How to manage 12 wo DS2's sleep needs with 2.5 yo DS1 in tow...

[MrsRadicchio]

DS1 wasn't a great sleeper and DS2 seems to be going the same way...

DS2 gets tired after about an hour of being awake. I usually sling him in the house so I don't have to leave DS1 but he seems to be fighting this more and more and also sleeping about 45 minutes in the sling. He sleeps longest in the buggy but I don't feel I can routinely take him out with DS1 about.

He doesn't sleep in the cot at all at the moment (co-sleeps at night, I am creating a lot of rods aren't I?!) and I am unsure how to get him into it without leaving DS1 alone while I soothe DS2.

Also, he doesn't really do the drowsy stage for being put down drowsy but awake.

So, how do other people manage? Do I have to get him into a nap routine? And if so, how?? I am a real softie when it comes to crying etc and never really managed any of this with DS1 until he was a lot older.

I'm really worried about DS2 getting overtired though, and feeling a bit low today about the fact I am failing him in not managing to meet his need for sleep. The fact this feels so reminiscent of days with DS1 makes me feel that it is me who is the problem.

Well, I'm on my 3rd child and I just follow the needs of the older children and ds sleeps on the go, or wherever he has rolled to on the floor. He knows what he is doing. He did it in the womb after all.

Also, you're not supposed to put the baby in a room with no people in it until at least 6months.

Thanks for your reply. I wish I had one of those! Mine seems to get overtired quickly and then won't sleep!

I could've written this op myself! No advice but hoping someone can help us hoth out. My personal "rod" is the car seat. I sit and rock rock rock dd2 in the car seat for her naps. They're not even supposed to spend that long in the car seat but like your ds she won't fall asleep on her own and spending ages in the bedroom trying to settle her in her cot isn't an option with toddler about. At least I can rock the car seat in living room while dd1 plays.

I think I need to get tough as I can't go in like this. Did CC with dd1 at 6mo but obviously dd2 is still too young. I need something age appropriate that'll do the trick.

It's hard when they don't just drop off to sleep like everyone else's babies seem to isn't it? I've been feeling like such a failure lately too.

Bumping for you (and me! )

I had the same problems, 22 months between dd now 2.4 and ds now 7 months.

Over the weeks ds turned into a half hour napper and the only place he would do that reliably was the sling or pram.

I ended up buying a pram rocking device from eBay. Cant remember what it was called but something to do with dragons den. Was a life saver for me, especially over the winter.

Ds has to nap wherever I am going with dd but it has got better over the months.
Hth

Am in similar situation with 9 week old and 3 year old. People kept recommending a sling. Got one, it didn't help as she didn't like it! I bought a second hand baby swing & it has saved my sanity! I watch out for her being tired, or if I've been distracted with dd1 I use awake time ( seems to be about 1hr15mins at moment) and then pop her in the swing. It usually sends her off within about 15 mins. If it doesn't work it's usually because she has wind or something else is bothering her.

I also use White noise or ocean sounds if she's a but restless. Pop it next to the swing and it helps calm her down, is particularly helpful if she's a bit overtired.

What I am particularly struggling with now is early evening/ bedtime. Everything is happening at once, I.e bath, bed for them both, feed dd2 (ebf). I am keen to have at least that part of the day more sorted, what are you doing?