How the hell did you cope with 3 under 3.5?

[Thegildedone]

Eldest DS is 3.5, then DD1 who is 2. Then DD2 who is 6 weeks.

DS has just started pre school and is bringing home a bug every week which we all get. DD2 is waking every two hours through the night. DD1 wakes when either one of the others wakes as she gets disturbed really easily.

I am getting 1-2 hours of sleep every 24 on a good night. On a night when one or all are ill - nothing. Then there are the nights where they’re better and i’ve caught it. How can I make this easier for myself?

I already have help during the day. Of course baby DD has to be with me all the time as I am EBF. Twice a week I have help with a night nanny at night with baby DD who brings her to me for feeds. But inevitably those nights I am up with the other DC.

I can’t see when this is going to get easier. Is there anything I am not doing? Some secret?

I know this isn’t helpful but surely when you had 2 under 2 you had some sort of an idea of what 3 under 4 would be like? I have no advice, just don’t understand how you can have 3 kids in 3.5 years and then turn round and say “oh this ain’t easy, can anyone help?”.

At one point in had a 3.5 year old, a 19 month old and a newborn.
It is still like a tough mudder challenge almost a year on.

I have had about the same amount of sleep you are on now for most do this time.
I actually have thought I was going mad sometimes tripping on tiredness.
All I would say is you have to just hang on in there. Now my eldest is at school, the middle one is at nursery four mornings a week and I have family help nearby for things like pick ups and drops off since we have moved.
I take any help I’m offered
I now sleep when the baby sleeps whenever I can even if that means leaving the house in a total shit tip

Try and make even just five minutes a day for a hot drink, sitting and looking out of the window.

Sorry not great tips I suspect but wanted to let you know I am survivor of what you’re doing now.
When the baby starts weaning then crawling fingers crossed that helps

How helpful @MaryBoBary

I've got 2 under 2, some days are good.. some days are bad. Apparently it gets easier!

Mary that was a bit harsh!

OP - do you have a partner? Could he be responsible for the older ones once a week - maybe a Friday if he works?

Can night nanny not deal with ALL kids on one night a week?

Do you express BM for baby?

How are you getting so little sleep?

Can you go to bed when they do? Do you struggle to go back to sleep when they wake, or do they?

I had x3 under 2. It was hell. No getting away from it. But it does pass so I'd remind myself that 'this too will pass' on a very regular basis.

I did 3 under 2 - looking back, 9 years on, it's all a blur but we made it through

Swop the night nanny for a mother's help a few hours each day?

Mary you know if you can’t say something nice perhaps say nothing?

I am now wondering if it’s surviver or survivor in my initial post. No brain remains .......

Don't hold back @MaryBoBary

I had 3 unde 2! Could the night nanny settle the older child when they wake up at night too? Can you express for one nighttime feed? Can you nap during the day when you have help?

I did all of these. Also ear plugs when night nanny was there.

Sorry, didn’t mean to be rude but it is a bit obvious really, and OP says she has help during the day so I’m not sure what she is expecting??

There’s a growth spurt at 6 weeks so sleep will be particularly bad at the moment.

I agree with Mary, it’s tough right now but it was expected