Preparing For A Second Baby When You Already Have A Toddler

Wondering how to prepare for second baby with a toddler? If you’ve found yourself Googling this at 3 a.m. while a half-eaten waffle stales on your coffee table and your toddler serenades herself to sleep with “Let It Go,” welcome. You’re in good company.

This isn’t your first rodeo, but that doesn’t mean it’s not a whole new circus. You’re not just prepping for another baby; you’re also navigating how to keep your toddler emotionally steady, logistically occupied, and hopefully not feeding the dog crayons while you’re changing diapers.

This guide for having a second baby with a toddler isn’t about doing everything perfectly. It’s about preparing for the chaos just enough to make space for the joy. From bonding tips to bedtime hacks, we’ve got you covered.

How to Deal With a Toddler Acting Out After Baby Arrives

Toddler acting out after new baby? It’s more common than coffee spills, and trust us, you're not alone. Your toddler’s world just got flipped upside down. One minute, they’re the star of the show. The next? They’re sharing their spotlight (and snack budget) with a tiny newcomer.

Here’s how to deal with toddler jealous of new baby without losing your mind:

• Stay consistent with routines. Toddlers thrive on structure, even if you don’t remember what day it is.

• Pick your battles (and skip the ones involving the wrong-colored cup).

• Let them “help” with baby tasks: passing wipes, singing lullabies, or “reading” to the baby during tummy time.

Tantrums are hard, but with patience and a little creative thinking, you can keep your toddler feeling loved.

Best Books to Introduce Toddler to New Baby

Before the baby arrives, one of the gentlest ways to help your toddler understand what’s coming? Storytime.

Books help toddlers process big transitions without the pressure of real life. They can laugh, ask questions, and get curious.

Here are a few top picks if you’re looking for the best books to introduce toddler to new baby:

• I’m a Big Sister / I’m a Big Brother by Joanna Cole

• Hello in There! by Jo Witek

• You Were the First by Patricia MacLachlan

• The New Baby by Mercer Mayer

Gift for Toddler From New Baby: Making the Introduction Sweeter

Want to soften the blow of “You’re no longer the only child”? Enter: the gift for toddler from new baby. It doesn’t have to be expensive or flashy; the magic is in the gesture.

Here are a few gifts for toddler from new baby ideas that hit the mark:

• Kid-friendly camera: let your toddler get in on baby’s debut by taking “first sibling photos” with a simple digital or kid-proof camera, like the KidZoom from VTech. 

• Matching sibling robes: sweet, cozy, and helps them see they’re part of the sibling team.  My 1st Years offers a particularly adorable set.

• Busy bag of quiet goodies: a little pouch filled with stickers, mini puzzles, coloring pages, or a small toy set can be a lifesaver during those first hospital visits. Check out this article from Knoxville Moms for further ideas. 

Present it when they meet the baby. Even better, have the baby “give” it to them at the hospital. It’s a small trick that can go a long way in making them feel special and included from the start.

How to Introduce Toddler to New Baby in Hospital

Let’s set the scene: You’re in a gown, holding a burrito-sized human, and your toddler is walking in wide-eyed, possibly holding a balloon the size of a beach ball.

Here’s how to introduce toddler to new baby in hospital without turning it into a drama:

• Make sure you greet your toddler first. You’re their safe place, and they’ve missed you.

• Have the baby in the bassinet, not in your arms, so your toddler doesn’t feel immediately displaced.

• Keep things short and sweet. Toddlers don’t have the stamina (or volume control) for long hospital hangs.

Bring snacks. Bring a gift. Bring your patience. And remember: even if they react by asking when the baby’s going back to the store, it’s totally normal.

First Few Weeks With Newborn and Toddler

Welcome to the juggle: first few weeks with newborn and toddler might feel like time is folding in on itself. Days blur. Naps don’t sync. You forget what hot coffee tastes like. But nestled in the chaos are tiny, golden moments of magic.

What helps:

• Lowering your expectations. Like… really low. Frozen waffles-for-dinner low.

• Accepting help, wherever it comes from (yes, even your mother-in-law).

• Creating mini rituals for your toddler: morning cuddles, snacktime picnics, or silly songs that are just for them.

And when things get hard (because they will), remind yourself this season is short, even if the days feel endless.

Do You Really Need a Double Stroller for Newborn and Toddler?

When you’re juggling a baby in one arm and a snack-demanding toddler in the other, a double stroller for newborn and toddler can feel less like a luxury and more like a lifeline. It keeps your hands free, your pace semi-normal, and your children (mostly) contained.

But not all double strollers are created equal. The Bēbee Twin is designed for exactly this kind of two-kid hustle. It comes ready to roll with everything you need from day one, infant-ready features for the new arrival, and a roomy ride for your busy toddler. It even folds up one-handed, so you can collapse it while still holding your latte (or, you know, your child).

Whether you’re walking, multitasking, or just trying to keep both kids happy in the same 10-square-foot radius, the right stroller makes a difference. Especially when it doesn’t take a wrestling match to pack it up.

Still Feeling Overwhelmed With Toddler and Newborn?

Hey, deep breath. Feeling overwhelmed with toddler and newborn isn’t a failure, it’s just the forecast for this season of life. You’re doing something incredibly hard: loving two tiny humans with your whole heart and half your sleep.

Ask for help (yes, really). Text a friend who gets it. Let screen time save the day when it needs to. And please don’t compare your behind-the-scenes chaos to someone else’s curated highlight reel.

This phase is messy, loud, and strangely beautiful. You don’t have to love every moment, but you will find your rhythm. And until then? We’ve got you.

And if you’re figuring out how to prepare for second baby with a toddler, don’t forget to check out our full breakdown of what belongs on a second baby registry. We’ve got you covered with what you actually need and what you can skip this time around.