Hi, I'd really appreciate some thoughts on my dd2's sleep and routine please. I found these forums SO helpful with dd1...this time round I was determined to not make the same 'mistakes' but here I am again
The main issues are that she catnaps in the day and feeds to sleep in the evening. I got so stressed out trying to get dd1 into a routine that I've ended up taking things much easier this time round and going with the flow a bit more. It's been good for the stress levels but I think dd2 could do with more of a routine now, especially at night. I can see some of the same props my dd1 came to depend on so I'd like to try to establish better habits earlier if possible.
Each day looks different in terms of exact timings but I've loosely followed EASY from the get go. She currently has an A time of 2 hours (rarely goes to sleep before then) but still gets hungry roughly every 3 hours. She has 3-4 naps, depending on how long they are. She wakes 2-3 times a night and feeds to sleep during those.
My main issues are...
1) She only naps in the bouncer or wrap. This was initially because I spent so long getting her to sleep in the cot that dd1 was spending ages in front of the tv (downstairs is open plan so can't totally childproof and she kept waking lo up when she was with us) only for dd2 to wake up after 20 mins. She slept so much better in the wrap but, even in that, she now tends to wake after 30mins...so I guess this could be a good time to try the cot again. My questions are what do you do with your eldest child while working on it? Also I have to use the wrap when we go out so will working on naps in the cot work? Finally is it likely an issue with her routine which could be causing the catnaps?
2) she has no bedtime routine. Which I have all sorts of mum guilt about when I think of dd1's lovely routine as a baby! Until recently she just didn't seem able to settle down before 8.30, sometimes closer to 10pm. However she is getting sleepy earlier now so, again, think this could be a good time to work on bedtime and going in the cot (She's currently down with us bf until she's in a deep enough sleep.) The only issue is that on the rare occasions shes gone down for the evening she tends to be wide awake during the night! Questions are - should I do PUPD with her to work on getting her off bf to sleep? Also...how do others organise bedtime with 2+ kids? Not sure whether to do baby or toddler first (dd1 goes to bed at 7)
The other thing is that we're going away in 3 weeks so not sure it's fair to do full on sleep training before that? I just think she's showing signs of needing routine etc and I don't want to miss this window!
Any help much appreciated, Thank you!