Two Under 2

Bedtime- What to do with baby while putting toddler to bed

I've been struggling with bedtime since my little one was born 3 months ago.  So far I've just been putting him in his swing while I quickly run upstairs to put my toddler to bed.  I hate rushing bedtime with her, and I miss being able to spend quality time with her before bed, but I feel like I have to rush down to be with the baby since he is by himself.  Any suggestions to make this process a little smoother?  Thanks!
Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker

Re: Bedtime- What to do with baby while putting toddler to bed

  • No advice but I'm anxious to see what everyone else has to say!

     Fortunately, DH is home at night so he will be able to help with bedtime but I'm scared to death of dealing with DS's naptime!


     

     

  • As long as baby is in a safe place (i.e. buckled in the swing, or put in his crib, or playing on the floor), then being upstairs with your older one for some time is ok. Not sure how long your bedtime routine is with your older one? For us, our routine is about 20 minutes, and I think that's fine to be away from baby.

    The other option is to see if you can get baby to bed before your toddler? That's what we do right now, deal with baby's naps/bedtime first, then deal with the toddlers.

    -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    imageimage
    imageimage
  • Loading the player...
  • I believe i put baby to bed first then put my toddler to bed. Baby would cry but i knew he was ok where i left him for 5 min. I also remember moving alot of the bedtime routine to the living room like book time and song time on the couch. So i could hold baby too. Then take toddler to bed singing one song and turning night light and sound machine on.
  • I had a projection mobile in his crib and that kept him content about 10 min. I would cuddle with DD and when he would start to fuss I would kiss her goodnight. 

    When he got older I had a cloud b turttle & lady bug stars  projection and he would play/look up at the stars in her room while we said goodnight. 

    Now both kids turn on their turtle/lady bugs in their own rooms and it's the cue for night time. They crawl into their beds and off to sleep.  

    Warning No formatter is installed for the format bbhtml
  • Also if baby was going to bed first  I had DD play quietly in the hallway with the iPad with his door mostly open. If I shut his door she would pound on it yelling mama 
    Warning No formatter is installed for the format bbhtml
  • for us the baby goes to bed first around 7pm. I do his bath around 630pm then feed him. If dh isn't here then I quickly do his bath upstairs while the big boys either play on the ipad or watch a show. Then I bring the baby back downstairs to feed him.
    BFP 12/23/07, M/C 1/25/08 Lilypie Fourth Birthday tickers Lilypie Third Birthday tickers Lilypie First Birthday tickers
  • imagejuliane2004:

    For us, our routine is about 20 minutes, and I think that's fine to be away from baby.

    The other option is to see if you can get baby to bed before your toddler? That's what we do right now, deal with baby's naps/bedtime first, then deal with the toddlers.

    I think I am going to have to go with option 2!  I still haven't gotten my toddlers routine down below 45 minutes to an hour!  This is bad, right?  ;)

    Warning No formatter is installed for the format bbhtml
  • When DD2 was a newborn we just included her in the bedtime routine.  DH held her in the rocker while I read DD1 her books and said goodnight.  If DH wasn't home I brought DD2 in the room and put her in the bouncer.  Now that DD2 is older and has an earlier bedtime, I put her to bed first and wait until she is sleeping and then DD1 and I go in and read her books (they share a room).

    photo a42489fa-98a3-436b-b31b-266d7d204e5d_zpsde5f201a.jpg
    my read shelf:
    Molly's book recommendations, liked quotes, book clubs, book trivia, book lists (read shelf)Follow Me on Pinterest
    Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker
    Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker
    Anniversary
  • When I am alone I put baby to bed first and DD sits on my bed and watches tv or plays with the ipad then I put her to bed.  It can be tricky somes times but DH travels alot so I have to figure it out.  I will give her a bath earlier too when DS is sleeping in the swing so when he awake I don't have to be away that long

    Lilypie Second Birthday tickersLilypie First Birthday tickers Image and video hosting by TinyPic Image and video hosting by TinyPic
  • When DD was born we just included her in our bedtime routine. In the beginning she stayed up later than DS. If I was nursing DD, DH would read DS a story. If not DH would hold DD in the rocker and I would read DS a story. If DH wasn't home I would bring the bouncer for DD to lay in while I read to DS.

    After a while DD started going to be before DS. At that point we still did story time together (usually in the master bedroom) and DS would watch a show while we put DD down. 

    Eventually they started going to bed at the same time. DH and I do bedtime together, but because the routine is done with both kids it's not impossible when one of us is not home.

    Lilypie First Birthday tickers Lilypie Second Birthday tickers
  • Thanks so much for all of the advice!  I'll definitely try out some of your ideas.
    Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker
  • This content has been removed.
  • I quickly got them on the same schedule. First day home my nb went to sleep at 9 and so did my 2 year old. 1 week later they went to sleep like clock work together. Their night time routine. Dinner, play time, bath time, night time lotion, story and bed. Their both asleep by 9 everynight. Going to do the same with #3.
This discussion has been closed.
Choose Another Board
Search Boards
"
"