How to put to sleep with a sibling?!?!

[BethP781]

I am a stay-at-home mom of a 3-year-old daughter and a 5-week-old son. How on Earth do you do the sleep routine (Four S's) for at LEAST 20 minutes while also taking care of a toddler? I obviously can't watch her while putting him to sleep, and sticking her in front of the TV a few times a day isn't healthy. I don't have any family nearby to help, either. There's got to be a faster way! The routine is really taking a toll on me and my daughter. Any suggestions?

[zeri]

(((hugs))) I did this with mine when my husband was working across the country, though my DS was older (10 months). TBH I did use screen-time, but usually the kidscbc website here in Canada which has educational games etc. The occasional tv show also helped though.
There were a few other things though that worked for a while - a bowl full of soapy water and a straw )to blow bubbles up), painting, a cache of special toys she didn't otherwise get to play with..... DD isn't the type of girl to sit and play quietly for long, so it was a challenge and I had to constantly try new things.

[okinawamama]

Hugs! You're in the trenches right now! It does get easier!!!
I dont have a lot of suggestions but i wanted to share that I relied heavily on TV when I had a toddler and an infant. It's only a temporary situatio, and I feel that the first 6 months are purely survival.

[kobe77728]

I feel exactly the same although haven't ever given my dd2 much of a wind down for nap time. Having issue with nap length etc ao may e that's why!! Mine are 26m and 6 weeks.

And my eldest would prov be ok for quite a long time Waiting but thats not what I want. I'm trying to think of a good way to do it that involves her a little. Hmmmm...

[amayzie]

Also- have you tried a shorter wind down? Some of them don't need such a long wind down. You can also try part of the wind down with your oldest one present. Perhaps try something like getting your oldest child to read stories with you on the lounge or something... just keep the routine there for your LO. I often found with my guy that the pre settling time didn't need to be THAT- this is the bit you need to be able to keep, so something like- in the sleeping bag, curtains closed, sing the song, say the sleep phrase, settle in bed- can be as long as it needs to be sometimes. If you are still working on settling then the time by the cot is where your time may be best spent rather than a long wind down AND the settling part.

[crazymama2]

Lots of hugs! I am in the same situation - DS is 22 mos and DD is 16 wks. It's a huge huge challenge esp nap extensions. I was also against TV and DS never got any TV time until DD was born. So now during windown time I put DD in her crib and she just stares at her mobile, than I get DS to "help" with the actual nap routine. Then I stick him into PNP with special toys, turn on cartoons and wait for DD to fall asleep. Same thing for nap extensions or have him in a high chair and we do quiet play time while I run back and forth trying to help DD resettle. I know that a PNP may not work for a 3 yr old but what about those gate-looking things you can sort of "cage" (thats what I call it  ) DD with her toys? Ill be honest, I wa sgetting pretty discouraged but it does get better.