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Original poster

Sleeping arrangements

43 replies

DuploMum · 05/02/2023 14:49

Posting here for traffic as it seems to get more response!

2 bed house, two DS 3 and 18m. Not sharing yet as cot fits fine in our room.

Want to get them sharing but realistically both still wake in the night at one point.

3rd DC is due in August. I'm wondering whether I put DS1 and DS2 in our bedroom (one cot, one in the bed with DH) and make second bedroom into a bedroom for me and the baby as there is a single bed in there (currently DS1) and I have a Moses basket, could add changing mat and would be potentially much better to avoid waking everyone with night feeds and changes.

Is that crazy?

OP posts:
Original poster
DuploMum · 05/02/2023 16:20

PinkFrogss · 05/02/2023 16:19

Makes sense OP.

In that case I’d definitely move them both in together soon, you and DH won’t want to sleep apart for that long or for your family to play one ongoing game of room swap!

Yes exactly! I don't want that. I do want them in the same room just not a load of issues that come with 😄

OP posts:
PotteringAlonggotkickedoutandhadtoreregister · 05/02/2023 16:21

I would buy a triple bunk for the second room so you have it for the future - no point buying something and having to rebuy in 2 years.

then I would put the oldest 2 in together and get ready for the youngest to go in there eventually.

then, if you’ve got a triple bunk, you’ve got a bed that DH can dive into if needed in the same room as the big 2

Original poster
DuploMum · 05/02/2023 16:22

BridetoBee · 05/02/2023 16:18

White noise is your friend here. I’ve had 2 under 3 sharing since DD was 1 so DS would have been 26 months ish. They have constant white noise overnight which mostly stops then waking each other up.

Also very interesting 👀 thank you!

OP posts:
Original poster
DuploMum · 05/02/2023 16:24

PotteringAlonggotkickedoutandhadtoreregister · 05/02/2023 16:21

I would buy a triple bunk for the second room so you have it for the future - no point buying something and having to rebuy in 2 years.

then I would put the oldest 2 in together and get ready for the youngest to go in there eventually.

then, if you’ve got a triple bunk, you’ve got a bed that DH can dive into if needed in the same room as the big 2

As in 3 beds stacked or a single and a double?

I think eldest at 3.5 is too little for a top bunk though. But this has crossed my mind!

OP posts:
PotteringAlonggotkickedoutandhadtoreregister · 05/02/2023 16:27

Mine were a similar age to yours when DS3 was born and I put DS1 onto the top bunk (but he was 4) and he was fine. Or you could get something like this

and leave the top one free for a bit

JanuaryBirthdays · 05/02/2023 16:28

I had 2 sharing a room at a similar age, if one woke in the night the other luckily didn't really care too much, but the mornings were annoying if they woke eachother up early. I put a stair gate on their room to stop them creeping about in the morning without me.
It'll be fine :)

parrotonthesofa · 05/02/2023 16:28

Going against the grain I actually think you going in with newborn and dh being with other two is an excellent idea for the newborn days.

You deal with the newborn and dh deals with any waking from the other two. Seems the best way to maximize sleep to me.

Otherwise you risk disturbing the newborn when you or dh are getting up to deal with the other two or when the three year old is coming into your room.

Original poster
DuploMum · 05/02/2023 16:29

PotteringAlonggotkickedoutandhadtoreregister · 05/02/2023 16:27

Mine were a similar age to yours when DS3 was born and I put DS1 onto the top bunk (but he was 4) and he was fine. Or you could get something like this

and leave the top one free for a bit

Love the idea. Can't quite fit that in. Definitely going to look into it. He's a sensitive 3 so I'm not sure he would be okay. Plus I'm not concerned about all 3 in the same room yet for at least 2 years. And hopefully be moved out by then.

OP posts:
PotteringAlonggotkickedoutandhadtoreregister · 05/02/2023 16:29

my three were desperate for this bed at one point!

Original poster
DuploMum · 05/02/2023 16:30

parrotonthesofa · 05/02/2023 16:28

Going against the grain I actually think you going in with newborn and dh being with other two is an excellent idea for the newborn days.

You deal with the newborn and dh deals with any waking from the other two. Seems the best way to maximize sleep to me.

Otherwise you risk disturbing the newborn when you or dh are getting up to deal with the other two or when the three year old is coming into your room.

Thank you for not making me look insane 😆 it'd only be until the many night feeds and nappy changes die down. Probably 6m ish. I can't remember when these two calmed down with milk and nappies 😄😄 much appreciated x

OP posts:
Original poster
DuploMum · 05/02/2023 16:31

PotteringAlonggotkickedoutandhadtoreregister · 05/02/2023 16:29

I can see why! My middle is Oscar too - they would love that. Again can't fit the bed outwards so it wouldn't work like that for me. Maybe when we get a bigger house 🥳

OP posts:
BeyondMyWits · 05/02/2023 16:34

My girls, with 18 month gap, were always going to have to share so we bought bunk beds that can be 2 separate beds to start with. That worked fine until eldest was 5 and old enough to manage the steps at night, then we put the bunks together.

As you say, the new baby will be in your room for a while anyhow. I would just go for it, took a couple of weeks for ours to get used to nighttime noises, but we had to get there so we did.

Original poster
DuploMum · 05/02/2023 16:36

BeyondMyWits · 05/02/2023 16:34

My girls, with 18 month gap, were always going to have to share so we bought bunk beds that can be 2 separate beds to start with. That worked fine until eldest was 5 and old enough to manage the steps at night, then we put the bunks together.

As you say, the new baby will be in your room for a while anyhow. I would just go for it, took a couple of weeks for ours to get used to nighttime noises, but we had to get there so we did.

Thank you! The thing is I have a single bed already, the IKEA Hemnes pull out and don't want to buy 2 more. But again like this idea.

OP posts:
PotteringAlonggotkickedoutandhadtoreregister · 05/02/2023 17:32

You could buy a bed tent and put it over the bed? Might mean they disturb each other less? I have one on the top bunk in the “sharing” room
like this

Findyourneutralspace · 05/02/2023 23:41

I wouldn’t want a 3.5 year old on a top bunk, but I bet they would love having a double or twins pushed together.
Is your youngest going to be leaving the cot for the baby to take over?

Original poster
DuploMum · 06/02/2023 07:12

Findyourneutralspace · 05/02/2023 23:41

I wouldn’t want a 3.5 year old on a top bunk, but I bet they would love having a double or twins pushed together.
Is your youngest going to be leaving the cot for the baby to take over?

Yes they will be. I think 2 singles is best too!

OP posts:
sunnydayhereandnow · 06/02/2023 07:33

You've probably tried this, but if not, have you tried a sleep clock for the 3 year old? Worked wonders for mine.

Original poster
DuploMum · 06/02/2023 07:42

sunnydayhereandnow · 06/02/2023 07:33

You've probably tried this, but if not, have you tried a sleep clock for the 3 year old? Worked wonders for mine.

I haven't but I have looked into it. I couldn't bring myself to spend the £31!! Would you recommend?

OP posts:
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