Bedtime routine with 2u2?

SuperThat1006

I don't even know if I'm pregnant yet, but I was freaking out while up with DD this morning. Help. Hold me.

::starts breathing into a bag::

TonyaCody06

Your LO will be much further along in routines and behavior in 10 months from now. Try not to base it on what you are dealing with now. Our routine was established right from the beginning and we have no issues with bedtime. Both girls eat dinner btwn 4:30-5pm then we play till 6pm. Bath starts at 6 and they play for a while in there. I get the toddler a snack while I make the bedtime bottle and put her down. Then I get playtime with my oldest till her bedtime at 8pm.

lovetheme

yeah we were still cosleeping with #1 when I got pregnant with #2 and she wasn't STTN yet. She was in her own bed and STTN by the time #2 came though!

We have a late bedtime because DH works late at night and stays home with them during the day so our times might seem a little crazy. I have a 1yr old and a 3yr old.

630-7pm: dinner

playtime..younger one usually gets a bath at this time, but not every night.

9pm: Older child gets a diaper and pajamas.

930pm: Younger child gets a diaper and pajamas.

945pm: Both kids brush their teeth. Older child gets a story and kisses while younger child plays in living room.

10pm: Older child is in bed. I spend 5 mins holding younger child usually, offer her a drink [milk..usually says no]. Younger child in bed by 10:05.

as for any night wakings..DH and I split kids. He gets the older one and I get the younger. thankfully at this point night wakings are few and far in between. Once a week if that, and usually because the older child has a nightmare. 

SuperThat1006

Thanks ladies

Do the kids share rooms?

Monsieur_et_Madame_Ha

We haven't changed DD1's bedtime routine. We just make DD2 part of it, unless she's already sleeping. Usually, I end up nursing her while DD1 has her bed time snack/bed time story.

Of course, i's much easier when DH is around, but if he's not, the only thing that really changes is that I may not hop in the bath tub with DD1 and I will quickly run to my bedroom to drop off DD2 while I rock DD1 and sing her a lullaby (it's about a minute). 

CaitlinJ22

I agree that a lot changes in 9 months, routines get easier and bedtime is more set in stone. 

I do it alone a lot so its doable. Bath every other night (at 7), DS watches a 20 minute show in his pjs with a snack and I put DD down (book, milk, paci, rocking for a minute or so) sometimes I have to go in aagin and rub her back, but she is pretty good. Then DS finishes his show and we cuddle and then brush teeth, read books, sing a song and bed. 

When they were smaller it was harder at times, but when DD was sleeping a lot I would put DS down first while she napped in the swing or was happy in her bouncy.

You find your groove  

kcisthebombdotcom

Are you opposed to some tv? I'd throw my oldest in front of the TV for 20 minutes so I could put the baby to bed.

I also worked on the baby whisperer method of putting baby to bed sleepy but awake so she learned how to fall asleep on her own at a very young age. The way it works is you put baby in their crib still awake, but when they're falling asleep. If LO fusses, you provide comfort-rub back, sing, etc but don't pick up. If baby cries, you can pick them up/rock/nurse/whatever provides comfort, but when they're calm again you put them back in their bed and repeat. She took to it pretty quickly and was putting herself to sleep within a few weeks. Helped immensely.

My kids shared a room since birth with no issues.

SuperThat1006

Thanks, ladies!

I feel pretty good about this cycle, so that helps ease my mind.