Sample Daily Routine for 2 Yr Old and New Baby??

My son was 16.5 months old when I brought my daughter home. I basically put him to work doing little things for me like getting a diaper, carrying the diaper baggie to the trash, helping put away toys, etc. He loved it because I think it made him feel like he was my partner and helped diffuse any "new baby jealousy". I am a former teacher so I actually went out and purchase a lesson plan book and started planning our day, hour by hour, the way I would have for my class. In the morning we would make beds, do a load of laundry (my son loves to put pillows on the bed, put dirty clothes in the hamper and put the clean, wet clothes in the dryer, etc.) We would have breakfast and then go for a walk and play in our backyard for awhile. My daughter would mostly sleep during all of this time. We would listen to music or do an art activity and have some play time indoors, have a play date or go to an activity outside of our home-like Gymboree or PE 101. By then it was time for lunch. I moved my son's bath time to right after lunch because it was relaxing for him. He would have a bottle of milk after this while I fed my daughter and then they would both sleep from 1-3pm or so. It really helped make our day run smoothly and my son transitioned from being an only child to being a big brother really well. Now both of my kids are great playmates (they occasionally have a fight, but it is rare) and they do help me keep our house in order as well. Hope this helps and congrats on your new baby!
A.

The new baby should be sleeping alot, the 1 1/2 yo should be taking one decent sized nap every day...make sure the baby and toddler do that nap together so you have some "you time". The baby is entirely portable, so anything you've been doing with the other one, keep it up. I like to get out part of the day. You could for ex, get up do breakfast, let baby have 1st nap of the day then go out and go to a playground, maybe pack a lunch. Then come back by 1 pm. Toddler should take a long nap, same time as baby. You can take a nap too! Then relaxing play around the house, dinner. Then baths and bedtime. I have 3 kids - a 4 month old, 4 yo and 5 yo. Here's our schedule:

The baby usually wakes up at 6:30 am or so. I feed him, play with him in bed. Then the girls wake up around 7. We relax in bed, play with baby. He goes down for his first nap usually 8 - 9:30 am. The girls and I usually do activity books, coloring at the table etc while he is napping. Or sometimes I let them watch tv.Then he wakes up, I feed him again, change dipe etc, play with him. He is back down for nap #2 by 11 am. Usually till 2. Then feed, change again. During this time the girls play in the yard if it is nice or inside if not. Or we pack the baby up and we all go out somewhere like the childrens museum or a playground or something and he sleeps in the stroller. We'll bring lunch with us, which is easier, less clean up at home. My 4 yo still naps from 3 - 5 usually. Not every day but basically every other day. 5 yo will rest and read books in her bed for an hour. The baby takes a catnap from 4:30 to 5 generally. We have dinner around 6 pm. Then I give the baby a bath and the girls help me with that. Then they take their bath while I nurse the baby in his room and put him in bed by 7. I come back in the bathroom and help the girls finish their bath. (Obviously you can't do this, your toddler is too young but you could maybe let her sit with you while you feed baby, and read her a story? And you could possibly bathe them together if you have a large infant tub....Or you can put her in the bathtub and wash the baby in the sink in the bathroom so you are still watching the toddler.
Anyways. Then we brush teeth, get in PJs brush hair and snuggle in my bed for stories. And in bed lights out by 8. Next week school starts and we have to leave the house at 8 sharp, so our mornings will be alot tighter!!
Good luck! Feel free to pm me on any points. I love having a routine with the kids, and going out places. It makes things go quicker.

Well the first couple months it is hard to combine their efforts but after that it gets a lot easier! My son was born one week after my daughter turned 2 so I feel you! The baby really won't have a routine so just go with your daughter's routine when you can. I started bathing my kids together when my son could sit up, well maybe before that actually but probably not before about 3-4 months. They didn't get on the same nap schedule until about 5 months either. A tip I got from some one else which really helped me was that if you have to tend to your daughter, tell the baby that you need to put him down and spend time with his sister for a while. Your son won't care what you're saying and it will send a message to big sis that she's still important. Good luck! The first 6 months are tough but it's all worth it!

My baby is now two months old and I have 2.5 year old twins. I've kept the boys on their same schedule for feedings and naps. The baby is fed on demand, and somehow we've gotten her on the same nap schedule. She takes a 3 hour nap when the boys nap. Consistency for your two year old is important, otherwise she might feel pushed aside for the baby. As for things like baths, I don't do baths every night, and I also don't bathe all three on the same night. My husband takes the boys and bathes them. I take care of her. But, really, bathing a newborn is so fast and easy it won't be much of a problem.

Congrats and good luck!

feeding time for the baby .....is project/activity time for the 2yo - puzzles, coloring, etc - all work to keep the 2yo occupied. Legos & other busy work is also perfect. If you notice it's close to meal/snack time, then do that!

naptime for the baby.....is team time for you & your 2yo. Actively teach something educational or work as a team doing housework. Or nap together!

By combining/timing daily activities, you will accomplish so much more & your 2yo will not feel left out or be at loose ends. It's amazingly easy once you get in the groove. Good Luck!

I've done this before and am still scared and dreading how to figure out doing it again. My son will be 1 in November and we are due in Feb. I am really hoping that we can do at least the afternoon nap, meals (once the baby is on solids) and bathtime/bedtime at the same time. i know it's possible, My older 3 kids are 11, 10 and 8. The biggest thing that I remember is respecting my oldest child's routine, and doing my best to respect the baby's needs while fitting him (her) into the schedule. Good luck.