Surviving Pregnancy With a Toddler

Managing Queasiness

• The first trimester may find you feeling the effects of morning sickness, although these symptoms don̵7;t only appear during the morning hours. With a toddler to care for, it̵7;s more important than ever to do what you can to conquer morning sickness. Avoid hunger by eating small and frequent meals, advises Katie Tamony, author of ̶0;Your Second Pregnancy: What to Expect This Time.̶1; Simple foods such as crackers, bread, pasta and cereal often work well to quell queasiness. Toddlers usually like snacking on these foods, too, so you can snack together. Don̵7;t forget to pack a snack for both you and your little one if you venture out of the house.

Getting Your Rest

• Fatigue is another tough symptom during pregnancy, made even more challenging by that energetic toddler you chase all day. Prioritize your rest by napping when your toddler naps and going to bed a little earlier at night. Although your toddler probably enjoys romping around outdoors for part of the day, she may also find snuggling on the couch with a stack of books entertaining as well. These down times enable you to rest and rejuvenate while still providing attention to your little one.

Growing and Managing

• As the pregnancy progresses, you̵7;ll likely slow down and become more uncomfortable. Listen to your body and stay as active as you can, continuing to play with and enjoy your toddler. Both your toddler and you may benefit from encouraging your toddler to bond with adults other than you and your partner. Grandparents, aunts and uncles and family friends are other caring adults who may spend time with your toddler, according to pediatrician William Sears, with the Ask Dr. Sears website. When your toddler forms a bond with a few other special people, he can enjoy spending time visiting while you might be busy with pregnancy-related activities, such as appointments or resting.

Sharing with Toddler

• Don̵7;t forget to share the special time of pregnancy with your toddler. Although she̵7;s young and may not seem to have a strong understanding of the process, you can still make memories to treasure. Take pictures of everyone, including belly pictures that include your toddler. Talk about the baby and your toddler̵7;s impending status of ̶0;big sister.̶1; Invite your toddler to participate in shopping or setting up the nursery, allowing her to pick a gift for the baby. Before you know it, your pregnancy will be over and you̵7;ll be juggling a toddler and a newborn.