BTDT Moms, how bad is sleep deprivation with 2 kids compared to 1?

I remember being borderline delirious when I was a new mom with DS. The first 2 months were really bad. I never got more than 2-3 hours of sleep at a time. I'd try to sleep whenever DS slept but the broken sleep was just terrible. I'm assuming now that I will have both a toddler AND a newborn, it will be a lot worse.

Is the sleep deprivation a lot worse with 2 kids compared to just 1 newborn?

Re: BTDT Moms, how bad is sleep deprivation with 2 kids compared to 1?

Sorry to admit this but yes it is. When you have 1 you can nap together but not when you have 2. I used to take naps when the kids were watching tv, it is amazing how a quick 22 minute nap can hold you for a few hours.

Re: BTDT Moms, how bad is sleep deprivation with 2 kids compared to 1?

Much worse.

Like the previous poster said, with 2 you can't nap because your older one is always on the go and still needs you to be "on" all day. even if your older one naps, the naps may not coincide with your newborn's schedule.

And, in my specific situation, my 2 1/2 year old now has worse sleep issues than he did when he was 1. He now wakes up 2-3 times a night also, so between him and my DD, I basically don't sleep. ever.

Re: BTDT Moms, how bad is sleep deprivation with 2 kids compared to 1?

I agree with the other posters. It is MUCH worse....
Now I am PG with #3... I am so tired all the time and never get to nap . I also don't get a full nights sleep ever. It is rough I won't lie!

Re: BTDT Moms, how bad is sleep deprivation with 2 kids compared to 1?

Terrible.

My younger Child is over a year and I still feel like a walking zombie.

It seems like between the two of them someone is always up.

Re: BTDT Moms, how bad is sleep deprivation with 2 kids compared to 1?

Definitely a lot worse. Sorry.

But you'll get through it.

Re: BTDT Moms, how bad is sleep deprivation with 2 kids compared to 1?

It is awful. Like a PP said one always seems to be up. I have a 3 year old and an 8 month old.

On a good day my older one will wake up 2x a night and my 8 month old 2x a night.

On a bad night they seem to alternate every hour

Very rarely do they ever take a nap at the same time.

It is rough.

Re: BTDT Moms, how bad is sleep deprivation with 2 kids compared to 1?

Yikes...you ladies are scaring me! Due w #2 in June- DD will be 16 months. I am doomed for a life of no sleep!!!

Message edited 1/20/2011 1:39:31 PM.

Re: BTDT Moms, how bad is sleep deprivation with 2 kids compared to 1?

bad. I have a 2 yr 4 MO, and a 7 MO and I'm pretty miserable right now . I'm evil when I don't get my sleep and it's been really bad bc I have 2 kids that don't like to sleep

I can't get them to nap together so I never get a break.

Message edited 1/20/2011 1:40:00 PM.

Re: BTDT Moms, how bad is sleep deprivation with 2 kids compared to 1?

Posted by BethanyLynn

Yikes...you ladies are scaring me! Due w #2 in June- DD will be 16 months. I am doomed for a life of no sleep!!!

Re: BTDT Moms, how bad is sleep deprivation with 2 kids compared to 1?

Posted by jambalady

Posted by BethanyLynn

Yikes...you ladies are scaring me! Due w #2 in June- DD will be 16 months. I am doomed for a life of no sleep!!!

not your whole life, only 15 years or so till they become teenagers!

Re: BTDT Moms, how bad is sleep deprivation with 2 kids compared to 1?

I have a 7 year old, followed CLOSELY by a 5 year old and a 3 year old.

I havent had a decent nights sleep since 2002.

Seriously, If I get 4 or 5 hours of uninterrupted sleep, its a lot. Who needs to pee, who had a bad dream, who heard a noise, who saw a monster......




So yes, worse. Sorry.

Re: BTDT Moms, how bad is sleep deprivation with 2 kids compared to 1?

I'm dreading this! With two 2 yr olds and a newborn I am going to be a walking zombie. Plus I can't take any time off work...

Message edited 1/20/2011 2:07:54 PM.

Re: BTDT Moms, how bad is sleep deprivation with 2 kids compared to 1?

Maybe I'm nuts, but I really didn't think so. My first two are a year and a half apart and the older one started waking up early--for her--which was like 6:45am. That was the worst of it. It couldn't have been THAT bad...I really don't even remember beyond that.

In fact, I just had #3 in late October and I've been absolutely fine. I mean at night I would (and do) crash on the couch, but during the day...great!

Re: BTDT Moms, how bad is sleep deprivation with 2 kids compared to 1?

I know I'm in the minorty but you could get a good sleeper. DD was STTN by 5 weeks and by 1 week was only doing 1 real night feeding - I took the 2am one and DH did the 10pm and the 6am before he went to work so I could rest up to chase DS around all day. I was able to get DD on a nap schedule pretty quickly and did it so that one was in sync with DS' nap. Crazy as it sounds, I actually got more sleep on maternity leave than I do now.

Commuting and working long hours with 2 kids is a different story...

Re: BTDT Moms, how bad is sleep deprivation with 2 kids compared to 1?

It is a lot worse, sorry!!

My kids dont nap at the same time- MAYBE i get a half hr in at the same time, but thats it!!!

and at night- well mine are super close together so they are teething at the same time!

One is getting his 2 year molars and the other is getting the 1 year..

FUN TIMES

Re: BTDT Moms, how bad is sleep deprivation with 2 kids compared to 1?

It was much worse IMO.

Tyler would wake for a bottle and when I would put him to sleep Jack would be up for the day at around 5:30. I felt like the first six months I never slept.

Even now, Jack is 3.5 and Tyler is 15 months. I am always up. Jack needs to cuddle, rub his back etc. He also wakes the baby up earlier bc he is so loud in the mornings.

I just told my friend today that I feel like I'm always tired.

You do survive though!

Re: BTDT Moms, how bad is sleep deprivation with 2 kids compared to 1?

I have a 5yo and a 2yo and theres no end in sight still for me Adding a NB to the mix will just add another act to the circus we already have going on all night here

Re: BTDT Moms, how bad is sleep deprivation with 2 kids compared to 1?

DD#1 NEVER slept and DD#2 slept 12 hours a night at 10 weeks on. So for me, it was easier....much easier.

Re: BTDT Moms, how bad is sleep deprivation with 2 kids compared to 1?

Ugh, things I am not looking forward to in a few months.

I told DH I think the hardest thing about being a parent is the sleep deprivation. I was naive, I thought it would be bad at first. I never released that at one year old my son would still be waking up every few hours (he screams for no reason, I go in, tell him to go back to sleep, and after 20 minutes of crying, he does).

I miss my sleep!

Re: BTDT Moms, how bad is sleep deprivation with 2 kids compared to 1?

It was not too bad for me, after the first few months.

My older DS (Just turned 3) is a great sleeper. He will STTN for at least 10 hours, rarely does he wake up, unless he is really sick. He also naps most afternoons for two hours.

My baby is almost 9 months. In the beginning, it was really hard when I had to feed him at night, I was wiped out during the day. But at 3 months, he started STTN most nights, so that helped a LOT. Even better, by 5-6 months, he developed a predictable nap routine.

Both of their afternoon naps overlap by at least an hour, so I have time to myself and I rest (but usually spend that time doing bills, cleaning, laundry, etc .)

This is why I am not having a third- because my luck would run out and that baby would never sleep!!

Re: BTDT Moms, how bad is sleep deprivation with 2 kids compared to 1?

I just had my second in october so he is now 3 months and things are getting better but I have to agree with the other girls that it is a lot harder since u can't nap when they nap since you have your toddler to care for, plus my 2 yr old started waking more during the night when the new baby arrived, as long as u r prepared you will get through it we all do I wanted to add that ds#1 has always been a bad sleeper so I think he prepared us pretty well, ds#2 has been a dream in comparison.

Message edited 1/20/2011 3:56:57 PM.

Re: BTDT Moms, how bad is sleep deprivation with 2 kids compared to 1?

Absolutely. I can't believe I am even functioning to be completely honest.

Re: BTDT Moms, how bad is sleep deprivation with 2 kids compared to 1?

hmmmm, maybe we should be one and done.

Re: BTDT Moms, how bad is sleep deprivation with 2 kids compared to 1?

yes...its bad

i am sorry.....but it is

Mostly because my 2 yr old had been running around all day and my NB all night