“It’s a constant juggling act”: Anna Robards on parenting a newborn and a toddler
“Elle has been an amazing big sister… but there was a questionable, one-off moment”
Anna and Tim Robards have come a long way since meeting on the first season of The Bachelor in 2013.
After tying the knot in 2018, they welcomed their daughter, Elle Robards, into the world in November, 2020. Recently, they joyfully announced the arrival of their second daughter, Ruby, born in March, 2024.
In an exclusive interview with Bounty Parents, the 36yo former SAS Australia star opens up on life with a newborn and a toddler, how Elle is coping with her new role as big sister and the importance of taking time-out for herself.
Congratulations on Ruby’s arrival. How are you?
I’m doing better than I thought I would. Many people were in my ear saying that going from one child to two is hard and that I’ll struggle. I’m not saying it’s easy, but you’re already prepared (to a degree) because you’ve done it before. Like most parents, you have your good days and your bad. I’m taking Ruby in as much as possible because I know how quickly it will go.
Managing a newborn and a 3yo must be… busy? How are you finding life with a newborn and a 3yo?
Hectic! It’s a constant juggling act, and it feels like as soon as you have your life sorted with your first, you must start from scratch to get to that point. Tim and I have the communication down pack, and we always try to take time for ourselves as we know what the importance of self-care can do for your mental health. We’ve got a good balance going on.
I bet Elle is loving being a big sister. How’s she adjusting to her new role?
Elle has been an amazing big sister. I didn’t know how she would be, but she surprised me and has been very impressive. There was a questionable moment when I had put Ruby down to sleep in the back room. When I came back to check on her, there was a huge pillow over her face. That was a one-off, and normally Elle acts like her mother and will help me change her nappy occasionally.
Juggling the needs of both a newborn and a toddler can be tricky. Have you found any activities to keep them both happy and entertained?
As you can imagine, Elle is a lot more active than Ruby. All Ruby likes to do at the moment is sleep and eat. We plan our day around Ruby’s feeds and get out of the house when Ruby is sleeping so we can focus on Elle and the activities she likes to do. We have a new pram (Redsbaby) that accommodates both girls, so we go on lots of walks together as a family.
Kids will always make us laugh. Any recent moments that have had you and Tim giggling?
Elle continually makes us and everyone laugh. Everything she says is funny. Most recently, when I picked her up from daycare the other day, as soon as we left, she said, “Hey Siri, set an outdoor walk,” which is what Tim always says. Kids are definitely sponges that absorb everything. So we have to watch what we say.
Nursery essentials are a must – what are some baby items you’ve found useful?
My number one nursery essential would be nappies. I have used Huggies nappies since I had Elle, so it was a no-brainer I’d use them again with Ruby. When you find products that work and you trust, you end up sticking with them.
With the weather cooling down, are you thinking about how to keep Ruby snug and warm?
I love a winter wardrobe and getting the little ones all rugged up and warm to battle the cold! There are so many cute pieces for babies and kids. A little tip – be careful of layering up too much, as it can increase the likelihood of skin irritation.
The cooler weather can also impact our skin. What are your skincare tips for winter for you and your little ones?
I am always conscious of what I put on my skin as I have extremely sensitive skin and feel the effects when I don’t use the right products. When it comes to newborns, you want to get it right because newborn skin is up to 30% thinner than adult skin; I’m conscious about what I use and put on Ruby’s skin.
Expert advice for taking care of your newborn’s delicate skin this winter
With winter on the horizon, parents are naturally wrapping their bubs in extra layers to fight off the brisk chill in the air. But while those layers might help mask the cold, they can also mask skin irritation and rashes.
Huggies has teamed up with paediatric dermatologist, Dr Deshan Sebaratnam to share a few simple baby skincare tips to get your bub through the colder months, and protect against skin irritation.
Use gentle products and bathe less
If your baby is prone to dry skin, you may want to reduce the frequency of baths during the winter months. Try to limit baths to every other day, or even less frequently if your baby’s skin is very sensitive.
Bathing is still an essential time to bond with your newborn and provide relaxation to your bub. When you do take on bath time, use a mild, soap-free, fragrance-free baby wash or cleanser. Gently massage the cleanser onto your baby’s skin to help clean the skin, especially around the nappy area.
Bathe your baby in a lukewarm bath for no longer than 5 minutes, then use a soft towel to pat your baby’s skin till it’s dry.
Regular, fuss-free moisturising is best
During the winter months, baby skin can become dry and prone to irritation.
Moisturising can help maintain your newborn’s skin hydration and protect against dryness. When it comes to moisturising, the best time is right after a bath to lock in moisture.
Often the simplest, least fancy moisturisers are the best. What you want is a bland, greasy moisturiser with minimal preservatives or fragrances, free of food products.
Invest in a good quality nappy
Babies are often bundled up in layers of clothing during winter to keep warm, meaning nappy changes take a little longer. To help minimise the need for frequent, lengthy changes, I’d suggest investing in a good quality nappy that pulls wetness away from the skin and keeps irritants from urine and faeces at bay.
For example, Huggies Newborn Nappies have a zinc-enriched layer* clinically proven to help protect baby’s skin against irritation and trusted absorbency with up to 12 hours leakage protection.
*Contains zinc as zinc oxide. This claim is based on a clinical study conducted at an independent laboratory, using adult skin as a suitable substitute for baby skin. Results showed significantly less irritation when using Huggies® Zinc Enriched layer vs control.
