Bedtime routines with (almost) 3 year old and baby - when I’m on my own!

[TwoGirlsAndOneDog]

I would love to know what others do at bedtime when they have a toddler (almost 3 yrs) and a baby (7 months) - and you need to do both of their bedtimes by yourself? What order do you go in? Do you try to do both bedtimes at the same time? They both have such different needs atm!

I used to get the baby off to sleep even if they would wake up a bit later, then sort the toddler and then the baby again.

I used to get them both bathed annd into PJs together, read a story all together then put toddler to bed, feed baby after toddler in bed.

Mine has changed as time has gone on. I always put the older one to bed first when baby was small as I used to feed baby whilst reading stories to her brother. This went on for a while and then it changed into me reading them both stories (well whilst baby crawled around and got into mischief really) but still put older one to bed first as he could go to sleep himself where younger one feeds to sleep and often would take a few attempts at transfer etc.
Since youngest has been about 1.5, I now read to them both in my bed and older one has the choice of playing/reading quietly in his room or staying with me whilst I feed to sleep and put to bed younger one. He always chooses that latter and lies in the dark in my bed waiting for me! (Sometimes he does fall asleep if he’s really tired and I carry him through). Then we just go to his bed and tuck him in goodnight.
I frequently do bedtimes on my own and tbh I find it often goes smoother than when my husband is here 😂

It’s a bit ropey, but I do this with exactly the same ages…..

Both in the bath together

Baby out and into her PJs in the bathroom while the big one plays in the bath

Big one come out, dried and put into PJs while the little one screams (tips on avoiding this bit welcome)

Big one listens to an audio book while I feed the baby and put her to bed (thankfully this is quick for us)

Stories and bed for the big one .

I dont bath them on the nights I am doing bedtime alone (or if they need a bath I do it earlier in the day), I get them ready one after the other, in whichever order makes sense at the time. then we all go upstairs, and I lie with one in each arm and cuddle to sleep. helps that they sleep in a king size bed with me in the middle

Thanks. What does the toddler do whilst you’re getting the baby to sleep? Feel like mine would distract the baby and want to play!

This sounds like us - just toddler monkeys around a lot!

I don't have it fixed. I go with who is most likely to fall asleep quickly (theoretically!). This has changed and shifts as they age. I used to have the newborn cluster feeding on my lap whilst reading and singing to my toddler. Then I took turns feeding them both to sleep. Sometimes that's still the case now. Other nights I don't attempt anything beyond PJs until the baby has dropped off then stay with toddler until asleep. I do bedtime alone most nights. It's fine. You get into a routine/ideas of what works in different scenarios.

Keep the baby in a sling, do routine for older one as normal and then sort baby

I have a 3yo and a 7 month old. I usually try to get the three year old to sleep first. Bath both at the same time, baby out first and dried / changed. Popped in a safe place while I then dry and dress 3yo. Stories in the 3yo room and pop him into bed and hope he falls asleep soon. Then into other room for milk and another quick story for baby. If baby needs an earlier bedtime then I leave 3yo in his room with his yoto on/ books to look at and then pop back in after I’ve done a quick feed and settle of baby to sleep.

Sometimes I have to go in between the two rooms for check ins but I don’t think I’ve ever had a time yet when they’ve both been upset and needed me at the same time.

Although I’m massively helped by the fact baby will usually self settle in cot after a feed, or if super tired will feed to sleep but then easily transfer.