sleep when baby sleeps ?

[duchessofdulwich]

Just wondering if anyone has some advice. Ive got a one week old and a daughter who is two years and nines months. The toddler as just dropped her afternoon nap. I know people say with a newborn nap when baby naps but when you have other children to care for how can i make this possible ?

[Mellors]

It not possible, sorry. I remember thinking that the only time I would be able to sleep when the baby slept when I had No 2 and then No 3 was when I was driving. Not ideal. The only alternative is to go to bed at 7pm the odd night I think.

[Fuschia]

Other people to help with the toddler

Try to doze on the sofa if your living room is child proofed

Give up on that idea and instead go to bed at 8.30 pm

[Mellors]

Oh, and try and make your other half/a willing friend take them all away for an hour or so at the weekend and catch up then.

[snowboarder]

Invest in a couple of mornings of nursery (sanity saving!)? Otherwise, no, sorry, not an option!! It is only when you have a second child that you realise one was quite easy really!!

[Pickle]

Agree with the others, not really possible. Although that said I never did it when I only had one child, I can't bring myself to sleep during the day!

When I had #2 I just used to go to bed earlier and have hubby bring the baby to me for any feeds she needed before he went to bed. She never took a bottle, but if you have a baby that will it's great to be able to delegate any late evening/dream feeds to your partner if he is happy to do so.

Congrats on your new arrival x

[arrozdoce]

I let my nearly three yr old have her rest time on sofa watching cbeebies while baby slept in the afternoon... I snuggled up on sofa too, and would have a lovely hours(or longer) doze...in fact, I still do this, two years on!

[The Nappy Lady]

Was going to suggest same re maybe toddler would watch cbeebies while you nap? Just make room child proof & gated if need be.

Also we found we could make ours have an afternoon nap if we pay down with them. If need be tell a story "from your mouth" & be firm about "we are all taking a nap now". Even with a 8"7 year old we manage this sometimes & certainly with a 3-4 year old. They sometimes wriggle & fight it but if cosy with you in a dark room they usually give in - our mine do anyway....maybe try to have really busy mornings with physical activity if you can manage it to wear the toddler out - hard at this stage I know...but soft play, toddler gym, park etc??

Good luck...hang in there xxx

[KatsuQueen]

I have the same gap and it is hard. Especially as I sent my older one to nursery for 2 days a week so I could have a break, and he would sleep for up to TWO hours at nursery. Completely refused to sleep at home, and wanted my attention all the time because of jealousy issues.

What really helped was my husband forcing me to go to bed everynight at 8:30 for a couple of months. Basically gave up any kind of "normal" adult social life!