Moms of 2yr old and newborn w/no help

akaoct2005

How in the world do you put your 2yr old down for nap and bedtime with a newborn?  My DH works late, so he won't be home for bedtime and I'm likely going to be alone for naps, too.  I still have a while before DD#2 arrives, but this is one of my biggest fears.  My older DD needs some attention at bedtime/won't go right down, so how do I do this?

Thanks so much for any advice!

LittleMamaB

My oldest isn't quite two yet, but I make sure that the baby is fed, changed, and comfortable and he goes into his swing or bouncy seat while I do the oldest's bed time routine. If the baby starts to fuss, I just try to wrap up the bed time routine as quickly as possible. The baby has been known to cry for a few minutes, but that's bound to happen. Mine have both adjusted rather well.

shopgirl78

I'd start finding ways to get her to go down without so much attention. ?My DH owns his own business and is doesn't always get to come home for bed time; however he new it was a tough time for me and always tried to come if even for a few mins. ?I let DD watch a movie and nursed DS to sleep and then put her to bed. ?DS has consistently went to be earlier to that works. ?I think part of it you will get from the temperment of your baby

HottieHousewife

Not a Mom of 2 yet but I am planning on becoming one and this is one of my biggest fears as well. I can only say that you're not alone. DH works late as well and I will be in a very similar situation. GL!

finallymarried

I dont have 2 but i have been a nanny for a year and the boys are 9 mos apart and i have had him since he was 4 mos and mine 13. U will easily get into the swing of things, u just have to let one sit(usually the immobile one) a minute while u tend to the other one. I put mine down first and then the younger one and mine required more tending to bc my employers did cio at 4 months.  newborns are easy about sleeping for a while since it is all they do at first. feeding time will be harder esp if you breastfeed

HasteTheDay

I stressed a lot about this at first, but it was easier than I thought it was going to be. Like some other posters said, I just made sure that the little one was fed and changed and comfortable (preferably asleep!) before taking DD up to bed.

Thankfully, #2 was a pretty easy newborn. If I had had these two girls the other way around- It would have been a completely different story! #1 was and still is just nuts. ?

Ciarrai

DD#1 was 20 months when DD#2 was born.  I did have DH around most nights, but not at naps.  I just tried to keep up our normal routine.  Admittedly, DD#1's schedule was adjusted sometimes depending on DD#2.  I tried to have the time then to give DD#1 attention either with DD#2 reading books or snuggling with us or with DD#2 asleep somewhere - bouncer, swing, pnp, etc.  I also worked really hard to get the girls on roughly the same schedule as soon as possible with DD#2 taking her afternoon nap at the same time as DD#1 and going to bed at the same time.  That helps a lot.  If nothing else, just wait and see.  You'll have to be flexible, but it does work itself out. 

crazynervous

I bring the baby into the room with us and we sit on the floor and read a couple stories. I then lay baby on the floor and tuck DS in bed and give hugs and kisses. 

UGAbride

Well naptime really isn't an issue, I just make sure the baby is comfortable (fed, changed, and in the swing or wherever) and take DS up to his room - he doesn't require any attention to go down for a nap....many times we are just getting back home at naptime and both are asleep as I pull in - in that case, I just bring the carseat in the house and then carry DS #1 up to his crib and lay him down.

I'm rarely alone for bedtime, but I try to get the baby down first and then put my toddler to bed with his usual routine. 

emilykristene2006

I do exactly what crazynervous does. DD used to take more time to put down, but now that we have fit DS into that routine it goes much quicker. And smoother actually.  DS also likes to lay on the floor and listen to me read and sing to them.

DH had to give DD a bath the other night while I was very sick and off to the ER. He brought DS in the bathroom in the bouncey. DS started crying towards the end, but it worked out.

GL! It will take time to get a new routine going, but everything will be fine.

Zenya

DS doesn't nap anymore (mixed blessing).  The couple of times I've had to put him to bed alone though I either leave DD in the swing asleep.  Or put her in a wrap if she's awake.  It just works itself out.