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Baby disturbing older sibling's sleep

2 replies

Yamyoid · 24/03/2013 07:38

What do other people do? I'm at a loss. Ds (6) is absolutely exhausted. He looks ill because of not enough sleep and I feel frustrated and uncontrollably annoyed when I see how tired he is. His behaviour is driving me mad - hyper, naughty etc.
He's had problems sleeping for a long time but it's getting worse with dd (nearly 1). At the moment she's waking up around 5 and no matter how quiet I try to be, the slightest noise at that time wakes him, then he can't get back to sleep. Tried putting him to bed first but her cries when she goes down disturb him (I stay with her til she's asleep).
If she is with us during his bedtime routine, he seems to get worked up and takes forever to get to sleep, therefore still tired the next day.
I'm so worried about him and just wish I had my son back instead of this crazy hyper loony!

OP posts:
grants1000 · 24/03/2013 17:09

As a temporary measure, can you or your DS sleep downstairs on an airbed with your DH/partner for a while? So he can get some sleep and you can be up with your daughter without disturbing anyone, make it into an adventure, even put a tent up in the living room - I think once he's had some proper sleep you can start to go back to his room and the tiredness will be much more subdued.

How about some ear plugs or eye covers for your DS, block out the sound and light for him?

I have 2 boys, 5 years apart and I used to leave youngest in the cot and do 20 mns half and hour with my eldest to get him calm and ready for bed, even if my youngest objected it was tough. He soon learned just to entertain himself for that short time, then I would leave the eldest in his room, with a book, some soothing classical music and shut the door, then go and put the younger one to bed, story lights out etc, then got back onto the eldest room, read to him, stroke his hair, cover his bed in lavendar oil, leave a night light on and shut the door.

Also, very hard to do, but if I remained calm, did not shout or get stressed, the better is was. Get your son some dedcent sleep, then address you 1 yo sleep eg: staying with her til she's asleep, then you will all have better sleep and be happier.

Yamyoid · 24/03/2013 18:17

Thanks. What you've described re bedtime routine sounds similar to what we've just started doing. He did have one night on the couch last week so I think you're right, he'll have to have a few more to catch up.
Appreciate your input.

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