Sleep question for moms of 2 or more kids

[lickwed]

When I had DD, I was told to sleep when baby sleeps and so I did.  When this baby is born, DD will be almost 4 and home with me during my maternity leave, so what rule should I use now?  How did you handle sleep when there was more than 1?

[maroongolf]

This is one of the reasons having two is so exhausting. You just have to rest when you can.

DD1 still napped when #2 was born, but their naps really didn't overlap much. This time around, I'll probably let the older two watch some tv, and then try to lie down and rest/doze.

[mrsmuq]

My husband will take 4 weeks leave when we have LO#2, so, between him here to hep, and DS in preschool 3x a week, I'm hoping I'll get to rest when LO2 does most days of the week, at least for the first month (which as by far the hardest time for me when I had DS).

[Deleted]

I will likely just have to push through. Napping only when DD naps which will probably only be once a day.

My mom will be staying with me for a week so I will at least have help then. My H isn't taking anytime off of work.

[nonick]

Drink coffee.
We sometimes got DS1 and 2 to nap or at least take quiet time at the same time. That is the unicorn of parenting. I think it may be nearly impossible for simul naps with 3. We found we got DS2 into a nap rhythm faster than DS1 because we knew what to look for and how important it was. We also plunked DS1 in front of the tv and napped in the same or adjacent room.

[Deleted]

I never slept when my twins slept. I just didn't have the time. Whenever they would go to sleep, I would have to pump, make formula and get a thousand bottles ready. Or take out garbage, do laundry, clean up everything etc. Now I will have 2, 3 year old boys, and I highly doubt I will nap much, or even at all. We might look into day care for the first few months, that way I can attempt to get some rest. I know the first month for sure, because I will have another c-section, so I will need as much rest as possible.

[Sparkly]

This is why I plan to send DD to the nanny on her normal schedule... at least 3 days a week.

[lickwed]

@gothefawktosleep right?!

Sparkly mrsmuq If where we live wasn't 30 min away from DDs day care, then I would probably put her at least half day for preschool.

@lildiamondeyes It's making me sad too! Also, I love your gif. I actually saw the episode of the Amazing Race that happened on.

@erin2021 I couldn't imagine twins. You are one strong lady.

@babylentilbean My husband doesn't have much time either. I'm hoping it being so close to the holidays he will at least be able to be off through the New Year and not use up all his leave.

nonick, maroongolf I will probably be right with you with the TV on.

[anonymouseliza]

DD will stay on pre-school schedule, thankfully, but the holiday break should be right when baby boy is a newbie. My mom will help out and if not watch her for the full day schedule she normally does, will help out/take her extra time during the break.

But man, for those who are home full time with multiple kids, my hat is off to you.

[ladygray]

Pregnant with my 4th and sending the 2.5 year old to preschool 2 mornings a week to guarantee some chill/nap time.

Praying the 2.5 year old will still nap in the afternoons, and I will have the 4 year old do "quiet time" in his room for an hour so I can nap. FX. 6 year old
Will be in full day kindergarten so, hallelujah!

[Lollipop]

I didn't sleep when S slept. Partly because sleeping during the day means I don't sleep at night. I don't think I'll try to nap this time around either

[Deleted]

We have been lucky where my H is at home during each of my maternity leaves because he works seasonally & is home in the winters. So that has helped. When DS2 came along, it was understood that I have 100% duty for the new LO (since I am nursing anyway) and my H had full duty on DS1. Both DS1 & DS2 take naps though, so I'm hoping we can still try a sleep when THEY sleep thing. It will be a juggling act, but I will try to survive.

[notlindsrockies]

Jul 7, 2015 13:10:06 GMT -5 @sterling said:

This is why we're going to go broke sending the kid to daycare while I'm on leave.

It's worth it tho.

We did the same thing and it was a friggin life saver.

[notlindsrockies]

It gets better once they get a little older. When I had my newborn and a 17 month old, I just put #1 down at her regular nap time and just tried to sneak in some downtime when they were both sleeping. I usually got an hour or so stretch to myself during the day.

Thankfully H was a rockstar and got up as much as me (or more) during the night so I could get some zzz then too. I pumped almost exclusively.

Now that they're 2 and almost 4, they both go down for naps at the same time and usually sleep for 2+ hours, it gets better. 

[chuggingwater]

Jul 7, 2015 13:10:06 GMT -5 @sterling said:

This is why we're going to go broke sending the kid to daycare while I'm on leave.

We have to pay anyways, and I'll be dropping the big kid off at school next block over. Might as well go!

I forget. Can 4 year olds not play quietly while you rest? I really suck at this parenting gig.

[Lollipop]

Jul 7, 2015 20:18:20 GMT -5 chuggingwater said:

Jul 7, 2015 13:10:06 GMT -5 @sterling said:

This is why we're going to go broke sending the kid to daycare while I'm on leave.

We have to pay anyways, and I'll be dropping the big kid off at school next block over. Might as well go!

I forget. Can 4 year olds not play quietly while you rest? I really suck at this parenting gig.

Can and will are two different things. I know S is capable of playing quietly while I rest, he just won't.

[jumpingpuddles]

Daycare and electronics. And coffee.

[Deleted]

I sent my oldest to daycare. On the days she was home (weekends) and my ex was working OOT, electronics saved my butt.