It’s all about working with the toddler’s schedule (since it’s the one that’s been established). And keeping him contained while you’re dealing with your youngest. After all, a toddler can toddle away while a newborn is fairly immobile. And you have far fewer meltdowns if you consistently run errands at a time when your oldest will be least cranky (like just after his nap, with food in his belly. And while we’re on the subject, It’s also best to feed your youngest as close to the time you leave as possible.)

My DS1 is usually penned up in a child-proofed area (our playroom) while I move DS2 to the garage in his carseat. Then I get DS1, open the garage and load him up before going back to the garage and getting DS2, loading him up and getting on our way.

I do wear DS2 if we’re going to be anywhere for very long and either load DS1 into a grocery cart or the stroller. If we’re going somewhere where there won’t be much walking involved, and where it will be safe for DS1 to explore or he will be fairly contained (i.e., pediatrician’s office, getting him a haircut), I keep DS2 in the carseat and just carry DS1 (And the carseat, It’s a bit of a workout…) until we get in where we’re going.

Whether or not DS1 will be in a cart/stroller determines who I get out of the car first. If he is, then I get him out first and settled before I strap on DS2. (The key at the grocery store is to always park by the stall where carts are returned so there will be a cart for you to load right by your car and you don’t have to worry about how to return it after your babies are loaded back up). If we are sans cart/stroller, I get the carseat out first and put it on the ground while I’m unloading DS1.

I haven’t had an issue with changing. Honestly, I don’t seem to need to do it while running errands very often. My DS2 usually sleeps through the errands, being lulled by the motion of the car and being carried when I wear him. And I change them both right before we leave, so they’re usually both fine until we get back. I should probably say that I try to stick to one errand a day, and try to make sure that it doesn’t last for more than 1 1/2 hrs. Best not to test the patience of tiny ones.

It’s what’s worked for me, and I hope it helps. I do have one last piece of advice: The earlier you get out there, the better. I’m of the philosophy that it’s easier to learn how to run errands with two, when the youngest has relatively fewer needs. The older they get, the more alert they are. And when they’re alert, they have more demands. The sooner you get out there, the easier it will be to grow together and ease into the time when they’ll both be toddlers!

Cheers,
AMP