Newborn + toddler sleeps

[Nomnomhiccup]

Hi, I'm sorry I don't actually have a larger family (although feels that way at times), but hoping some of you super parents with larger families can share your experience/knowledge with me.
So I have new baby who is now 8weeks old and older child who is now 20months.
Toddler is working on throwing the best tantrum so practicing all day long, well apart from practicing trying to fly by climbing on everything and diving off and the baby will only sleep on me.

All similar threads on new babies not going down for naps without instantly waking are met with the advice of enjoy the cuddles and watch boxsets etc which is exactly what I did with my first but can't with a toddler to care for. I do carry in a sling to get stuff done etc which I did with first as well but sometimes it's not practical to have baby strapped on me all day. I have a bad knee so bending them is very painful but with baby on my front I can't bend my body over to get down to toddler level.

So hit me with suggestions of how and where your 2nd plus newborns slept in the day.

Thanks

[sleepismysuperpower1]

quite often i resorted to putting newborn in the pram, and going on a walk. we went to the park, so my toddler could let off steam while baby slept. when it was raining i would still try and get out the house, sometimes by the bus (which my toddler really enjoyed- once we just went round in a big loop and she was happy) and sometimes by car.

good luck and all the best x

[Goinonabearhuntt]

Watching this thread as I’m in the same position!

[Elllicam]

I used a play box with toys the toddler could only play with during naps. I also used to get them both to sleep on the bed with me and watch box sets :)

[Aprilislonggone]

Older dc to school, then off walking with toddler and baby. Didn't take long to sync sleeps!! Used to walk to local shopping centre, get a cuppa + and read a magazine, then off home!! Toddler loved 'helping' with laundry so managed that chore easy enough! Never used a sling tbh, incidents of clattering the poor baby whilst trying to get stuff done!!

[Nomnomhiccup]

Baby sleeps after only being awake about and hr whereas toddler only sleeps once a day. I did attempt out in pram yesterday but both just screamed, baby to be held and toddler wanted to walk - was very stressful.

I don't want to use sling all the time for that reason @Aprilislonggone I worry about baby getting bumped, but now it they or sitting down with baby in my arms.

[Namechangemum100]

I have a 20 month old and a 6 month old.

When Ds was the same age as your lo I bought a self rocking chair, and would swaddle, put in chair, play womb music from my iPhone and he would settle there. If DD needed settling at the same time I used a baby monitor camera to keep an eye on him whilst dealing with her.

Now that he is older he is in a routine where he goes in his cot for naps, or out and about in the car.

Hope that helps!

[Namechangemum100]

This is the rocker

Fisher-Price FWX18 Auto Rock-N-Play Sleeper, New-Born Baby Rocker and Bouncers with Music and Sounds, Suitable from Birth www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0767FYBB7/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_oVe2BbMCQ1RPP?tag=mumsnet&ascsubtag=mnforum-21

It's pricey...but for us it has been worth its weight in gold for sure.

[Nomnomhiccup]

@namechangemum100 how long did your baby use it. It is pricey not sure I can talk dh to buying one.

[Namechangemum100]

We used it pretty much constantly until he was about 5 months. We only stopped because he got strong enough to flip over in it.

Having said that though, we still use it slot for him to sit in during the day. It has a great seating position where it is slightly upright so he can comfortably look around.

He also had reflux and the seating position was great for this also.

[Skylucy]

Following as I'm now overdue with baby #2 and have a 20 month DD. She only ever slept on me so yes, I watched a lot of boxsets while pinned to the sofa too - happy days! Really worried about life with a similar newborn and a lively toddler. Lots of my pals had childcare for the eldest (nursery/childminder etc), but this isn't an option for me, and DH is out of the house 12 hours a day.

Solidarity OP, hope you find some good solutions.

[Nomnomhiccup]

Thanks @namechangemum100.

Good luck with your pending arrival @skylucy. I'm getting by holding baby it just gets tough at times but it'd doable.

[Mrsharper88]

I am in the same boat with a two and a half year old and 2 week old! DP isn't back at work yet but will be very soon so I am watching this thread with interest.

I've got a feeding bag full of treats and books that I am hoping will entertain DS whilst I feed. My baby sounds like yours and will only settle or sleep on me so I don't know how I'm going to manage in between feeds. I have a sling for when we go out and about (baby won't settle in the pram) but I don't think it's very practical for doing activities around the house as well as it damaging my back!

We can do this! Xx

[EmmaJR1]

I have a 4 month old and a 17 month old.

The living room is baby proofed within an inch of its life and all the toys are in there. My daughter (4mo) naps on me or a baby bean bag and my son has free reign of the room.

It's the only way I've managed because neither of my kids liked those swingy chairs!

[Nomnomhiccup]

My baby had 2 naps in sling today and admittedly is a massive help even just to do the dishes or hoover the floor but it's ideal when I actually want to do something with my 1yo. I seem to either be feeding, changing or holding through sleep it's tough going when dh is at work and I need to feed, change and put down for naps my toddler. I really hope as baby gets older and has more structured naps will go down better.

[HereForTheLineEyes]

15 months between my youngest two. I would take advantage of cheap toddler mornings in soft play centres, or sometimes mums and tots groups (I found one or two church ran ones that I liked).

It meant that toddler DD could run around and burn off all her energy in a safe environment. I can relax with a coffee and baby. Almost all of the time DD would be knackered come home time and ready for a big long nap and would fall asleep in the car home. Most of the time the baby would take a nap too for at least some of this time.

Even if the rest of the day went a bit pear-shaped it was nice to know DD had had a good run around and got out and about, it killed a good few hours and I got to drink coffee.