NEED 7mo to self settle - it's crippling me

[MaverickSnoopy]

Help! Please help. 7mo was napping in buggy really well but then stupid me tried to get her to nap in her cot. Fine at first for a few days and then she just stopped napping and consequently giving up night time sleep.

So now she'll pretty much only nap in the sling or in my arms. The latter is only possible at night. The sling isn't an option anymore - I have sciatica and tendonitis in my ankles and today I put my back out with her in the sling.

I want to sleep train but I don't know how! I have tried but each time I do, my 2 year old has caused merry hell. I have put her in her room with lots of toys but after a few mins she opens her door, reaches over the stair gate and opens babies door and starts shouting. The other day she did a wee on the floor. I tried pick up put down and retreating to 2yo room to play with her but every time I went back into baby she started screaming the house down etc. In the end baby ended up getting hysterical where I was trying to break free from 2yo and it took me so long. I can't really do anything hugely consistent either as I have my friends DC 2 days a week. I don't have anyone who can take 2yo during nap time although DH is here at weekends.

It can't go on like this. Physically and mentally I am broken.

How on earth do I approach this?

I totally sympathise, it's hard enough when you've only got one to look after! I haven't really got any good advice but didn't want to read and run. My dc was a really bad sleeper at night and naps from 4-8months and then it started to get better. When it got really bad at 4.5mths we hired a sleep consultant whose method was basically cry it out while I sat next to the cot saying shh for all naps and bedtime. It didn't work for us but apparently for most babies it works in 3 days/nights. So maybe try to schedule 3 days where you or dh does sleep training while the other looks after your dd?

Hopefully someone else will come along with better advice soon! The other thing that kept me going was coffee and chocolate

I hired a sleep consultant.
We arent there yet but its money well spent AFAIC. they can help with your family set up and give advice for suitable training.
It sounds really tough for you

I let my two year old watch TV for a while when I was getting the baby to sleep. It was only for a month or so and kept him away consistently

Is there anyone that could have your 2yr old for a sleep over for a few nights so you can crack sleep training?