bedtime with new sibling

[rhetorician]

DD1 is 2.10 and DD2 arrived on Sunday. DD1 has taken to her pretty well, but the only thing is that a previously solid bedtime routine is taking a bit of a hit - we've stuck to the routine, but DD1 messes about and yells, asks for a wee, to come downstairs to say goodnight etc etc, meaning that she isn't going to sleep for a good hour after her normal bedtime.

Now, I know it's very early days, but I just wonder how draconian we should be at this point - it's an awfully big thing that's just happened to her, and this is clearly about attention - should we just accept it and hope it resolves itself, or be absolutely strict? (she almost does a wee when she asks, and I don't really want to discourage that - she's dry in the day, but not at night). Thoughts?

ok - so I'm just being soft, then? I have decided to be draconian - it just isn't tenable with a small baby in the house. So I told her tonight that I wouldn't be coming back (to which she said 'yes, you will', which kind of clinched it :o) and am holding firm. It might take a few days...but there is no need for this and it won't help her deal with her sibling.

agreed that it's all about attention, but it is so difficult. perhaps do be a bit tough at bedtime while trying to make her feel special during the day? dd2 is now 4 months and i find bedtime a huge struggle, and the only way it works is for me to put dd1 to bed first. defo need some flexibility!!! good luck and congratulations, by the way.

yes, it's very stressful somehow - but I really think that we have to hold the line on this and ignore her screams and pleas. Horrible, and I do feel very :( for her - but being overtired and out of control isn't going to help with anything

hi i do sympathise but dont worry it does get better. My DS was 2.9 when my DD was born and for the 1st month or so his bedtime was all over the place. He would be going to bed on some nights at 10pm but we just went with it. He has always been a good sleeper so it was not disturbing his night's sleep. He would make a real fuss of going to bed, i would be with my DD trying to settle her, and he would demand to see me and say goodnight or put him to bed. Some nights he would scream a bit but we just had to leave him for a bit so he understood it was bedtime and everything was ok. Over time he got better and now he is a dream to put to bed, although now with new baby his bedtime is later than what it used to be but thats life!