Mum of four, midwife, and founder of One Mama Midwife—a hub for antenatal and caesarean classes—Lauren Brenton, is about as qualified as it gets when it comes to wrangling toddlers. She may be familiar with the highs, but she’s all over the daily struggles too—and, most importantly, how to tackle them.
As a midwife and mum, Brenton spotted an info gap for parents after they hit the six-week mark. She was keen to help parents feel confident, creating One Mama Midwife to share "evidence-based advice that extends beyond the newborn stage."
To get Brenton's expert insight on everything from quick change tips to secrets for reducing skin irritation, we teamed up with Huggies—keeping babies snug and dry with up to 12 hours of leakage protection—to share the hacks every toddler parent needs to know.
Trust Your Gut
For Brenton, the biggest challenge toddler parents face is the volume of info out there on what’s “normal” for toddlers. “Deep down, you know exactly what’s best for your toddler”, says Brenton. “Listening to that will help you navigate all of the different challenges that come up.”
Parents are flooded with conflicting information and different opinions from just about everywhere and everyone. “This massive influx of information can confuse parents and make them believe that they are doing things wrong,” says Brenton. The answer? Block out the noise, and trust your gut.
Distraction Is Key During Nappy Changes
Nappy changes can be a struggle for many parents—toddlers transform into expert escape artists as soon as a baby wipe comes their way. “Distracting them is the best way to avoid alligator wrestling at nappy changes,” says Brenton. Her suggestion? Try talking, playing a game, singing, or giving your toddler a “special job” to keep them entertained and make them feel included.
When it comes to nappy changes, Brenton also notes that toddler skin is very sensitive, so try looking for nappies and wipes that are fragrance-free, hypoallergenic, free from harsh chemicals, and made from breathable materials.
Give A Little, Gain A Lot
If your toddler is resisting or refusing a nappy change, feed, or anything else, it can help to give them some choice. “I find that refusals with toddlers often come down to them wanting independence and some control,” says Brenton.
For Brenton, Asking your toddler if they want to have their nappy changed before or after play, or if they’d like to lie down or stand up, can help them feel like they have the power. By giving in to small changes or requests, you might find you gain a little of your all-too-precious time and energy back.
Replace Nap Time With Quiet Time
The transition out of regular naps can be tough—especially when your toddler is ready, but you know it’s going to be a struggle when they get tired. “If your toddler is refusing naps, taking longer to fall asleep or staying up late because they’re not tired, then it’s probably a sign to drop the nap,” says Brenton.
This can be easier said than done, so Brenton suggests replacing nap time with one-on-one time reading or engaging in quiet play to keep things nice and calm.
Work Together On Tantrums
“I think understanding that tantrums are often because your toddler is struggling to regulate their big emotions can make them easier to manage,” says Brenton.
Try keeping your cool, getting down to the toddler’s level, validating their feelings, and giving them the tools to calm down themselves (like breathing exercises). Then, talk about the problem together and make a plan that works for everyone.
Pick Your Battles
Brenton's golden piece of advice for toddler parents? Pick your battles. “Not everything needs to be a power struggle,” says Brenton. “As long as safety isn’t at question, let them wear their mismatched socks or eat the apple before dinner.”
Finding the balance between having rules and allowing a little chaos will make everyone's life easier. “There's so much beauty in the chaos of the toddler years,” says Brenton. Enjoying it should be the priority—and if that means letting a few superhero costumes at the supermarket slide, then let them slide.
Ready to try out some of Brenton's hacks for yourself? Get started at the change table with Huggies Rapid Dry™ technology, which goes from wet to dry in 10 seconds. Find Huggies Ultra Dry Nappy Pants in your supermarket's nappy aisle.
Editor’s note: This article is sponsored by Huggies and proudly endorsed by The Urban List. To find out more about who we work with and why read our editorial policy here.
Images: Supplied