I'm at breaking point....please tell me what you did with DC2?

[hazbaz]

Sorry long but I am going slightly mad through sleep deprivation - I forget words, names, have no patience with the DC & my house is a pig sty!

My DS1 didn't sleep through ONCE (on av waking every 2 hrs) until 21m after we moved & we finally did controlled crying. I then found out 2 weeks later I was pregnant with DS2!!

Anyway DS2 is now 20 months & still waking at night (we co-sleep) but I have no evening as he is waking earlier & earlier, and he is a very big, thrashy boy.

just want to sleep all night in my own bed!

How do others manage to get DC2 to sleep through without waking DC1?

DS1 starts school in Sept & I need this to be sorted!!

You'll be amazed what older siblings will sleep through! My 3wo has a cry that could wake the dead; my eldest snores right through it!

Can't help but think that co-sleeping isn't helping?

I went down the bedtime routine route. Bath, pj's, tv, milk, story bed. I think it makes them feel safe if everything is the same every night.

I have a cd playing classical music in their bedroom. They used to sleep in total darkness but now they have one of those ikea night lights.

Mine don't get out of bed really. They know they are not supposed to and they would not be welcomed with open arms.

Oh goodness poor you, you must be exhausted.

I agree with MJ, I think older siblings are like husbands can sleep through a right racket, at least mine did.

What's the reason you still co-sleep? Does you DC2 have a room of his own or would he be sharing with DC1? I would grit your teeth and get him out of your bed and into his own and do the whole cc thing. Or whatever works for you.

If they'd be sharing a room can you move DC 1 into your room for a week whilst DS2 gets used to the new arrangement.

Do you have a partner to help you with this? I'm a right softy and couldn't bear to leave my children to yell but thankfully dh was supportive and we sort of got through it together.

When he does wake you need to be totally boring, no eye contact or cuddling - just reassurance and then walk out - I think, mind you it's been a while for me - others will know better.

Sometimes I think mine can't go to sleep until the other one is crying.

Thank you everyone for the replies - hopefully DS1 will sleep through it, they're in separate bedrooms but with a very thin wall & DS1 likes to sleep with his door open.

The co-sleeping is just the easiest way to get more sleep but I need to think more long term!

Will take DS2 to soft play & exhaust him & start tomorrow!

Just posting to say good luck with it all! I am still co sleeping with my 23 mth old, so interested to hear how others do it!

Well turns out you were all right, DS1 is sound asleep despite just over 30 mins of yelling by his brother!!

Not sure how easy it will be when he wakes during the night - hopefully DH will be back by then, already eaten too many chocolate hobnobs....

Feel like the biggest cow alive