Two year old and three month old - any tips?

[orderinformation]

Often have to do bedtime alone. Ds, 3 months, is hungry and grouchy in the evenings. Dd wants cuddles. Ds cries when not being held. All a bit of nightmare. Please help...

[lazzaroo]

Afraid I don't have answer butam in similar situation. Have 3month & 3 year old. Also often alone at bedtime. Feel guilty that DD2 doesn't have proper bedtime routine & just fits around DD1.

She seems to be getting herself into habit of having late catnap about 5.30. Then last feed at 6.30, asleep by 7.30. This does mean everything happening at once as DD1 goes to bed at 7. Was on my own tonight, DD2 fed while DD1 watched Ben & Holly & then fell asleep in my arms as I rocked her while reading stories! It's a bit chaotic but hopefully it'll work itself out!

[lazzaroo]

Oh, and when I posted on here about this a while ago lots f people suggested a sling. I bought one but DD didn't like it & so it's never been used! Might be the sort of thing to help you? I did by a second hand swing though & that'sbeen really helpful. It rocks itself so she's usually happy in there if I need hands free.

[sara11272]

I had a similar situation (21 mth old DS when my DT girls were born). I often had to do bedtime alone and it was a nightmare! Things that helped me, from memory:

Bouncy chair for baby/ies to sit in while others are in the bath, with a rattle/toy
Selection of toys for older one in bedroom/bathroom (wherever you dry and feed baby) that you can 'play' with with them (eg dolls/cars where they can play and you can join in by chatting) while sorting out the baby
Get older one to 'help' by passing nappies/cream etc even if it's not actually helpful! - makes them feel like they have a role when you're busy with baby
Mobile/black and white books in cot or Moses basket for baby to look at while you're cuddling/reading to etc older one

And it's awful but sometimes you have to accept that someone will be crying..I used to think that as long as it wasn't all three at once I was winning :)

Also like to add that mine are now 6 and 4 and dredging all this up makes me realise what a long time ago it feels! - it does feel like a nightmare at the time but it gets easier quite quickly. Good luck.