Siblings at bedtime - tips needed

[meysey]

Hi I have a DS1 who is nearly 4, and a DS2 who is 5 months. I just can't get to grips with a bedtime routine and would appreciate some tips.

DS1 likes to have an early bath with DS2, but then gets bored while I am breastfeeding afterwards. He doesn't like to sit on his own with a video. When DS2 was smaller, I could feed and read books to DS1. But now he gets excited and wants to join in, so won't feed while I am reading to his older brother.

If I feed the baby quietly upstairs, DS1 promises to be quiet as a mouse, but inevitable ends up distracting his brother.

When DH is around, we each put a child to bed. But when he is not, things get a bit chaotic. Last night, DS1 got fed up of waiting and I found he had put himself to bed! (Sounds ideal I know, but I doubt it will happen every time, and it is not fair if he misses out on stories!!)

DS1 does get tired, so keeping him up late probably isn't the answer.

Any distraction or other tips gratefully received.

YOu need to get a video hw will wacth or a dtory tape or cd?

ohd ont worry anout ds1 falling asleep - one nght off stories is a godsend!

I do mine in hte bath all together then the baby then the others all in turn

how long does hte baby take? could you start hime earlier?

thanks for story tape idea, he could maybe have one with headphones...

no matter how early I start bathing the baby, DS1 wants to join in, which is quite sweet really...

the baby's feed takes a good 30-40 mins, and I could try feeding him earlier, but am still wrestling with trying to get the nights working well, so don't want to put him down too soon...

but it's good to hear that you bathe yours together and then do baby first... we probably still need to get used to that

I'm in the same boat ... DS1 is 2 3/4 (!) and DS2 almost 7 months ... DS2 will NOT b/f if DS1 is around - even during the day. DS1 will not go to bed without a bath and by that stage DS2 is so tired that he screams unless he gets my undivided attention. I hate it when DH isn't here to help and usually end up doing baths mid-afternoon when everyone's calmer and then either putting DS1 to bed first with DS2 grumbling and crying cos he's tired and me feeling guilty at rushing DS1's story-time OR try to b/f DS2 with DS1 sitting on bed beside me, whispering stories and DS2 ripping off the breast and nearly taking my nipple with his 4 teeth.

Confused? I'm confused typing it!! No answer I guess but lots of sympathy.

hi meysey, I have three little ones (almost 5 yrs, 3 yrs, 7 months) and also find bedtime a logistical nightmare. Generally I try to put baby to bed first because he's just cranky at that time of day. I only bathe them a couple of times a week, baby even less than that, but when I do I do them all at the same time, get baby out first and him all ready for bed, then the other two, and leave them to play in their room whilst I put baby to bed. Of course inevitably they start arguing and one of them will cry.
I also let them watch a video whilst I put the baby to bed, though my 3 yr old is not particularly interested in videos which makes it a bit hit-and-miss. She'll start messing about with the video controls and her sister will come to me and complain.
Sorry that I can't offer a magic solution to it!! You've got to try to find a video or tape that will enthrall him.

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