How did you juggle older kids with an unputdownable newborn?

[buffythebarbieslayer]

If you have three or more children, how did you juggle it all with a newborn that wouldn't be put down?

Did you leave them to cry sometimes? Use a sling?

They cried in the car seat and I felt bad but couldn't do much. Otherwise a moby wrap sling was a godsend. I could do whole days out just poping baby in and out of sling for changes and feeding. ... and sometimes even feed in the sling walking around.

I wore a sling for about 6 months! Get a good one, stretchy wrap is your man.

Dc3 is 5 weeks and unputdownable. I'm exhausted!

Do use a wrap sling but she's heavy

Can you get some help for the busiest times? Otherwise I'm afraid I can't think of anything other than a sling (those baby rocker things never worked for me) but my slings were the most useful things I had - and not Babybjorn style ones which are less good for longer wearing.
Our first wouldn't be put down and needed rocking constantly and it turned out she had undiagnosed allergies (so tummy ache) which I'm sure not the case for you but i wish I'd realised

Have you used the sling before successfully? If not maybe go to a sling library and check if you are doing it right.

I only stated using the stretchy wrap with my third and found it a learning curve but can still carry him for hours at 8 months so I should thing at 5 weeks your baby shouldn't be too heavy.

A stretchy wrap sling is your friend, you won't even feel the weight of your baby in it. Whilst wearing ds3 i managed to empty and load the dishwasher, strip and make beds, prepare food, hang out the washing.

Having them on you keeps everyone happy. The baby loves it, you have hands free for your other dc, which in turn helps you keep your sanity.

You mentioned she feels heavy, have you wrapped yourself in it tightly enough? That is the key to successful wrapping ime.

I let them cry babe.. I'm still a Mum to 3 other kids and they have to be dressed, fed, watered and taken to school. I had to read to and be read to, I tended to hold baby or put baby in the bed with all of the other kids, and do a big group read! Sometimes I had to put him in his cot and let him cry, whilst I whipped around like a loon getting all the other 3 ready. Then when I was done, it was just me and him... So, my point is, is it's swings and roundabouts.. Baby needs to slot in I'm afraid. I never got on with slings etc.. But got bloody good at doing most things whilst holding baby.

Also, it gets much much easier.. Just give it time. Stagger bedtimes if you can.. Everyone has to learn to muck in. My other 3 have been wonderful and still wonderful at entertaining baby no4... X

Stretchy wrap sling. Saved my sanity! That and letting the baby cry sometimes for a few minutes. I would agree that if you're feeling the weight, you aren't wrapping properly/tightly enough. There are loads of good videos on YouTube to show you how.

She's in wrap sling now, really tight. Does feel better

Yes been doing a lot one handed too!

I am going to try a sling with my 5th dd who is due soon but I had a fisherprice cradle swing (the ones that can go side to side and back and forth) for dd4 which was a god send so I have got another for this baby. I dont think I could of survived without it!

Echoing others, a sling. I had an ergo carrier, and the best bit was learning to breastfeed while dds have been in it. Meant I could be at the park following little ones while breastfeeding in the sling.

I must admit, dd3 and 4 would have also cried a bit more, but I don't like them crying and it wouldn't have been for too long...

I remember cooking dinner once when mil was over. I had dd3 in the sling and mil was commenting on what a good baby she was. Um...that would be because I am breastfeeding her while wearing her in a sling and cooking food. You, on the other hand, are just sitting on your arse....perhaps I am a little bitter about that one!

I had a sling...I have them lined up for the next DC who is due soon. I quite like the slings with a nice thick waist band for the extra weight support and buckles for speed.

The ergo had this baby insert and quite often I could lie DC down in the cot/downstairs crib, still on the insert (which is like a cushion) and he would stay asleep which was a bit of a result!

My boba wrap & carrier are my best friend for a very high needs ds4 who is 7mo and screams if not held or rocked - he is get go in the stroller and car seats are his worst enemy but inavoidable most days.

selective deafness worked ok for us, didn't have much option as I can only spread myself so thin!