getting two kids to bed singlehandedly?

I have two DD's - one is a few months shy of 3 and the other is 3 months. Lately, DH has been putting DD#1 to bed and I have been putting DD#2 to bed, as they are both usually ready between 8 and 8:30. However, DH is starting to work nights on Monday, and I somehow have to do it by myself, and I am freaking out! DD#1 needs a bunch of books read to her before bedtime or else she won't sleep, and DD#2 is still a bit colicky and nurses before bed for like 30 minutes. Neither will go to sleep if the other is present. How can i possibly do this? Advice please!

Re: getting two kids to bed singlehandedly?

It's a tough one, but, the only thing that comes to mind is to explain to your older DD, the only way she can have books read, is, if DD#2 is in the room as well.

Hopefully, you can nurse and read at the same time. Maybe DD#2 will fall asleep while nursing and DD #1 will go to sleep after her books are read.

It may take some adjusting, but, it may work.

Good Luck to you!

Re: getting two kids to bed singlehandedly?

The only way I am able to do it is to put Landon to sleep (he is 3.5) a little later than the twins (they are 17 months). He will lay on the couch and watch curious george or play on the ipad while I get the babies to bed. Then he gets his books and bedtime routine after they are in bed. The twins go to bed 7:30 and Landon 8:30.

Just reread and saw you have to nurse for 30 minutes. Could you read a book to DD#1 while nursing DD#2? Then put older DD in her bed with some toys/books and tell her you'll be right back... get the baby in the crib, go back and read prvately to DD1?

Message edited 12/30/2011 11:10:40 PM.

Re: getting two kids to bed singlehandedly?

My dh gets home from work after the boys are sleeping so I do bedtime alone all week long. My two are 3 years old and 14 months. Earlier on when ds#2 was 3 months old the baby swing was my answer since it wouuld put the little one to sleep and then my oldest had my full attention so we could read books and stick to our usual routine. Now that they are both older they get a bath together and theni get them in pjs and usually my ds will watch a show or go on the ipad while I put the baby to sleep. A lot of nights if he is really tired he will come into his brothers room and wants to be rocked in the rocking chair too. Then once baby is sleepy we both tip toe into his room to read books etc. It takes a lot longer since ds usually starts talkingand wakes his brother lol, so your best bet would be nurse the baby first then put your oldest to sleep.

Re: getting two kids to bed singlehandedly?

I do this most nights! My DDs are exactly 2 1/2 years apart. When DD2 was a NB I would put her to sleep first. Then DD1 had all my attention befor bedtime.

Don't try to stress, you will get into a routine that'll work for you!

Re: getting two kids to bed singlehandedly?

I do this almost every night. I usually put DS (19 months) to bed a 1/2 hour before DD (almost 4 years). I usually let her watch her last show while I am taking care of him. Then I start to get her ready. It actually works out really well. Bedtime does take about 45 minutes but my DS is really easy to put down. My DD....not so much.

Re: getting two kids to bed singlehandedly?

I say try and nurse the baby while you are putting your older one to sleep. Either that or someone is going to have to wait!! You could explain to your older daughter that you need to put the baby to bed and you'll be with her after? Sometimes I put my 9mo old to bed first and he cries while I'm putting my 3yr old to bed. Most times he falls asleep on his own which works out. Not much you can do when there is only one of you!!

Re: getting two kids to bed singlehandedly?

if i have to do this, I put the baby to bed first and DD #1 will either play quietly in her room or watch some tv. Then I put DD #1 to bed. My girls are 3 1/2 yo and 8 1/2 mths

Re: getting two kids to bed singlehandedly?

Can you read the stories on the couch while nursing the little one? You may have to change up her routine a bit to get them both to bed. When my DD was very little, I'd put her in the swing or bouncer while I read to my 3 yo and put him to bed. Most nights, I'd bring the bouncer into his room for story time. After he was set, then I'd get the baby to bed.

Now that she's a little older (almost 9 months), I switched the order. She goes to bed first and then I worry about the older one.

Re: getting two kids to bed singlehandedly?

My boys are 20mos apart and when the younger one was still nursing I could never predict when he'd go down for the night so I found it easier to bring the younger DS into older DS's room.

I'd nurse the baby in the glider and the toddler would sit in a kid chair next us. I always made it a big deal that he could pick out the books and we would sing a special song that he chose -- I think it helped to make him feel special and not feel that the baby was taking time from him.

Then I'd put the baby down and hope they both stayed asleep!!

Now they're 2 and 3.5yo and they share a room, so we do everything together -- they each pick out stories or we alternate who picks them out each night. They both sit next to me in their little chairs or on the older DS's bed...we do stories, lights out, older DS gets tucked in, younger DS gets tucked in, door is shut....

GL - you can do it!!

Re: getting two kids to bed singlehandedly?