Room sharing - 1yo and 3yo

[notadoctor]

I am thinking of putting my 3yo and 1yo in the same room - in the hope it might help them sleep and am after some tips/ advice...

DD (3yo) has never been a good sleeper, still wakes multiple times a night and often ends up co-sleeping. DS (1yo) is much better - thankfully! Mostly sleeps through (just occasionally has a bed night with teething etc) Would I be crazy to risk his night sleep for hers?!

Also, how do room sharers do bedtime routine?

Currently, they have tea together at 5.30pm, bath together at 6ish then DH takes DS and gives him stories and cuddles, while I do the same with DD. DS used to self settle but has been needing a bit of shush pat following a bout of separation anxiety (which doesn't seem to affect him in the middle of the night). I sit with DD listening to an audiobook til she nods off. They're both asleep by 7ish. Most nights bedtime is really lovely and I like that they both get one on one time. Any suggestions for a bedtime routine that works well with sharing?

In general, they are v loving and affectionate with each other - no real obvious jealousy - so think sharing would work in that regard...

Watching with interest.

Have the same scenario.
Ds1 not a greatsleeper 2 years 9 months
Ds2 11months great sleeper, a bit unsettled at moment.
They will need to share soon. Not sure how to go about it.

Following with interest as I'm planning to put my DS together (currently 5mo and 2.8yo) in together at the same ages as yours.

DP and I currently divide and conquer too and each takes one for bedtime. DS2 doesn't eat yet and baths are 2/3 times a week affairs but I think when they're 1-3yo they'll be sharing tea and bedtime routine.

For us I think it'll only work when both of them requires less help from a parent to get to sleep. DP lieson DS1's floor while he falls asleep (he's in a toddler bed) and DS2 is bfed to sleep.
In my mind I wonder if I'll eventually be giving DS2 his last feed in their room and DS1 will fall asleep while I do this, then I put DS2 down after his feed.

At the moment DS2 stirs if DS1 wakes in the night, but he no longer wakes. DS1 has always been oblivious to DS2's cries.

DS1 is an early waker but DS2 is only about 30 mins behind him in waking in th morning.

My feeling is that the benefits and companionship they'll gain from sharing will out weigh any initial disruptions.

Good luck! Am interested to read other comments from people who have done this

Ours ended up sharing a room out of necessity due to visitors and we were gobsmacked to discover how well it worked out. We have 2 sons who are 2.5 years apart. The little one went in with his big brother when he was about 3. We went from having to go in to DS1 at least twice a night to settle him to "sleeping through". I think he was just comforted having his little brother in with him when he woke in the night. They also started getting up and playing together on their bedroom floor in the morning instead of waking us up. Win, win. Bedtimes are also easier - it only takes one of us to do stories. That was 4+ years ago and we've not looked back. We're assuming they'll let us know when they want privacy and to have separate rooms again as DS1 will be 10 soon, but so far it's been brilliant and they much prefer it.

We did it about two months ago with dd 3.5 and ds 15 months and they sleep better in the same room than they ever have done! They go to bed about 6.30-7 and sleep til around 6. I feed the baby to sleep and the 3 year old chatters to herself for about ten minutes and goes to sleep.

My ds' share there's 2.5yr between them a joint bedtime routine seems to suit them both and as another pp said they entertain each other in the morning before waking us up. They hate sleeping apart.

Mine share. Daughter 6 and son 2. He went in with her at 16 months. Both mine have been awful sleepers. My daughter finally started to sleep through the night when she was about 5. my son wakes multiple times some nights. It doesn't really affect my daughter won't wake up if my son messes about. Xx. Good luck.

I guess the message here is that its worth a try. You can always review it & separate them again if it doesn't work out.

Thank you all for replying. I think we're going to try it with the travel cot in DDs room to start with and see how they get on.

Mine are 3.5 and heading for 2. I would say decide to stick with it for a set period as the first few nights are a novelty. we put the younger one in 15 mins ahead, he now waits for his sister before nodding off. if my house had a different layout i would probably do one lot of stories, but actually i do dc2 in the bedroom then dc 1 gets stories elsewhere then just goes to the bedroom to cuddle dc2 then sleep.