How on earth do you do this?

lew0509

DS #2 is 3 weeks old and has decided that sleeping is not going to happen. DH went back to work today, so I'm on my own. I have no idea how to do this. I can't always wear #2 because then I can't lift my son or sit and play with him. If I could just get him to sleep or take a nap I would be fine, but even that is a challenge. DS #1 won't leave my side and screams whenever I have #2 in my arms and he wants to be held. If I try and put him down, #1 stands next to me and whines, steals his paci, and pokes him. Not exactly ideal sleeping conditions. #1 is just so attached to me that I can't do anything with his brother, let alone cook/clean/shower/eat. I'm drowning here and I haven't slept in forever. Any tips on how to make this work?

etude de la vie

At this age I was using the swing a lot. I also would sneak away to out the baby asleep when she was watching TV, using the iPad, or really into a toy and wouldn't notice I was gone. When he was sleeping I would give dd 109% of my attention doing quiet activities like play doh, coloring, painting in the bathroom while I took a shower.... I never announced I was going to put him to bed. Once I did she was banging on the door crying mama the entire time. 

My DS took 5, 30 min naps a day until 6 months old! I learned that he was just going to have to adapt and sleep anywhere. We did a lot of car rides and I would go through a drive thru for DD while he slept (she got a 49 cent ice cream or something). We practiced a lot of shhh if a door was closed, white noise machines seems to help cover the toddler sounds too.

As for touching.... I had the PNP set up for him because she loved to poke him or throw a toy at him. I also had his tummy time mat and she wasn't allowed to touch him or the mat. We had one instance where she saw a toy across the room and just ran for him running over him at 2 months old so we had a new rule to go around the blanket. It helped but she still would steal his paci when I wasn't looking.

 It will get better! Things got tons better around 6 months! From 0-6 months it was a "good day" if one load of laundry was done and the dishwasher was unloaded.. I never cooked, or if I did it was after the kids went to bed for the next day. 

LoveActually4

We are in the same situation! It's rough mama, I feel for you!

I try to do lots of walks because ds2 will sleep in his stroller and ds1 loves to get out and burn energy.bi just bundle ds2 really well then cover his carseat with blankets.

Yesterday, ds1 would start hitting ds2 and I very hard when I nursed him and was throwing toys so I had to put him in his crib with toys and books and I nursed ds2 in the glider in DS1s room while I kept him company in his crib. He didn't seem to mind and it was safer.

Good luck!

laura1

I am in the same boat now.  DD#2 will only happening held or in the car.  I wear her all around the house - I can still pick up another kid that way, but not both.  I was spoiled because DD#1 was the easiest baby ever - fell asleep on her own in her swing/bouncy, and I didn't have to schedule naps for her until she was 4ish months old. DS was 15 months when she was born so I would set up her seat on the other side of the Baby gate so he couldn't get to her.  when I started scheduling naps for her, I would put DS in the PnP with toys while I ran up and put her in her crib (but I was lucky that I could justput her down and she would fall asleep on her own.)

It is hard at the beginning, but you will figure out what works!  GL! 

tammymommy

I would highly recommend the book "Babywise" for 2 Baby Sleep Site for 1. I used Babywise ideas for my DS1, he was sleeping through the night napping well by 7 weeksotherwise, I might not have wanted to try for 2 when he was just 9 mos. old. I'd start sleep training 2 now, putting him down before he's asleep or overtored fussy!, you'll be so glad.

I now have a 2yo 3yo who sleep 1112 hours almost every night nap 23 hours in the afternoons, usually w/out incident. Since I'm preggo w/ 3 work from home during nap time, this is priceless!

Remember, it doesn't hurt babies or toddlers to cry for a while in a safe place, either! Much better for them to learn to cope fall asleep on their own and have a wellrested mama than to all be overtired miserable!

MrsEllis10

I don't have the sleeping issues with my girls and #2 sleeps wherever . I did have a bit of jealously in the beginning . when I would hold Dd2 and DD1 wanted to be held I would just say "it's Emily's turn" and when I put down Dd2 I would immediately pick up DD1 and say Madelines turn and we do something fun. This took a few days but she got it . now she sits and waits patiently for her turn . I don't put DD2 in a place that DD1 can't see her or get to her because that just makes it more appealing to her . if I leave the room of course it's different but most of the time DD1 follows me anyways . 

hang in there it gets easier . Just try and involve your older lo with younger lo a lot . let him help . ask him to get the pacifier  or a toy, etc . DD1 goes give DD2 her pacifier now if she starts fussing and says "it's ok sista" it's cute . 

jf198400

Will DS2 sleep in a swing, stroller, or carseat?  I was on my own at 3weeks and tried to get into a normal routine.  DS2 would fall asleep in the carseat and then I'd just hook it into the stroller and push him around while I chased DD1 on the playground, or went to music class, gym class, etc.  The key to my sanity was getting out somewhere everyday.  I think it also helps eliminate some of the jealousy for the older child, if they are actively engaged in fun activities.  As far as showering goes- I think you need to do it at night when your DH is home and older DS is in bed.  Best advice for eating, is keep a lot of easy foods on hand like cereal bars, string cheese, crackers- anything that you can grab and eat one-handed.  I often drank slimfast just so I could have something quick and easy.  I always found dinner prep challenging (still do lol).  I recommend cooking a large meal on the weekend when your DH is around to help, and then having a few nights of leftovers.  Also use your crockpot so you can prep dinner during the day (preferably when older DS is napping).  Finally as far as getting baby to sleep goes, have you tried different places.  My LO didn't like the bassinet but slept awesome in the Rocknplay.