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Sleep

Join our Sleep forum for tips on creating a sleep routine for your baby or toddler. Need more advice on your childs development? Sign up to our Ages and Stages newsletter here.

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Original poster

So, how do you settle a baby for naps when you've got a toddler around?

27 replies

MegBusset · 17/01/2009 21:17

DC2 isn't due til April but I like worrying about things ahead of time

DS was a terrible napper when little and would require walking round the block five times a day, or bouncing in the bouncy chair. Eventually he started cot napping around 5mo but it took a LOT of effort on my part (cuddling or rocking to sleep, rushing in to pat him when he stirred, etc) until he finally got into a half-decent nap routine.

I am assuming that this kind of effort will be impossible with a 2yo at home as well, so is it inevitable that subsequent babies will never have as good a nap routine?

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

Megglevache · 17/01/2009 21:19

SLING, SLING, SLING! [GRIN]

cONGRATULATIONS btw!

WHoops.

Megglevache · 17/01/2009 21:19

I mean of course.

twoluvlykids · 17/01/2009 21:20

they're all different, y'know...

Aitch · 17/01/2009 21:20

sling and hammock, my lady, sling and hammock...

and congrats.

heymammy · 17/01/2009 21:20

T'was a bloody nightmare with dd2 who would happily snooze through any amount of noise except the sound of dd1 (3yrs at the time) shrieking and generally making as much as possible because I made the foolish error of asking her to, "...be a bit quiet so the baby can sleep"

twoluvlykids · 17/01/2009 21:21

congrats.

mine are 14 months apart - mostly, they napped at the same time

it was bliss!!!

mazzystartled · 17/01/2009 21:21

dd surprised me by being able to drop off anywhere, anytime she fancied it

routine - nah, but plenty of naps

Megglevache · 17/01/2009 21:21

Listen to Aitch, she speaky sense.

Original poster

MegBusset · 17/01/2009 21:21

I have just bought a new sling off an MNer for this very purpose! Let's hope the new little fella will sleep in it...

OP posts:

heymammy · 17/01/2009 21:23

Sorry, that wasn't very encouraging was it. I agree with the others, tote new dc around in a sling...they can't help but drop off in there!

Original poster

MegBusset · 17/01/2009 21:23

I am hoping said sling will also be the answer to the question "How the hell do I breastfeed all day with a 2yo to look after"

OP posts:

Aitch · 17/01/2009 21:25

i've got a kari-me, dd always falls asleep in it. plus i think second time round i'm better at going 'to bed with you, my child' and just Putting Her Down Immediately, rather than farting around with nappies etc.

really recommend the hammock, though, it's great. dd1 of course bumps into it all the time but it just bounces away, settling dd2 further into sleep. and it's so cute when it starts to bounce in the middle of the night and then you hear a happy sigh and back to sleep.

Aitch · 17/01/2009 21:26

tbh i found that dd1 watched A LOT of cbeebies during those early months. mr tumble is our friend, remember.

CantSleepWontSleep · 17/01/2009 21:31

Sling and lots of wandering around the house. Ds (3 months) won't be put down for naps still, and is too big for the nice cosy position in his sling (16lbs), so I sometimes resort to feeding him to sleep and keeping him on my lap whilst dd (2.11) watches tv. Not ideal, but sort of works, and he tends to end up with more shorter naps rather than 2 or 3 decent ones.

When out and about he goes in the carrier (close baby carrier or baby bjorn) and will sleep for hours whilst I wander around town.

(Aitch - I bought an Amby, but he won't go in it ).

Megglevache · 17/01/2009 21:32

dd suffered from colic and reflux so mine was so invaluble to me and dd puked non stop so I ended up making 11 of them in all colours and prints. I had a spare everywhere, in the car, ds's buggy, my mums.

Aitch · 17/01/2009 21:34

CSWS, i'm SURE you've done this but both my dds hated it on their backs when they were youngern but loved the amby swaddled and on their sides.

Megglevache · 17/01/2009 21:39

Aitch I always wondered how big they were. It's the only thing that put me off one as I was told they are mahoosive(small house here). DD I'm sure would have slept in one- she never did in a cot.

Aitch · 17/01/2009 21:40

they;re bigger than amoses basket and smaller than a cot. less of a footprint but taller.

WhatsTheBloodyPoint · 17/01/2009 21:43

You don't have time to walk round the block five times or do all the other things you describe, but you don't have to worry "they'll never have a good nap routine".

They just do. You recognise they're tired, put them down and they sleep. They're crying but you can't attend to them for five minutes and by the time you get there, they're asleep.

Don't stress too much. I know it's worrying, but trust me MN, it'll all work out just fine. [smaile]

FiveGoMadInDorset · 17/01/2009 21:43

Agree with the hammock, DS loves his. Also agree with Aitch DD watched Cbeebies alot while I settled DS, sadlyy he only really catnapped for 20 mins or so (still does) she slept for 2 hours at a time.

hazeyjane · 17/01/2009 21:46

dd1 was 14 months when dd2 was born, and the only way I could settle her for naps was to either walk around carrying her (and swinging her) in the bag thing that goes in the Phil and Teds, or going for a walk in pushchair. She wouldn't sleep in a sling for some reason.

Megglevache · 17/01/2009 21:48

Ohhh sigh all this talk is making want another baby really badly.

CantSleepWontSleep · 17/01/2009 21:49

Same size as a crib.

Have swaddled Aitch. Not completely sure whether I've tried on his side in it or not, but have tried on his side in bed (but he always seems to roll onto his back and wake up).
He'll sleep swaddled and on his tummy in our bed at night, but that's the only way/time we've managed to put him down so far.
Might give it another shot your way this week Aitch - do you put them with their back up against the side to stop them rolling? Wouldn't that tilt the whole shebang sideways? Does it actually matter if it does .

seeker · 17/01/2009 21:51

Sling for baby, telly for toddler. And chocolate buttons on bad days.

Aitch · 17/01/2009 21:59

it doesn't matter, you're right. ours looks totally lopsided. they don't roll, they just dip into the mattress. it'd be great if it worked, i hope it does, csws.

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