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AIBU?

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Baby can’t nap while siblings are home

83 replies

hometohoneys · 04/01/2026 11:54

I have a 14 month who usually has a morning nap and an afternoon one but while her siblings are off school it’s impossible to get her to sleep, so she is in a constant state of tired/over tired and unhappy, they are constantly up and down to the toilet to retrieve a toy, calling me at the top of their voice or just noisy and she is really tired but each time she goes for a nap she’s woken up immediately.
They wake her up in the morning by bursting into our room early, she’s in the next room but bouncing along the landing and opening our door wakes her every time and even if they stay up a bit later in the holidays she can’t sleep because again they are up and down to the toilet or screech and she’s awake.
There’s only a year difference between the older two but while one of them is considerate and tries to be quiet the other just couldn’t care less.
I really don’t know what to do anymore as she doesn’t sleep in her pushchair anymore and will only nap in her cot.
AIBU to think they could be quiet and let her sleep or are they right not to give a toss and ignore me because it’s not their problem.
They are 8 and 10.

OP posts:
NewPinkJacket · 04/01/2026 12:01

If you think there's a possibility they might be right in being disobedient and not giving a toss, it's no surprise you have a problem.

They need consequences and if they don't work, you need to up the consequences until they do.

Much like anything they may choose to be disobedient about.

CherieBabySpliffUp · 04/01/2026 12:00

Re constantly going upstairs to get toys...while she's napping, that doesn't happen. They have to cope with what toys they have available downstairs. It sounds like you need to have consequences in place for when they wake her. I'm sure they can work quietly in school when told to so they can at home.

NuffSaidSam · 04/01/2026 12:00

At eight and ten they should be able to sit still and be quiet.

For whichever nap is usually longer I would instill a house wide 'quiet time'. Everyone goes to the toilet beforehand, gets what they need from upstairs and is thereon confined to the living room. They can choose a movie and sit and watch it quietly (whilst also colouring/doing Lego etc).

I would be giving clear and tangible consequences for waking the baby and following through every time.

Matilda1981 · 04/01/2026 12:00

I think there are 2 points to consider here - one, I think maybe the baby possibly doesn’t need 2 naps and therefore isn’t tired enough to sleep very well for either nap, and two, your older children are old enough to know how to be quiet ish so as not to wake the baby up!!

FrothyCothy · 04/01/2026 11:58

Would a white noise machine drown out some of their racket?

BitchezBePretty · 04/01/2026 11:57

An 8 and a 10 year old are more than capable of being quiet enough to not wake a baby.

grinchmcgrinchface · 04/01/2026 11:55

Take them out for a long walk, she will eventually fall asleep in her pram and you get to tire the older two out, win win.

Mrsclausemunchingonamincepie · 04/01/2026 11:55

What consequences do they get for waking the baby?

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