Any tips on how best to get 2 yr old ^and^ baby to bath/bed when new baby comes along in 2 months?

[annaspanna]

DS1 will be 2.2 when DB due 2 months. He's in a good routine of bath, story, bed between 7-7.30 ish. I'm hoping it'll be managable when DP is around but due to his job he won't always be there so how do you do 2 kids on you own? Want to b/f again but terrified i won't have any time for DS1 Any advise gratefully received. Thanx

easy when dh around

when dh not around, not so easy

especially with a boy

I would make sure that, on the days that dp isn't around now, you can occasionally leave him by himself after the bath/bed routine

So, bath, bed, and allowed to stay in bed with books/light on until he falls asleep

What you want is to be able to deal with a possibly screaming baby and know that ds won't be causing trouble as well

You can of course bf while seeing to ds, but my second would finish a feed in 5 minutes and was an awful evening screamer so there was no way I could deal with both - DH just HAD to be at home for bath/bed for the first few months

It would be worth encouraging your son to learn how to get himself undressed and also dressed in his jammies if possible, so that you can clap and cheer while he does that, and you can concentrate on baby

At the beginning when feeds/sleeps are somewhat random it may be easier than you think to continue ds1's routine around the new baby. Get the newborn into the big bath for a dunking with ds1 asap, then dry him/her/give a massage while ds1 carries on playing in the bath. If space permits you could sit on a comfy chair in the bathroom to feed dc2. Then put down dc1 to sleep while you do ds1's story.
After a few weeks you might be able to get dc2 bathed fed and asleep before 7pm in order to give ds1 more 1 to 1 time, if that's what you prefer. That would take longer overall; I'd wait and see what sort of temperament dc2 has.

My 1st 2 sons were born 21 m apart and I managed by myself most evenings as dh worked/works very long hours.
When my 4th was a tiny baby, his bedtime was 6.30pm, which enabled me to be free for homework supervision for the 2 eldest, watching no.3 in the bath, etc. All were breastfed - average of a year each - so it's all very possible.

DS1 is 23 mths, DS2 is 5 mths. My DH works shifts and leaves the house from 05.00-15.30 on earlies and from 13.30-00.00 on a late shift. I'm also bfeeding DS2 as well as toilet training DS1. It is hard but you do get by.
Re bath time we startthe process around 19.00
I feed DS2 whilst bath is running
Undress DS1 and pop him in the bath and let him play
Undress DS2, bath him, dry and dress him, pop him back in bouncer
Bath and dry DS1
Pop DS1's milk in the warmer
All trek into the lounge, dress DS1
Rescue milk from the warmer and give to DS1, see if DS2 wants to feed again
All go upstairs, pop DS1 into bed with remaining milk, try and keep DS2 contented on my knee whilst reading a story to DS1, kisses all round, lights out & stairgate shut
Me and DS2 go downstairs from 19.45ish till 23.00 ish then head off to bed

wandering star if I'd had that kind of experience with my babies I'd have had about six

Mine both started screaming at about 4pm and didn't stop until midnight

and that whole baby massage thing never worked for me

Baby massage class:
Teacher: "Wait until baby is awake and relaxed."
Me: "???"
Teacher: "Lie your baby on the floor."
Me:

WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

REPEAT PROCESS SEVERAL TIMES
Teacher: Hmm perhaps just watch the class for now?

Oh I didn't mean to sound smug mp...my 6.30pm all-tucked -up newborn has left me and morphed into a stroppy just 3yo who won't go to or stay in bed for love nor money. But yes I always did find the newborn stage easy compared to the toddler years.

hahah well that's ok then

my four year old just sits around all day with her nose in a book and being polite to visitors, she is like something from Victorian times

It's Baby Karma I think

Brilliant advise from you all. DS1 is a very spirited lad. I'm really hoping for a laid back baby this time that'll fit in easily. DS did used to have crying fits from 5 ish when he was newborn. Thats why i'm terrified i think. I am trying to teach im to undress already so I'm glad that'll help. I know it'll be really hard some evenings but i just wanted an idea in my head of how I'd do it. B/F baby while reading to DS sounds ideal if i can time it right. Kids are never textbook tho are they???

No they are never textbook!

Don't forget there is always CBeebies

Now that my dd's are 1 and 4 bedtimes are lovely and easy and they are best friends, love playing in the bath, and both sit on the bed with daddy and 'read' books together for ages, it is very chilled and peaceful TBH

So the hard bit doesn't last for long

they are both crap sleepers though so it's not all bliss of course

Bu the pre-bedtime bit is much easier to manage!