brought a second shirt when we go out. We all go thru more changes of clothes than I care to wash. If you follow me on Instagram, you might have caught the post about my pile of laundry that’s still sitting on the living room chair one week later. #wehavetoomanyclothes
Sleep is and will always be my nightmare. I hate convincing small children to sleep. It brings me so much stress and anxiety. Sleep triggers my post partum aggression and makes me a mom I don’t want to be. I’m blessed and grateful Little Miss is an AMAZING sleeper. She sleeps longer and better than her brother ever has. It’s just who she is. But the toddler, he’s working on his two year molars, and any sleep habits we had formed are out the window. My babies will never cry it out, so this mama just has to keep cuddling. He falls asleep eventually, and he just needs his mama. It’s just who he is.
Oh, did I mention I’m tandem nursing. My toddler didn’t wean during my pregnancy. So it’s two nursing babies. More on that another time.
How to Survive 2 under 2.
3 months later, here are my top pieces of wisdom on how to survive 2 under 2.
Ask For Help
Ask for Help – I’m so not good at this. I’m sure you aren’t either. But asking for help will be the best thing you do. I need to ask for help more often.Especially when… doctors appointments, vaccinations, mental health appointments, bed time routine, grocery shopping, finding time to blog, the list goes on.
Meal Plan
For me, meal planning is less about a strict routine and more about gentle flexibility. I pick out 4-5 meals to shop for and then make them when I want to. These meals usually rely on staple ingredients that I can cook from frozen or store in my freezer.
My craving changes daily, so I can’t set a month of meals and go with it. What if I don’t like that texture or flavour that week? Instead I have a gentle routine with myself, and a few easy-to-grab meals that are a great choice on weeknights. Also, give yourself grace and just make egg sandwiches some nights.
I also had a friend tell me she meal preps in the morning when the kids are happy. If you’re living that stay at home mom life, this can be a fantastic way to get dinner ready without cranky kids asking for snacks. Make breakfast, put them out to play, and then just prep dinner, toss it in the crockpot or fridge and reheat at 5pm.
Give into Cuddles
Give in to the Cuddles – I don’t really need to do this or that; sometimes, everyone just needs a cuddle on the couch, in the bed, or wherever. Sometimes, everyone just needs to have a rest together.
I also believe sleep when the baby’s sleep. The laundry, the chores, the cleaning it can all wait. Take care of yourself, rest and just enjoy these moments. I know that sounds cliche and overwhelming, but there will be times when you can catch up, and I don’t regret snuggles 6 years later.
- Bedtime makes me an Angry Mom.
- Solo Mama: Managing Toddler & Baby Bedtime
- How to Cope with a Toddler Who DOESN’T like Bedtime
Embrace Tech
Paw Patrol, Moana, and Sing – I’m no saint, and the past three months my toddler has watched more television than I care to admit. But, when the goings get rough, you just got to do what you can to stay sane. The TV mostly comes on when Little Miss is nursing and nursing and nursing. If Little Man is cranky pants tired, bored or whatever, that’s when I use the Paw Patrol Zombie to my advantage.
This is really helpful if you don’t have help, or your husband is not around.
Get out of the House
Get OUT of the HOUSE – This might just apply to me. I suffer from cabin fever syndrome hard (yes, I just made that up). My toddler thrives on social interaction and nature, just like me. As soon as my 6 weeks of self-care and baby-attention were up, we got back into the groove and hit up our mom groups, hike it baby groups and just anywhere.Even just the deck – I bought him a water table so we can be outside. He likes watching people, and driving his truck thru the dirt. I like having a break from noise, climbing, and whatever toddlers do in the house.
- Getting Out with 2 Under 2
- 5 Things About Travelling Alone with Toddlers that Suck
- Do you need a Double Stroller for 2 under 2?
Containment Devices
CONTAINMENT IS KEY – How do you get out of the house with 2 under 2? You contain them. Strollers and baby wearing gizmos and you are good to go. DON’T EVER THINK TO LET YOUR TODDLER WALK ON HIS OWN… HE WILL RUN INTO TRAFFIC. #lessonlearnt #morethanonceOnly let him run in safe spaces, otherwise, strap that kid to your back or into the stroller.
This is why you need a double stroller, and this baby wearing minimal baby gear mama will talk you into one.
Did you survive 2 under 2? What’s your most helpful advice?

Honestly, don’t do it. Why would you put yourself thru chasing a rambunctious toddler while caring for a needy newborn? Sure, they’ll be BFF’s later in life, but its physically exhausting. Don’t ever go to anyone’s house that isn’t toddler proofed. Don’t ever expect to sleep. And purchase a lifetime supply of coffee. You can find some here on Well. ca. (I don’t drink that, but they don’t sell what I drink and I used to like that brand) or better yet subscribe to Amazon Subscribe & Save to have it delivered monthly! (Amazon doesn’t sell my coffee either)
I am so amazed you are nursing two kiddos at the same time! I can’t wrap my head around it but I certainly give you kudos! I wish breastfeeding had worked out for us 🙁 great post!
Yes! Those are great tips. I don’t have two under two but I do have a 3 year old and a 2 month old and it certainly all still feels that way. Even if my 3 year old is potty trained.
I have loved meal prepping. It is a lot to do at once but even just doing a couple lasagnas and freezing them in individual portions has been a life saver for me. It’s a quick lunch or dinner when I just dont have it in me to make something. Asking for help if you have people to help is a great one too. I’ve done that a lot more this time and while we don’t have many people to help the one or two that do occasionally has been so wonderful!
Congratulations on your newest little!
I will definitely be keeping this away for later, I’m not at the 2 under 2 threshold yet haha 🙂
Sounds like you’re doing an amazing job managing 2 under 2. I really like your tips. I also like to take my little kids out of the house even though sometimes it’s a struggle! You have too get them into the stroller or baby carrier so they don’t get away. If it’s too cold outside the mall is a good place to just walk around. My kids really like watching moana and trolls right now. Keeps them distracted and happy. We love to sing too!
Oh its a deal handling 2 under 2! I just can’t imagine handling one 2 year kid of mine, can really understand the physical & mental exhaustion you would be going! Be strong n keep going mama!
Thank you so much for your post, I am 3 weeks postpartum with a 21 month old as well. I am also tandem nursing, because Little Miss did not wean while I was pregnant either. Currently I am struggling with the stuck in the house Blues. I know that everything is going to take an adjustment but I totally agree with you bedtime is my nemesis my husband works 2nd shift so I’m flying solo Monday through Friday with the bedtime routine. Thank you again for providing a light at the end of the tunnel 🙂 best to you and yours!
I love this post becauser it specifically addresses the first three months, which must be the hardest right? I’m one month into raising 2under2. My oldest is 18 months. Just curious about some of the things you struggled with and how you fixed them. My family has been struggling with bed time for sure, me and Lil one sleep on the couch for now, i know shame on me. And big one sleeps with his daddy in what used to be our bed. I’m a no tears kinda parent and a loose schedule kinda parent. Watching the clock kicks in major anxiety, and trying to find a system that works for us has been so hard. . . I’m scouring the internet for any tidbits of info that may help, but i keep finding the same content. No one has been very specific. So for now I’m totally winging it,hour by hour.