How do I do the feed, bath bed routine with two kids under two?

[Pennies]

I did Gina Ford with my DD and am expecting DD2 in December and for some reason I'm really stressing out about how I'm going to get them both fed, bathes and in bed without there being total and utter chaos! When DD2 is born DD1 will be 15 months so she won't be at an age when she will be happy to sit still and listen to a story / watch TV / paly games whilst I see to DD2.

How can Gina's routine be applied to two children with this kind of age gap (if it can be that is!!!)

TIA.

it cant

dont worry you'll find a way

have you got a dp/dh who can put dd1 to bed whilst you look after dd2?

Suggest something like this:

Put DD2 in bouncy chair or similar while you cook tea for DD1.

Feed DD2 while DD1 eats tea.

Put DD2 back in bouncy chair while you clear up - DD1 can dance around and "entertain" DD2. Baby Mozart invaluable at such times, too.

Then take them both to bathroom, get DD2 undressed while running bath for DD1. If warm enough, DD2 can kick on changing mat while you bath DD1.

Then feed DD2 again while reading DD1 bedtime story.

Put DD2 in moses basket/cot and turn on some sort of music or the hoover or hairdryer or something while you settle DD1 for the night.

If DD2 still screaming, get her up again if needs be once DD1 is settled.

Thanks Dinosaur - sounds like a workable routine.

compo - DH doesn't get back from work until 7ish so will be on my own doing it! hence the worry.

Now... how do I do the rest of the day??? ho ho

Message withdrawn

but DD1's only interest in TV at the moment is the fun of pressing the ubutton to turn it off!!

Pennies, it will be chaos some of the time. But you will get into a routine and you will manage okay.

I know it will eventually. Think I'm just having the collywobbles at being a mum of two so soon. I've only just got used to having one!!

Don't worry about GIna - I managed to loosely follow it (i.e just used it as a general timing guide) with ds2 and ds3 - my age gaps are 19months and 21 months.

Honestly, don't stress about it - you'll find your own way of doing it. Its' really not as bad as you think it will be.

Do them together or change the routine. I tend to bath in a morning, mainly as its less manic..well slightly! Evening bath coinsides with the meal for the others.

ive got the same age gap pennies - well i will have when i drop in 4 weeks time!

Gonna be a nightmare me thinks! My DH works til at least 6pm and occasionally 7pm so I know the dilema you are facing - im petrified!

On top of that my DH is going away for 3 weeks when the baby will only be about 5 weeks old!

At one point I think I used to get ds1 and ds2 in the bath and I'd sit on top of the toilet feeding ds3 his milk.

You'll find a way around it. My dh never got in till about 7 either - you'll be fine!!

I would do them both together, while they are both young then eventually you will find it sort of changes into two seperate routines. I have four, and the older two (3yo and 5yo) go on one routine, and the babies (6 mnths) go on the other. It sort of works so that kids ready for bed, babies ready for bed, kids tea, babies tea, kids to bed, babies to bed, etc.

also dont worry about it..so what if the routine goes to pot for a bit? I honestly dont understand the need to follow someone elses routine, but each to there own

my dh doesnt get in till midnight most evenings and often leaves the house at 7.30. You just get on with it! You find your way. dont worry if its not Gina's way!!! It really isnt that hard!

going to sound silly here i guess, but you have the ideal age gap between children in my eyes.
my dd is 20 weeks and i am already working out concievable months so i have this age gap.
3 of the families i worked for had this age gap.
( true i only started with them when the youngest was 10 weeks) but it worked really well for me.
i wish you luck and just relax and enjoy it.
you learn little tricks etc.
e.g i ran bath while soaking dinner things and laying out pjs and nappies etc on big double bed.
then let the eldest strip themselves while you place baby in bath.
make it a game.
for every item that they successfully get off baby gets another part of body washed.
then eldest gets in and they have 5 mins sharing bath and then baby comes out.
into warm towel and you place nappy on.
(obviously in bathroom on floor next to bath)
then wash eldest hair etc.
then lift eldest out. carry eldest through onto bed, then go and collect baby.
have gentle drying and massage etc,
then curl up with milk in cup for eldest, bottle for baby and all read 1 story in big bed togther.
allow toddler to go into room and choose one toy to take to bed while you place baby in bed.
then come and read toddler a story on own as big girl time. tuck them in and away you go.
HTH.

Pennies - it will work out - you'll find what works for you.
For me I've never had a routine as such. Mine are now 8yrs, 4, 2 & to be born now!! When I had DD3 I put DD1 &DD2 in the bath together with dd3 in the baby bath or in with them. I then got dd3 out of the bath & dressed & bf her. Got the others out whilst bf & got them ready for bed. I co-slept with dd3 so just carried her around as I sorted everything out. WHat helped me was bf as could do this as I got dds ready. Respect that bf is a personal choice but for me it helped me to look after dd3 & the older ones at the sametime.

I will be beastfeeding DD2 - I think this is what wories me - I'll be trapped when DD1 decides to go walkabout.

Pennies - I bf my 3 & managed to do this through bf & being mobile. Hold your baby in your arms in the cradle hold & off you go. Your arms will get stronger!! very fast. It was the only way I managed to run after the others & look after the little one. You'll eventually be able to do most jobs with the one hand whilst you bf. On my part it helped stop any jealousy probs as other dds weren't stopped from doing what they would normally do. Hth xxx

oooh blimey. I bf'd DD1 for 9 months and never even got mobile, let alone mobile and useful! Will have to be more daring from the sound of things. Also I like the idea of arms getting stronger - anything to bust those bingo wings.

For me it was the only way. With DD1 it only occured to me that I could be mobile once I'd got the hang of bf & wanted to get a snack or phone! With dd2 & dd3 was the only way to get anything done. Still have the bingo wings!!!

You might want to consider a ring sling for bf the bay to make you more mobile. It does take some practise to get the hang of it, but it will leave your hands free to chase after the other one. It is especially valuable if you go to playgrounds and htings so you can feed the baby and still stay close to the toddletr.

I'm going to have a 21-months gap with my two (second baby due in January) and am investing in a sling I can feed in. (PMSL at beastfeed - how true that can be some days ).

Good luck!

didn't notice 'beastfeed' - genuine typo. blimmin true tho isn't it!

Pennies et al - I think we need a new support thread on this. I'm due end of Jan/Beg of Feb when my dd will be nearly 16 months and I'm also thinking how will things work out.

I really want to 'beastfeed' longer this time but I was only thinking yesterday about what am I going to do when I am trying to breastfeed and dd decides to go walkabout and/or try to lick a hot radiator etc.

I'm sure it will be hard at the beginning but worth it when they are a little older - at least there is a few of us in the same boat (so to speak)