15 survival tips: pregnant with a toddler around

Read along as I share my top 15 survival tips when you are pregnant with a toddler around.
Maybe you’re already pregnant and trying to figure out how to handle it all with a toddler at home.
Or maybe you’re thinking about getting pregnant again, but you’re unsure what it will be like with a little one already in the mix.
Either way, I want you to know this—being pregnant with a toddler is not only possible, but it can also be enjoyable.
Yes, it comes with challenges. But there are also beautiful moments and ways to make it work.

In this post, I’ll share tips that helped me through this season.
My hope is that they encourage you and help you feel seen—because you are not alone, mama.

A Whole New Kind of Hard Work

Being a first time mom comes with many challenges and lots of uncertainty. Just when I figured something out, a new phase began. I had to start learning all over again. Doing everything for the first time felt intense. The learning curve with my first child was very steep—believe me.

I actually looked forward to having a second child and I thought things would feel more familiar. I hoped I wouldn’t feel so clueless. That might be true—but I didn’t think about one big thing: I would go through a second pregnancy with an older child around!

I was still figuring out motherhood when I got pregnant again—just one year postpartum. Having a toddler and a fresh pregnancy was a lot of hard work.

But let me encourage you already: I survived. And so did all the pregnant women I know who gave me advice for this post. I’ll share the hardest moments, but also practical tips that helped me. So let’s start at the beginning: the first trimester.

Morning Sickness Meets Morning Chaos

Many pregnant women experience morning sickness during the first trimester—and sometimes even longer. It’s one of the most common pregnancy symptoms. Are you going through the first trimester for the first time? Read here 15 things that surprised me about the first trimester!

Luckily, my morning sickness during my second pregnancy wasn’t as bad as the first. But for two months, I felt sick and low on energy. One tip helped right away—and it worked for my toddler too:

1. Focus on healthy snacks.

Snacks helped me feel less sick and gave my toddler something to enjoy. I made fruit plates, and we ate corn cakes together on the sofa. We made snack time part of our daily routine—once in the morning and once in the afternoon. It was a game changer for me, and I think most young children enjoy that rhythm too.

Another lifesaver? 2. Playkits you can use on the couch or bed.

I kept a box of toys I could carry with me to the sofa or bed. Sometimes I set up a cozy spot in the playroom so I could lie down while staying close to my toddler. With morning sickness, I often just needed to rest. Lying down while my toddler played nearby helped her stay calm and off my belly. It made a big difference. But how to deal with lifting a toddler?

Lifting, Playing, and Keeping Up Safely

Speaking about a climibing toddler on your belly: lifting heavy things becomes a whole new question during your second pregnancy.

Advice about lifting during pregnancy can vary a lot. Some say it’s fine, others say avoid it. The best thing you can do is check in with your care provider. A visit to a physiotherapist can also help. They can show you how to lift your toddler or other heavy things safely.
This is extra important if you have an older baby who still needs to be carried often. Lifting them in the right way can make a big difference.

Even though my toddler was still light, I often found lifting her uncomfortable. So here’s my tip based the advice of the American Pregnancy Association: try to avoid lifting whenever possible.
Having an active toddler can actually help. With a bit of patience, they might be able to climb up on the sofa or stairs with your support. That way, you avoid carrying their full weight.

3. Let them do as much as they can by themselves.

This helps both your second pregnancy and their development. It builds their self-confidence too. As toddlers grow older and heavier, they also get more independent. That one shift saved me so much energy for the rest of the day.

4. Go down to them instead of lifting them up.

If they need comfort, sit on the floor. Let them climb into your lap instead of picking them up. The same goes for diaper changes—bring the wipes and diaper to them on the floor. Get them dressed there too.
I noticed that on days I had very little energy, I only needed to lift her for mealtime and nap time. The rest of the day was manageable. Keep on reading as I share more tips on dealing with little energy.

When You’re Tired and They’re Not

Let’s be honest: toddlers often seem full of endless energy. They want to play for hours — with you!

During my first pregnancy, I was already tired. In my second, I had horrible evening headaches from pure exhaustion. The only thing that helped my energy levels?

5. Nap when the toddler naps.

I know it’s not always easy. But I made it a priority to nap in the afternoon when my girl was napping. You might not need the full nap time. Set an alarm for when you want to wake up.
Still tired? Keep sleeping until your toddler wakes up or you feel better.

If your toddler no longer naps, try letting them play safely in their crib for 20–30 minutes. That gives you a little time to rest in another room.
Some moms can’t sleep during nap time. In that case, getting enough hours of sleep might mean going to bed early.

In my experience, I could make up for lost hours of sleep once I was more rested. A lack of sleep really hurts your energy levels and makes you feel unproductive. But being unproductive and tired weren’t the only issues during my early pregnancy. Read along as I share about how to stay patient when you are feeling low.

Staying Patient When Your Mood Is Low

During the first trimester, I struggled with many negative feelings both times. My energy was low, and I wasn’t happy about anything. Somewhere between 15 and 20 weeks, my hormones shifted, and I suddenly started to feel better. But during those tough weeks, I needed a lot of patience — for my toddler and for myself.

Mental health struggles or simply feeling low can make toddler life feel really hard. Your toddler is going through big feelings too, which adds even more pressure. That can be frustrating and make you feel like you’re always falling short. But please don’t drown in mom guilt. You’re not alone in this, and it really is just a phase. Even if it feels endless, it doesn’t define you as a mom. These strong hormonal shifts are hard and sometimes you need extra help to get through them.

6. Look for extra help with your little one.

In tough times, getting extra help can make a big difference. Could your toddler stay in daycare 30 minutes longer so you can breathe? Maybe your mom can take them once a week for a few hours. Partners, friends, or babysitters might also be able to step in. I often handed over care as much as I could. I simply didn’t have anything more to give. And that’s okay — as long as you reconnect with your toddler later in a way that works for you both.

7. Make intentional time with your toddler.

When you can, give your toddler your full attention. Talk to them without interruptions and really listen to their toddler talk even if it’s just 15 minutes at a time. It helps them feel safe and secure, and it can help you gain perspective. You don’t have to be there every moment of the day for them to feel loved. No one is perfect. Just try to have a few short, quality moments together each day to keep your bond strong. Next I will share about the possibilities for breastfeeding during pregnancy.

Breastfeeding While Pregnant: Yes, It’s Possible

If you breastfeed for a long time or have back-to-back pregnancies, you might wonder whether to continue breastfeeding while pregnant. First, always check with your care provider or breastfeeding counsellor. Every pregnancy and situation is different. Ask someone with expertise who knows your circumstances if you can keep breastfeeding.

8. Generally, you can continue breastfeeding while pregnant in most cases.

As an expectant mother, I breastfed my toddler until halfway through my pregnancy. Whether you can keep going depends on more than just safety.

Ask yourself:

• Does pregnancy affect your milk production?
• Do you have the energy to continue breastfeeding?
• Is it painful to breastfeed?
• Do you want to keep breastfeeding your toddler after birth?

These questions can help you decide how to manage breastfeeding during pregnancy. For me, stopping night feeds early in pregnancy helped me get better rest. Read along as I share my tips about sleeping through the night in a bit.

Chaos Control: Keeping Your Home Sane(ish)

But first let’s talk chaos control. For me, keeping the house reasonably tidy and clean during the first trimester was very important. I’m actually writing a whole blog post about how to do this. Having a tidy home helped reduce both the literal chaos and the chaos in my head.

But more than just staying on top of the basics, here’s something that might help you:

9. Use any nesting energy to declutter the entire home and prepare for the new baby.

Having nesting energy was a good way for me to get the house ready for the new sibling. Nesting often means buying new things and getting everything ready, but honestly, getting rid of stuff might be better this time. You probably already have most things you need. Making space for a new human in your home can help in the long run.

Try to involve older kids in nesting and cleaning as much as possible. That way, you get more done. If your child plays nicely, that gives you a little room to go through a drawer or two here and there.

Sleeping Through the Night (Or Not)

Now about the sleeping through the night. Let’s not beat around the bush here…

10. Sleep train your older child.

Pregnancy is a good reason and motivator to sleep train your older child. However you want to do it – getting enough hours of sleep at night is very important during pregnancy. In the third trimester, I usually sleep worse and worse as time goes on. Sleeplessness is also a common pregnancy symptom. The last thing you want is to be woken up many times at night by your toddler.

Preparing Your Toddler for a New Sibling

Let me start with this: your toddler cannot really be prepared for a new sibling. I mean, were you prepared to be a mom the first time? Even though I understood what pregnancy and birth meant, being a mom hit me like a rock! So don’t expect your toddler to fully understand their new role as big brother or big sister.

However, there are many sweet things you can do with your toddler to get ready for the new baby.

11. Learn words like belly and baby.
One lovely thing for me and my toddler was learning words about the new baby. For my young toddler, words like belly, baby, and mommy were great. I taught her to point to the belly when we asked where the baby was. She felt so proud when she got it right.

12. Teach your toddler to kiss the belly.
Another thing I loved was teaching her to kiss the baby in the belly. It was the sweetest when she did it in public and got all the warm smiles and attention from others.

I actually wrote a whole blog post about how to prepare your toddler for their new role. It has tips about big sibling books, toys, and handling their questions. For now, try to enjoy the idea of a new family member with your toddler!

When You Just Need a Break

As sweet as they can be at times, sometimes you just want to be without your toddler for a second. Taking breaks as a mom is very important, especially during pregnancy. But taking breaks with your toddler — instead of from them — can be a relief too.

13. Take breaks with your toddler.

Take your toddler outside for a walk in the stroller. Listen to your favorite podcast and enjoy the fresh air. Bake cookies together, then enjoy a break eating them with a cup of tea. See your antenatal appointments as family time when dad and toddler join you. Meeting the new baby together makes those moments special. Looking at simple things this way can help you rest from the hustle and tiredness of pregnancy.

14. Take a break from your toddler every couple of weeks.

But let me be clear: a real break from your toddler can also work wonders. Even if it’s just once every couple of weeks, try to find a babysitter. Getting a few hours of intentional time off is something you can really look forward to. Read along as I share one final thought about surviving pregnancy with a toddler around.

Final Thoughts: It’s a Hard Phase, Not a Hard Life

I can’t let you go without saying the one thing everyone says all the time: it’s just a phase. Think back to your first pregnancy. When you were in the thick of it, you thought it would never end. And now, here you are — pregnant with a second baby! Being a pregnant woman is very special. It probably won’t happen many times in your life.

15. Don’t pressure yourself to enjoy everything: try to find gratefulness.

If you can find little things to enjoy, try to be grateful for having a second baby. Maybe you’re having a great time, and maybe you wish it would be over quickly. Either way, you are blessed with another tiny human growing inside you. Someone who will be beside you — and even more so beside your older child — for the rest of their lives! You can do this, and believe me, you will find ways to enjoy it from time to time.

What are you struggling most with during pregnancy with a toddler? Share it in the comments, I would love to read all about it!