3 yr old refusing to listen when trying to settle newborn

[Chocolateyclaire76]

My very spirited 3 yr old is refusing to listen when I'm trying to settle 5 week old for nap. She will shout my name, brings toys into the room I'm settling in and if I close the door she will shout.

I've tried explaining to her over and over again but it just doesn't make a difference. I know it's because she wants my attention but I just don't know what else to do.

Can you put the tv on for her or the laptop for the time it takes to settle the baby? Or keep a basket of 'special toys' that you only bring out for her to play with when you are trying to settle the baby?

I found putting CBeebies or a DVD on pretty much the only way.
Meant he ended up watching more TV than I'd like, but it's only for a few months whilst baby is young

I just got the big one involved, explained we have to shh shh, etc until baby is sleeping and once she is we can go and do xyz
He still shh shh her if they wake in the night or when she wont settle at bed time which is handy as it works for her.

I ve just started a star chart with my 3 year old as he was being very attention seeking with me and dd and was hurting her constantly. Works wonders and wish I d started it ages ago.

Can you settle the newborn in the same room as the 3yo?

The TV and DVDs don't work and neither do toys as it's my attention she wants. I've tried doing it in the same room but the little one won't settle. I am going to do a star chart though in the vain hope that it will make a difference. I had 5 hours of us all crying on and off yesterday afternoon due to not being able to settle!

I don't think I have it anywhere near as bad as you because my 3yo has just discovered peppa and bent and holly (compilations on you tube run for hours!). However, I do find a good walk with baby in pram and 3yo on the buggy board (often facing me to chat) works wonders.

I simply don't have the patience to spend hours settling the new one - she either gets dumped in her basket/on the mat to sleep while I attempt crafty stuff with DD or we walk. My logic is the new one won't remember, the 3yo will so ware my energy on the one that argues - as long as new DD is fed, safe and comfortable ish all will be well.

Good luck :)

Get a box...a pretty one...about as big as a chocolate box but taller. Put in it a variety of small "treasures" which you can get at charity shops or pound shops.

Beads, stickers, tiny dolly....pincushion, pine cones....anything you think she will like.

Hand her the box at settling times only and say "This is a special treasure box only for you...it's VERY special and it's only for when the baby is going to sleep...when he is settled, I will come back and put it away and then we will play"

Change the contents around regularly. Tell her when you offer it again that there are "new" things inside.