where are the 'how to cope with 3 kids' threads???

[autumnlover]

so i've not got 3 kids - 5yr old, 20mth old and a newborn.

needless to say, i'm exhausted and not sure how i'm coping. newborn is feeding every 2 hrs & not sleeping in the evenings or nights, 20mth has energy levels of a hurricane and just tearing the hse down and 5yr is not getting any 'mummy time' at all ....

can anyone give me some stragies on how to cope? should i put newborn into some kind of routine??

The chaotic newborn stage doesnt last for long. My ds's (age 5 and 3)were pretty neglected for the first 3 months of dd's life (she is now 7 months) but we gradually got into a routine - by about 3 months it was a lot easier.

I tried to make time during the day for them when the baby was asleep, and they learned that sometimes they just had to wait while I fed her etc.

If you have a dp, make sure he takes the two older ones out to burn off some energy and to give you a break. Accept any offers of help from friends, grandparents.

I think you just have to accept that it is going to be hard and you will be really tired but that it will definitely get easier. I am really enjoying having three now, the boys love to entertain the baby and seeing the interaction between them all is lovely!

Mine are 7, 2 in a few days and 8 weeks tomorrow

the first 2 weeks were a nightmare but then have very gradually got better. It's still a nightmare of chaos but I do feel like some sort of managing is starting to happen.

Hang on in there! I agree with chocorange and trinityrhino, don't expect to much atm. It's all about survival at this stage. but it really does get easier, and then you start to reap the benefits. Mine are 8, 6 and 4 now, they get on brilliantly (well, within the the usual sibling limits!).

Good luck!

get a sling!i found it made my life so much easier in early days!still does now and mine are now almost 7 almost 6(birthdays both next week!) and 15 months.

mine are 8, 6, 2 and 6 weeks and things are just about getting out of the really manic phase. baby is sleeping in bed with me so i can doze while bf. i did sleep on the sofa with him for a while which was ok but not as comfortable. the older ones are watching too much tv and eating too much junk (remember its not for ever). we are out of the house a lot because baby sleeps really well in the sling so they are playing at the park nearly every day - surprisingly this actually makes me feel better, on the days we dont go out i feel awful. we are reading lots of stories while bf, and dh has baby for a little while at night so i can talk to the older ones. accept any help that is offered, now is not the time to be proud!

i wouldnt try to put baby in a routine, it will probably take up lots of time and by the time you get it working he/she would probably be in a similar routine anyway

I'm in the same sort of place.

I have a 5 yr old son, a daughter who will be 1 on Friday and a 9 week old son, who is like a newborn due to being 8 weeks prem.

Jack(newborn) is feeding a lot at the moment, and can also be very unsettled after his feeds due to colic. My daughter has a very strict routine which if not stuck too she gets grumpy and is generally not a pleasure to be around. To top it all my 5 year old is on easter holidays and I feel a bit overwhelmed to say the least lol.

Even getting out the door is a struggle, working round feeds and Lana's routine is a full time job and leaves very little time for a stroll in the park boo.

hugs to you, I can completely sympathise.

Am81 - i feel like saying snap!! my newborn was born 6 weeks early and he's due date isnt until saturday. although he is gaining weight well but still sleeping loads.

what routine is yr 1 year old on? what buggy do you have?? i reluctantly got a phil & ted and have to admit its great. if you get the latest edition, the 2nd seat has a small recline which makes it marginally more comfortable for sleeping toddler.

we are lucky that there is a park about 3mins walk away so i just put the newborn into the cocoon and toddler into buggy with a bribe of a biscuit and then let them loose in the park. i find that even 20mins is great. i look a mess, newborn in sleep clothes and no one's hair has been combed or anything. i also find that if i know we're going out, i get toddler dressed first with shoes and then baby.

thank you ladies for your support. being here always makes me feel so much better.

today has been a good day and we've been to the park, eaten out and had some friends round. so feel more human. its always nice to have adult company. newborn has also slept well - had him in the sling for a couple of hrs this afternoon and it was lovely.

dds are definitely eating too much junk and watching too much tv but then it is the holidays!!!