How to get 2 babies sleeping at the same time

[Nads38]

I have 2 DD 4 months and 22 months. I am struggling to get both of them to sleep at the same time during the day. My oldest is in a great routine, asleep for 12.30 for 2 hours, but I then spend the whole time she is asleep trying to get my youngest asleep. I have been trying control crying for the past two days, it is kind of working, but is very hard as I worry that DD1 will wake up, this sometimes happens at bed time too. DD1 is asleep every night for 7, but sometimes, DD2 wakes her up as I am trying to get her down. It's hard during the day when I am home by myself, would love some advice plllleeeaaasseee !!!!

Hi Nads, Control Crying is not advised for babies under one year old. Some say six months, but 4 months CC is too young in my opinion.

What time does your 4mo baby wake up in the morning? I assume she has another nap in the morning and another one later in the afternoon? It's not before DS2 was seven months old, when he went from 3 naps a day to 2 naps a day that I managed to get my two to sleep at the same time. I moved DS1 naps to a bit later (about 13.30) and they both sleep at the same time in the afternoon now pretty much every day.

I was wondering if I am expecting a bit too much from her, but we did it with DD1 and it worked brilliant. DD2 wakes up at around 7 - 7.30, then 20 mins at around 10, 40 mins around 1 and 30 mins around 4.

Mine didn't sleep at the same time until dd2 was abit older. It will slot in to place. She was tired about two hours after waking in the morning, then again about 2 hours (minimum) after that nap finished. She always cried when I put her down, and has only just stopped, and she's nearly 1, but it was a sort of "I'm tired, leave me alone" which didn't last long

I used to bf DD to sleep and nap with her during DS's afternoon nap.

Not much use if you were intending to use the time to get on with stuff in the house though.

Forgot to say they are similar age gap and this worked from when DD was 3m

I got into bed with both of mine, (the oldest was 17 months when the little one was born) to get them off for their morning nap..now (oldest nearly two) they go to bed together in the morning and most times sleep for two hours..it took about two months to get them into this though..plus it probably breaks all sorts of rules about co sleeping etc..that said they are very cute asleep together

No real tipsnads but there is a thread for 2 under 2 support, please join us, you can rant to your hearts content !

hi nads
She might be a bit young yet. I know you are probably keen to get the break but I would let them find their own way a bit.
My dd liked to catnap and didn't start a big afternoon nap til she was 11 months, and also started sleeping 7-7 at the same time- quite different to her brother who was very early sleeping through, and very keen on big naps.

Good luck.

As soon as my DS goes down, I get DD fed and in the buggy, rock her back and forward at the back door then leave her out the back once she's sleeping. You could also try conapping with her and that way you both get some rest. Or bribe your eldest to nap longer (joke btw! though my mum did that with my brother!).

Or try a sling? She might nod off when you're settling your other DD?

It does get better, I remember that all very well and it's tough when you don't get a break. I used to take both of mine for a drive as at least they'd chill out that way and I'd get a few minutes peace to listen to the radio. I also ate a lot of meals in the car lol.

My dd thought ds's nap was an opportunity for a big bf in the afternoon for a long time. I would make a cup of tea, get comfy on the bed and bf her to sleep then hope to get to dose for a bit until ds woke up. Not ideal but at least I got a bit of a sit down. She took linger to get onto naps and sleeping through but she is fab now.

I recommend 'co-napping' too (I like this expression - I have just read it on here - it sounds slighly more worthy than just going to bed part way through the day ). That way you can enjoy your new baby until they/you doze off, which is always hard with another child around, and boost your energy supplies for later (plus your milk supplies for later, if you are breastfeeding).