not repeating same mistakes!

[Babytalkobsession]

Hi all,

I have DS 2.5 and expecting DS2 next month.

DS1 really has been a terrible sleeper. All the usual things, frequent waking, ages to resettle, cat napping (20-45 mins), it really was hard.

His current pattern is no nap and only about 10 hours at night. He just doesn't seem to ever want much sleep!

Is there anything I can do when new baby arrives to start of on a better track? My best friend has just her first 6 weeks ago and already seems in a good routine following Gina Ford. Not my sort of thing, we are more baby led approach. But is it worth it for sleep?

Panicking!

DD2 is a better sleeper than DD1, not amazing, and I'm sure it's 90% luck, but this is what we did:

1. Went up to bed at 7pm every night without fail. Mainly because we were for DD1 so it made sense! We ate tea beforehand and I stayed upstairs with DD2 when she was tiny.

1. Got her to nap in bouncers / swings etc rather than on me, again, logistically I couldn't sit on the sofa for hours like I could first time round.

1. Because we already had dd1, who had a rough routine (is lunch needs to be around 12) dd2 naturally fell into a routine much earlier. So we went out every morning and she napped in the pushchair, some mornings she fell asleep before I had finished loading it up!

Like I say, I think it's luck. But I feel like I did a few things "right" this time that I didn't first time round!

I agree, I think it's luck. DS is 19mths and has never slept through, even now. DD is 7wks and is already sleeping 9.30pm-4.30am. I haven't particularly done anything with DD, she's just slept well ever since she was born!

My biggest mistake sleep wise with dc2 was assuming that she would be the same as dc1. Totally messed it up. She needed handling in a very different way.

Proceed with caution!

Sorry for not returning, and thank you for your advise! I borrowed Gina Ford's book from the library and its def not for me so will try to relax and remember they're all different...

Keeping everything crossed for a good sleeper though!