Room sharing not working!

[Notascoobie]

Need some help please! We have 2 DD (4 and 9 months) and live in a 2 bed flat. Whilst we worked on our young DD sleep which went haywire after starting solids (dairy allergy diagnosed) our older DD slept in our room, younger DD in what was big sisters room but we want to be their shared room and we (me and DH) slept on m the sofa bed.

once younger DD was consistently sleeping through the night, decided to give room sharing a go. First night went well. Early start (0540) for both but otherwise all good. And since then it’s just been getting steadily worse. Currently typing this after everyone has been awake for over 2 hours. It’s not sustainable for any of us. Does anyone have any ideas? I think one of the big issues is older DD needs a night light but it means when baby stirs, she opens her eyes - can see things including her sister and then get too stimulated. But taking away night light from elder DD feels plain wrong - she gets scared without it. So it would cause different sleep issues Help! Just need some sleep for everyone and my bed back!

Personally I'd put baby in your room and DD in her own room. Unless you've got a boxroom / study/ other bit of space which could be turned into a "room" for one of them. You are pretty limited with two bedrooms and two children with a big age gap. Good luck.

Is there a way to put a blanket around one of their beds or down the middle of the room so the light from the nightlight is blocked a bit?

A glow worm toy for the older DD? Not a night light but she would be able to light it up at any time.

Rather than block the light put the light pointing to the younger DD. When she opens her eyes she will see the light but will not be able to see her sister.

Each kid in its own room and you and DH in the lounge

Don't despair things change at different ages so just because it's not working now doesn't mean it never will.

But for now I'd phase that light out as it will always be an issue. Find a timed one or switch it off after the older one goes to sleep. Explain to her why as she's old enough to understand.

Why can’t baby go in with you until you try to wean older DD off needing a night light?

I feel 9 months might be getting a bit old for baby to not get distracted. I was sleeping with my 8 month, and as soon as I moved out of his room he was sleeping better. Other option is I think you can get a red light or something like that which some people use for newborns. I suspect it's more just your older DC moving etc though.

How about a motion sensor light so oldest can have it one when needed but it doesn't stay on?

Use the night lights that automatically switch off after 5mins

Room divider.

Why does elder child need the nightlight? Is this something you can reduce gradually? (For example its for the toilet... a big girl torch)

Thank you all so much - so many great tips. After reading through these, we reconfigured their room this eve in. so there’s now more distance between cot and bed and a wardrobe between them acting as a divider and to block out some of the light from night light.

comments on looking at why the light is needed and weaning her off it have given me some food for thought. Wonder how it affects older DD sleep. We can definitely get some dimmer or a red light.

Lets see how it goes tonight….! Still an adjustment for both I guess light or no light.

No room unfortunately. Cot doesn’t fit in our room without blocking doors no matter how we arrange furniture because it’s quite narrow and she doesn’t fit in her crib anymore . She hates co-sleeping as well.

Try an amber bulb/light for the eldest if you need to.

We have this one for DS9, who still likes a faint light on overnight. It has different settings so he uses the brightest setting for reading and the dimmest for a light on overnight. He also likes the fact that he can make it flash different colours.

LED Night Light, Smart Bedside Table Lamp, Touch Control Dimmable USB Rechargable, Portable, Color Changing RGB for Kids, Bedroom, Camping (Warm White) amzn.eu/d/c7wM74h

Is it possible to have hall light / small light with warm glow on outside the room with light coming in under the door / door ajar.
This worked for me and My siblings growing up.
Especially my brother who was the biggest scardicat I ever knew. 😆

We have a similar set up now and my LO 14months has been used to the additional light from the ground floor since birth. That's all he knows. Doesn't wake him or bother him.