Putting infant and toddler to bed

[nancybotwin]

Hello wise ones,

I need some help. DH is entering his busy season and most nights won't be home until late. DD (almost 4) goes to bed at 7 and I'd like to start putting DS (9 weeks) down around then too. How do you do bedtime when there is just one adult?

[bunch]

I put dd2 down first and let dd1 watch sprout during the 10 mins it takes to rock/nurse the baby. I don't bathe the baby when it's just me, but probably will start when she can sit in the tub with her sister.

[vanillacourage]

DS1 was that age when DS2 was born.  I would set him up for 20 minutes or so in front of the TV/computer and go put DS2 down, then come back to start the bedtime routine with DS1.

[whitemerlot]

My older one is happy to wait in his room and read books while I get my younger one to bed. He just turned 4.

[dbsk8dance]

Same as the other ladies. No bath, tv for older one, baby down then older.

[hocus2]

TV is what always worked for us. 'd turn on a show for my older child, get the baby settled and then put my older one in bed. 

With a baby you could have him/her tag along to the older one's bedtime for a while. That would work well if your older one can dress themselves. I'd just keep a little seat for the baby near by if you need a pair of hands.

[turtlegirl]

I frequently do bedtime by myself since DH is in school 2-3 nights a week.

When DS2 was a newborn/younger infant I did what others have said and put on a quick show for DS1 to watch while I tended to the baby. Then did DS1's bedtime routine with him.

[elcjet]

My son is 3 1/2 and DD is 16 months....when DD was an infant, I did 1 of 3 things.  #1, got them ready for bed together and kept DD in a travel swing, schlepping her from the bathroom to DS's room.....and I would nurse her while I read to DS.  #2, I put on Disney Jr in my bedroom and let DS watch some tv for 20 minutes while I put his sister to bed.  Or #3, I get them both in their jammies and then have DS read quietly in his room while I put DD to bed, and then I return to him to read books afterwards.

It's challenging, for sure, but has been much easier since DS has gotten older.  My DH is thankfully home at nights now, so we each take a kid, but I'm glad I figured out how to handle them both before.  

[dlphndoc]

My son is 2.5 and my daughter is 3 months. She doesn't sleep in her own room yet so my routine is a little different from everyone else's. I put DD in her crib watching her mobile while I give DS a bath & get ready for bed. He picks out books and stuffed animals while I give DD a bath & get her ready for bed. We all read a couple of books together, say prayers, and then DS gets in bed. Then I nurse DD and get her to sleep. She sleeps in a bassinet downstairs with me until I'm ready to go to bed, then she comes up to bed with me. Once DD is able to sit up on her own, I'll bathe them together.

[6fsn]

When my youngest was bitty, I'd take him with me and put the 4 and 1.5 yo to bed. Then I'd put the baby to bed. Now I put the 1 yo down and go back for the other two. They just play while I'm gone.

[dragonfly08]

DD #1 was just about 3 when DD #2 was born. I could easily get her involved with a book, video, or activity while I put #2 to bed. If either needed a bath I did that earlier; it was never part of our bedtime routine.

[DarcyLongfellow]

Usually TV for the older one.

I've also had the baby sit with me for DD1's bath/teeth brushing/book reading. Then I leave her alone in her bed with some books while I nurse the baby to sleep. Then I come back to DD1 and give her some cuddle time without her sister there. She takes a long time to fall asleep anyway, so this doesn't really delay sleep time.

[ijack]

at almost 4 your DD should be able to entertain herself in her room while you nurse the baby and put her down. We would put pjs on, brush teeth, and read books together, then DD1 would go to her room and play and I'd nurse DD2 and plop her in the crib.

[meltoine]

I do bath with both, then DS1 dances around naked while I dress DS2. Then he sits in his bouncer or rolls on the floor while I dress DS1. Then I set up DS1 with some toys in the playroom while I nurse DS2 and out him down.

Then DS1 and I sit in the playroom and read a couple of books, brush teeth, then I nurse him and put him in bed.

But my guys go to bed an hour apart, DS2 at 7 and DS1 at 8.

[meltoine]

I should also say we had an adjustment period when DS1 was learning to leave us alone while I got DS2 down and I came here asking the same question.

[nancybotwin]

Thank you everyone. DS doesn't yet go into his own bed easily - he still likes to sleep on me - but I think this is probably doable with a little training for both DD and DS.

[nancybotwin]

Thank you everyone. DS doesn't yet go into his own bed easily - he still likes to sleep on me - but I think this is probably doable with a little training for both DD and DS.

[h]

I nurse the baby to sleep while I read to/with the older kids, put the baby in his crib, then lay down with the older ones. None of my kids are easy to get to sleep, so keeping everybody together is more efficient than putting them to sleep sequentially. I do bedtime alone 3-4 nights a week, but I still suck at it.

[ryry]

DD1 was 2.5 when DD2 was born, and when DD2 was 3 weeks old DH had to travel a bunch. Since then, he's also had a lot of late nights, so I'm on my own quite a bit. I've always laid with DD1 to get her to sleep (she sleeps in a full size bed), so I just brought the baby with me. When she was still a sleepy newborn I'd put her in the RNP and she'd fall asleep, but once that phase was over (so sad!) I would read two stories to both of them, turn off the lights, and then nurse DD2 while DD1 fell asleep. DD2 will usually fall asleep too, so once they're both asleep I just move DD2 to her crib.

It's also how I discovered that they sleep in the exact same positions. I wish I could get a good picture of this. It melts me a little every time I see it

[greekypie]

I'll let you know when I figure it out

Right now it takes 30-45 min to get DD (12w) down. It coincides exactly with my son's bath/story time.

[nancybotwin]

Ok, I did DS's bath and am nursing him while DD watches Sesame Street. It helped that she wanted dinner at 4:45! I'm not sure what we will do on nights when we get home later, but let's see if night 1 is a success. Hoping I can get DS down and asleep in his crib. Thanks for the advice and encouragement!

[nancybotwin]

Update: I did it! DS is sleeping in his crib. DD is in bed. Both got a bath. I am going to ignore the act that DD thought using water colors to paint her body while I was putting DS down was a good idea. At least it was only water colors. Kinda feeling like a rock star.

[zeewifeandmama]

You should feel like a rockstar!! It's a BIG deal when it happens! Here's to continued success

[docholly]

Since my toddler already has a good routine and is more flexible, he goes down second. My infant get sleepier/crankier fast. So, I give my older son an activity to do like puzzles, a toy, or a t.v. show, and I put the baby to bed first. He falls asleep within 10-15 mins while eating/rocking in a chair. Then, I just go about the routine with my toddler.