Sleep deprived and needing friends

[mrsbutterworth]

Hi! I'm a SAHM of two, DD is 16 months and DS is 1 month. Do any of you have tips on how to survive? Luckily DS is incredibly patient and happy or I don't know if I'd be sane right now thanks to my high energy daughter.

[lindseyione]

I have a 21 month old and a 3 month old. It's so difficult esspecially when you are exhausted. I suggest telling your SO/DH exactly what you need help with when he is there in order to divide your time evenly between your kids. I don't have much advice because I am still trying to figure this whole mom of two thing out.

[abcmommy]

Hi there mrsbutterworth! I also have 2U2. My DD is 15 mo and DS is 2.5 mo. I definitely know how you feel. Everyday is pretty challenging. It feels as if one child is always upset about something. My advice is to definitely try to get out of the house at least every other day. It makes me feel better and I think the children like it too. I also second lindseyione's advice. Ask your SO for help when you need it.

[scattered]

I can only speak from the SAHM of two little kids perspective (my 2U2 starts in May) but have you looked into MOPS or any moms groups in your area? I did MOPS when I had one kid and I liked it a lot.

[maelara]

Hey! I'm a SAHM with 2u2 as well. DD1 is 19 months and DD2 is 11 weeks. DD1 is also very high energy and high needs. My new baby is colicky, which sucks on so many levels. I wear the baby and it seems to help her and me. It does start to get better and Im only 11 weeks in. Good luck!

[gingerbabe]

Honestly I have felt like I have barely survived the last year. DS is 2.5 DD is 12 months. I think it would have helped a lot if I could have quit my part-time job watching a little girl in my home, and if I would have asked my DH for more help, but I wanted DH to be able to enjoy life still. I've learned to make priorities and sleep is #1. Screw working out, screw hanging out with friends or DH, I had to go to sleep as soon as my DD was asleep because she woke up a million (ok, only 3-5) times a night. With this next baby what I plan to do differently is get baby 3 to sleep through the night as soon as possible. Sleep deprivation really gets to me.

[mrsbutterworth]

I think what's setting me back the most is sleep deprivation. DS wakes to eat every 1.5 hours or so. I don't believe in strict sleep training until at least 6 months but I do want him to be able to sleep well on his own. As far as mom groups, I haven't found any around here but I'm sure if I searched more thoroughly I'd find one. My husband has the car during the day, though I have an awesome new double stroller. Guess I should take more walks... I just hate the cold!

[gingerbabe]

Jan 28, 2015 9:19:37 GMT -5 mrsbutterworth said:

I think what's setting me back the most is sleep deprivation. DS wakes to eat every 1.5 hours or so. I don't believe in strict sleep training until at least 6 months but I do want him to be able to sleep well on his own. As far as mom groups, I haven't found any around here but I'm sure if I searched more thoroughly I'd find one. My husband has the car during the day, though I have an awesome new double stroller. Guess I should take more walks... I just hate the cold!

I don't think most people realize how very much we need sleep. Sleep deprivation is a serious problem. I too don't like to sleep train my kids until older. The good news is most babies wake up less and less during the night on their very own so hopefully without trying too much this baby will soon start being able to sleep longer without eating! I hope he does for your sake!

[mrsbutterworth]

Jan 28, 2015 10:05:06 GMT -5 gingerbabe said:

Jan 28, 2015 9:19:37 GMT -5 mrsbutterworth said:

I think what's setting me back the most is sleep deprivation. DS wakes to eat every 1.5 hours or so. I don't believe in strict sleep training until at least 6 months but I do want him to be able to sleep well on his own. As far as mom groups, I haven't found any around here but I'm sure if I searched more thoroughly I'd find one. My husband has the car during the day, though I have an awesome new double stroller. Guess I should take more walks... I just hate the cold!

I don't think most people realize how very much we need sleep. Sleep deprivation is a serious problem. I too don't like to sleep train my kids until older. The good news is most babies wake up less and less during the night on their very own so hopefully without trying too much this baby will soon start being able to sleep longer without eating! I hope he does for your sake!

I think part of the problem he's waking so much at 7 weeks is his bad tongue and lip tie... I don't think he's getting enough in one feeding. Luckily we are getting that fixed next week. I forgot how exhausting the newborn stage is.

[gingerbabe]

Jan 28, 2015 10:33:05 GMT -5 mrsbutterworth said:

Jan 28, 2015 10:05:06 GMT -5 gingerbabe said:

I don't think most people realize how very much we need sleep. Sleep deprivation is a serious problem. I too don't like to sleep train my kids until older. The good news is most babies wake up less and less during the night on their very own so hopefully without trying too much this baby will soon start being able to sleep longer without eating! I hope he does for your sake!

I think part of the problem he's waking so much at 7 weeks is his bad tongue and lip tie... I don't think he's getting enough in one feeding. Luckily we are getting that fixed next week. I forgot how exhausting the newborn stage is.

Oh man that's rough!! Hopefully fixing that will also help him sleep more then!

[bunnyfungo]

Next month I'll have a 1 year old and a 2 year old. I would say the first 6 months or so were the hardest. Once DD2 could sit up on her own and actually "play" with her sister it got a lot easier. Sleep deprivation is so so hard. I didn't have good sleepers with either of my kids and they both still wake up in the MOTN. Try to get as much help from YH as possible. Since I was BFing we made a deal that he was responsible for any DD1 wake-ups and I took the baby. That worked for us, but try to find whatever balance works for you!

[gingerbabe]

Jan 28, 2015 10:46:05 GMT -5 bunnyfungo said:

Next month I'll have a 1 year old and a 2 year old. I would say the first 6 months or so were the hardest. Once DD2 could sit up on her own and actually "play" with her sister it got a lot easier. Sleep deprivation is so so hard. I didn't have good sleepers with either of my kids and they both still wake up in the MOTN. Try to get as much help from YH as possible. Since I was BFing we made a deal that he was responsible for any DD1 wake-ups and I took the baby. That worked for us, but try to find whatever balance works for you!

That's what we did too! I forgot because my 2yr old only wakes up occasionally in the MOTN now. For a long time DS was solely my DH's responsibility at night while I took care of DD. DH even slept in DS's room for 3 months before we got him adjusted to sleeping on his own. With #3 coming I'm not sure how we're going to divvy up responsibilities yet but I'm trying so hard to get my two kids to sleep through the night consistently before #3 gets here!