Bedtime routine/timings for newborn + 5-year-old

[RebeccaJames]

Hello, other mummies! Have just had my second child, who is 18 days old. Hubby is home at the moment still, but going back to work soon, so...

I'm wondering how to do the bedtimes and wide whether anyone else with children the same age could share their wisdoms. The older child usually starts routine at 7, asleep at 8. At the moment the newborn goes to bed with me at 10 but I am aiming for a routine that gets him in bed earlier really soon.

Should I try to get Baby in bed before the older child? Or should I get the older boy in bed first, while holding Baby, and then try to settle Baby? I cannot picture what would work best. Also, there's bound to be some crying (not much as I am not a fan of CIO) which would disturb my older boy, who needs his sleep for school.

Can anyone share what works best for them? I am floundering at the very idea of managing both! Any thoughts gratefully received...

Hello, I know how you feel as I've been through the same (and still am!). My dd1 is 5.5 yo and my dd2 is 5 months. I've always aimed for the Gina Ford routine of getting my baby to bed by 7pm which didn't always work in the early days but she now consistently goes to sleep by about 7pm and never any later than 8pm (and that's on a bad day with lots of crying). My eldest used to go to bed more between 7 and 7.30pm but since the baby has come along, it's generally more 7.30pm - 8pm. I find it easier to sort out the baby first and then the oldest in the hope that the baby will be asleep and I can ready a story to dd1 in peace! It hasn't always worked and there have been times when I've had to explain to dd1 that I can't read a story (rarely) as her sister needs me but she's always been very good about it. dd2 used to sleep really well early evening until a couple of weeks ago and has been waking 2-3 times before the dream feed at 11pm but fortunately this never wakes up my eldest! I'm not sure if this helps but good luck and I do understand how hard it is to juggle getting two to bed. I generally let dd1 watch TV or do her own thing downstairs whilst I'm sorting out dd2. I don't really like doing that but don't really see any alternative, especially when my dh is working late. good luck! Oh and dd2 has been in her own room since 7 weeks old so I'm not sure if that's helps?