Congratulations on your pregnancy! How exciting that you will soon bring another bundle of joy to your family. Now, you may have noticed that being pregnant the second (or third) time around isn’t as “easy” as your first pregnancy. You may now have a cute energetic toddler following you around and demanding your full attention. Being on your first trimester can be very hard on you, you may be dealing with morning sickness, fatigue and food aversions. It may be more difficult for you to enjoy your pregnancy and it can even make you wonder if you can survive your first trimester with a toddler.
With my second pregnancy, I was carrying twins and had to take care of my toddler baby girl. It was an interesting and yet challenging time for me. The first trimester was difficult for me, I was tired all of the time, I had food aversions and I also had morning sickness. Not fun at all, I didn’t want my toddler to feel like I wasn’t paying attention to her or that I didn’t want to play with her. But, the truth of the matter is that I was not myself and I needed to make some changes in the way that I approached things in my life.
You are in your first trimester and you need to make sure you are taking care of yourself, that you are well rested and that you are eating a balanced meal (if you can even eat). Even though you have a toddler around, you can still survive your first trimester. You just have to let go of all expectations and try to do things when you can and have the energy to do them. There are simple ways that you can survive your first trimester with a toddler, I did and I know you can. It is possible mama 🙂
10 simple ways to survive your first trimester with a toddler
1.Encourage independent play
A very simple and powerful way for you to rest is to encourage your toddler to play independently. Sometimes you may not have the energy to play and that’s okay. This is the perfect time for you to tell your toddler to play quietly next to you. If you have a toy box, let your toddler have fun by giving them the green light to place all of their toys on the floor and play. Yes, it may be messy but right now, you have to do what’s best for you and your body.
After your toddler is done and you have rested, you can ask your toddler to help you clean up their toys.
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2.Stay hydrated
Your body is going through a lot during the first trimester. It’s important for you to stay hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids. You will have more energy and feel better if your body is well hydrated. Staying hydrated helps with fatigue and also eliminates pregnancy headaches.
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3. Nap when your toddler naps
If your toddler still naps, take advantage of your toddler’s nap time by taking a nap yourself. Lay down next to your child and even if you do not want to go to sleep, you are still resting your body by laying down.
quick tip:
If your toddler does not nap, then give him/her a quiet and fun activity that they can stay entertained with. You can also, put on a movie for them to watch.
4. Take baths together
When I was pregnant with my twins, I did a few things that “killed two birds with one stone” like taking a bath with my 3 year old toddler. This was such a great idea because we were able to bond and I was able to wash her body more comfortably.
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5. Order food
Listen, I get that fact that you may be suffering from food aversions and cooking is out of the question. With my second pregnancy, I couldn’t stand the smell of rice, coffee or pancake batter. So I didn’t cook it and instead opted for ordering out. I just couldn’t stand the smell of anything on my stove. I would ask my hubby to bring food when he gets out of work and it worked out great. I did try to order “healthy” food like rice, beans, salad and chicken.
Quick tip:
Ordering out doesn’t necessary mean, fast and greasy food. Try searching for restaurants that make wholesome meals for you and your family to enjoy.
6. House chores can wait
I think it’s safe to say that when you’re pregnant and in your first trimester all bets are off when it comes to your house chores. You do not have to do it all at once. Your house chores can wait, if today you do not feel like doing laundry, then leave it for tomorrow. Listen to your body and take it easy.
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7. Don’t be hard on yourself
If you happen to sleep or lay on the couch all day long, so be it. Do not be so hard on yourself. You have to lower your expectations and embrace your new normal. Dishes can wait a few more minutes, the laundry can also wait because you are not a super hero. You are a mom and you are in your first trimester of pregnancy. Which can be brutal to so many, so let your guards down and try to take it easy.
8. Easy meals
Breakfast, lunch and dinner may sound daunting to you right now. But, these meals don’t have to be hard or take a long time to prepare and make. Focus on creating easy family meals, cook with ingredients that do not make you gag or get sick. A great way for you to make easy meals at home is to search online for easy recipes and then make a list. Write down your meal plan for the week on a piece of paper and then go from there.
Remember that if you’re not in the mood to cook, simply order in.
9. Involve your toddler
You can ask your toddler to help you around the house if you need to. Get your toddler involved by letting him/her help you by picking up their toys after they are done playing. You can also have your toddler help you make his bed and simple things like that, can help you survive your first trimester with a toddler.
Quick tip:
You can create a chart list for your toddler to do throughout the day. Simple things like picking up after his toys, brushing his teeth and putting his plate in the sink after eating can help you tremendously.
10. Ask for help
Please mama, do not hesitate to ask for help when you need it. You have to ask for help because you can not do it all. During your first trimester you are going through a lot and help can seem life saving. You deserve help, do not feel bad about asking for it. One way you can easily survive your first trimester with a toddler is to have people be there for you and help you out.
Recap:
Surviving your first trimester with a toddler can be possible! Yes, it may take a little more work than your first pregnancy but it’s manageable. Remember to take it easy and not be so hard on yourself. You are pregnant and caring for your toddler at the same time, it’s okay to slack on a few house chores. It’s okay to order in sometimes. I’m not judging because I also went through the exact same thing. I was carrying twins and taking care of my toddler and it was not easy, so I learned to let go and find things that worked for me.
You need to take care of yourself because your unborn baby is depending on you. So it’s your toddler, and so encouraging your toddler to play independently will help you tremendously. Staying hydrated is super important because it helps ease fatigue and therefor you will feel more energetic. Always try your best to eat healthy balanced meals, even if you order food. If you are cooking, make easy non stressful meals that you and your family can enjoy.
Another great tip to help you survive your first trimester with a toddler is to ask for help. Also, accept help because you will never regret it. Your family wants to help you, so let them. I really hope you found these tips helpful and useful in surviving your first trimester with a toddler.
