Bedtime Routine X2

I have a two year old and a four month old. RIght now there bedtimes are about the sametime but there routines are very different. I have a really hard time getting them both to bed on time. either one has to go to bed early or one of them has to go to bed late. I am slowly trying to more my four month olds bedtime earlier but I have to do it slowly otherwise she will not fall asleep. ANy ideas on how to make bedtime a little smoother? My two year olds routine keeps getting longer and longer (her stall tactics) so I am trying really hard to get my four month old to bed before her and still getting my two year old to bed on time. Sample routines would be appreciated.

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C.P. answers from Columbia on October 17, 2011

Do they sleep in the same room?

If not, from my experience, I advise getting your two year old to bed first. I know it seems odd, but it makes it SO much easier to get the baby in bed when the toddler is already down.

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C.M. answers from St. Louis on October 17, 2011

I agree - have your two year old go to bed first. Because your four month old may (or may not) still be taking the breast/bottle in the middle of the night, the later you put him/her down, the more sleep you will get. Put the baby in his/her room (if they are not in the same room) or a bouncer, swing or on the floor (if you don't have animals!). Our bedtime routine is: Brush our teeth and change diaper (and go potty for my older one). They get one drink each. We read two books then I turn the lights out and I say their prayers and sing three songs. Then I lay in there for a few minutes and leave, kissing them both before I do. My daughter likes me to come in 'three minutes later' to check on her.

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H.P. answers from New York on October 18, 2011

Mine are now 4 & 6 so bedtime is much easier but when my second was born my first was only 22 months. I always put the older one down first. If my husband was home he would take the baby while I tended to tue toddler. When home alone I would keep the baby in his bouncy seat and move him from room to room with us while we would bathe, brush teeth, and read books. As he got a bit bigger sometimes he would play in his exersaucer in his room across the hall while I read and cuddled with my daughter. This allows you to spend QT with the toddler as well as give the baby the time he/she deserves and needs to go down.

Good luck!

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K.S. answers from Miami on October 17, 2011

I have to agree that the 2 year old needs to go down first. Get her routine down. take bath, brush teeth, pjs, story in bed, a short film for sleep. I always put a glass of water on her nightstand before she can ask for it. And no food after brushign teeth. If she gets up say I'm sorry its bed time and put her back in bed. Then the next time she gets up say nothing jusst put her back. Keep this up eventually she will get the hint.

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