Putting #2 on a schedule?

Beckypooh09

With DS1 we just went with the flow. He was a great sleeper and a very easy baby all around. DS2 is a different story. We're dealing with a bit of gas with him but he's doing much better lately. Nap time has been a huge PITA because he will rarely take a pacifier and then wants to comfort feed and we're FFing so some times I end up just having to make him a 1oz bottles just to get him down for a nap.

He's finally starting to sleep longer and I've been going with the flow again but his flow doesn't always go with when we'd like to get out of the house in the morning which is a problem because I NEED to get DS1 out of the house or he'll drive me crazy. Our playdates are usually at 10am but this is when DS2 is usually waking up for the day. I'd like to try getting him on a schedule but I'm wondering if I should just wait till he's sleeping 12 hours at night and just wake him up early on the days we're gonna be out of the house at a certain time?

I'd rather feed him right before we leave for our playdates because some times he takes a while to finish his bottles and obviously DS1 still needs to be watched carefully while we're out. Putting him in the stroller to feed DS2 for 20ish minutes is far from ideal as I'm sure you already know! lol.

For some reason even just after having a baby 21 months ago I still feel clueless! Maybe it's the lack of sleep. Any suggestions are appreciated!

kcisthebombdotcom

I noticed when I went to playgroups with the kids, other moms were super helpful with my oldest. I do story time at the library a lot, and if he managed to open the door to run off, one of the other moms by the door would usually grab the door/his hand. I'd just choose activities like that (instead of going somewhere like an unfenced playground where he could go running into the street).

I would also feed baby while I wore her in a carrier so I always had an arm free to grab my oldest with.

I would not attempt to put a 1 month old on a schedule.

NavyPilotWife

A one month old is too young to be on a schedule.  I try to "never wake a sleeping baby," but there were a few times where I had to wake DD2, so we could get out the door in the morning.  Do you have a baby carrier?  DD2 was a very cuddly baby and thrived on being in the Ergo.  I could feed her in there and still be able to chase DD1, if necessary.  Most of the time, DD2 would go right to sleep in the Ergo.  She still takes the majority of her morning naps there because we are usually out of the house.

Beckypooh09

Yes I love carrying DS2 cause it makes everything so much easier. He's napping in the carrier now because I couldn't get him down in his crib fast enough. If he gets over tired I have to make him a small bottle to calm him down.I have a moby but it's too hot to use it right now so I got a cheapy from walmart. I'm going to return it though and get something nicer. Gonna be another 2+ months until I can use my moby since I live in FL and it stays warm for quite a while. How do you like the ergo? That's the one I'm leaning toward.

Could I try to move his bed time earlier? That's really the only problem. I don't really need him on a schedule for the day. Just wake up a little earlier so I don't disrupt his night time sleeping.

kcisthebombdotcom

Beckypooh09:

Yes I love carrying DS2 cause it makes everything so much easier. He's napping in the carrier now because I couldn't get him down in his crib fast enough. If he gets over tired I have to make him a small bottle to calm him down.I have a moby but it's too hot to use it right now so I got a cheapy from walmart. I'm going to return it though and get something nicer. Gonna be another 2+ months until I can use my moby since I live in FL and it stays warm for quite a while. How do you like the ergo? That's the one I'm leaning toward.

Could I try to move his bed time earlier? That's really the only problem. I don't really need him on a schedule for the day. Just wake up a little earlier so I don't disrupt his night time sleeping.

You should try the ergo sport. I wore DD when it was warm out in it, and it wasnt all that bad.

In terms of adjusting bedtime, it might work, but messing with bedtime might mess with sleep overnight. If he's sleeping poorly now, that's probably a moot point.

NavyPilotWife

I LOVE my Ergo.  I can't say enough wonderful things about it.  My toddler likes it too.

What time does your baby go to bed?  You could try moving bedtime earlier by 15 minute increments every few days and see what happens.