Toddler not sleeping after arrival of new baby-help!
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My 2yr old is suddenly waking up 1 1/2hrs earlier then usual and either not napping or cutting her nap down to 40 min, all since the arrival of her baby brother 3wks ago. Initially I was going in and laying down with her to help her sleep, but I can't always do that, especially if the baby is awake. Now she throwing terrible tantrums when I tell her she either needs to go back to bed or go down for a nap. I believe it's because she knows the baby is out with me and she feels like she is missing out. But, what do I do? She's exhausted, which only makes her temperament worse, and I'm exhausted trying to help her adjust!!
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Permalink Reply by Michelle Hutchison on -
This is a difficult age for naps - you can lead a two year old to bed but you can't make them nap! There have also been lots of changes in your daughters life. She may settle down again to sleeping later. You can try being really strong about nap times- she may be testing the boundaries a bit. Good Luck - I really feel for you.
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Permalink Reply by Christy on -
My daughter was 23 months when her baby brother arrived. The ONLY thing that worked for me was laying down with her, breastfeeding the baby (because they do sleep a lot), and falling to sleep myself for a much needed nap, or early bed. You all need your sleep. You all need to adjust. As hard as it is for you (and it is, believe me, I know....I also had an older son, 6 when the baby came. So, a 3 week old, 23 month old and 6 year old. It was hard, real hard. There were times I cried in the bath and thought "I can't do this. It's impossible." But, its not. I pulled myself together, and made it work. The other thing I would tell you, throw away the books, kick all the unwanted advice out of your life and do what works for your little family. For me, it was having the baby in my bed, and since this kicked out the two year old (as I started all my kids in my bed, I know its bad, blah, blah, blah...it was the ONLY way I could sleep!!), putting the two year old's toddler bed in my room, and just accepting that for the next few years, my life is babies....sex would have to NOT be in the bedroom. It never affected our sex life a bit. Fast forward 2 and 1/2 years....my 9 year old is doing great, my 4 year old loves her big girl room, and I am in the process of kicking out my 2 and 1/2 year old to his cars bed in his big brother's room. It's slow going. I love snuggling with him. It all works out. Just try to relax and focus on your needs and your family's needs....and do what works. Best of luck.
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Permalink Reply by Sara Warden on -
Thank you Christy- I think just hearing from other moms that they have gone through what I'm experiencing makes me feel like I'm doing okay as a mom. It's easy to tell yourself that you're some how screwing up your toddler in these early days. I will keep plugging along and finding what works for our home- without advice books! Thanks!!!
Christy said:My daughter was 23 months when her baby brother arrived. The ONLY thing that worked for me was laying down with her, breastfeeding the baby (because they do sleep a lot), and falling to sleep myself for a much needed nap, or early bed. You all need your sleep. You all need to adjust. As hard as it is for you (and it is, believe me, I know....I also had an older son, 6 when the baby came. So, a 3 week old, 23 month old and 6 year old. It was hard, real hard. There were times I cried in the bath and thought "I can't do this. It's impossible." But, its not. I pulled myself together, and made it work. The other thing I would tell you, throw away the books, kick all the unwanted advice out of your life and do what works for your little family. For me, it was having the baby in my bed, and since this kicked out the two year old (as I started all my kids in my bed, I know its bad, blah, blah, blah...it was the ONLY way I could sleep!!), putting the two year old's toddler bed in my room, and just accepting that for the next few years, my life is babies....sex would have to NOT be in the bedroom. It never affected our sex life a bit. Fast forward 2 and 1/2 years....my 9 year old is doing great, my 4 year old loves her big girl room, and I am in the process of kicking out my 2 and 1/2 year old to his cars bed in his big brother's room. It's slow going. I love snuggling with him. It all works out. Just try to relax and focus on your needs and your family's needs....and do what works. Best of luck.
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