I have a two year old son and three month old daughter that will be sharing a room. Their bedroom is completely ready for her to move into and she's only waking once a night to feed. I'm considering moving into her own crib soon but am seeking any good advice, or things to think about to help with the transition.
Well, its been over a week of the two kids in the same room and the transition couldn't have been smoother. A lot of people mentioned that the kids would be used to each other's cries and sounds (and I just couldn't believe this would be the case) but it really is. When my daughter grunts and wakes up for her 2am feeding my son doesn't even stir, nor has he woken up when I'm in there feeding her. The first night was a little hard on my son because of a mistake I made. I moved his nightlight closer to the door so I would have more light when entering but it was too bright for him. He woke up a few times that night but she didn't, so that was good. The second night I moved the nightlight back and all was great. Thanks for the suggestions regarding the noise machine. My 2 year old has always slept to a rain cd set on repeat and I had that playing through my ipod in our room the whole time my newborn was with us so she was very used to that in his room once she got there. Another thing I did to prepare my son for his sister's sleeping in his room was to really talk it up the day it was going to happen. He is such a great big brother so I knew he would like it when I said that now his sister was ready to sleep in her crib in his room, she would like being with him so much, etc, etc. Also, her crib has been in his room since my 6th month of pregnancy (another tip I got from a friend) and I think that really helped prepare him for the baby and the her eventual move into his room.
My daughter is sleeping so soundly its amazing. She was very ready to get out of her bassinet because she is so big she was hitting the sides and waking herself up. I definitely think she enjoys more space in her crib. ALSO, one thing that has been a MUST HAVE is the new baby monitor we bought. We have the Summer Infant video monitor with two cameras, so we can see each of their cribs with the switch of a button on the monitor which has been great! It was a little pricey, but so worth it.
Many people asked why I was moving my daughter out of our room so quickly (at 3 months) and to that I have to say that I'm one of those believers in sacred "husband and wife" time and space. Of course our kids are our world and we adore them but our biggest priority is our marriage and it is nice to have our own space back. What has been even more great is bringing BOTH of the kids into our bed in the morning for some family snuggle time. Its now something we both look forward to, we practically run into their room and bring them back to ours in the morning. So that's the (LONG) update so far...we're all doing very well and very happy!
I'd keep her close for a little while longer. Mother's intuition I suppose.
My girls have a little bigger age spread (almost 3 years), but I always put the baby down to sleep first and then took my older daughter in after the baby was asleep (15-30 min. later). When the baby would wake up for feedings, the older one usually slept thru. It became a little more of an issue when baby could sleep thru the night, but wasn't. Letting her cry it out was tough, and there were a few nights where we had to move my older daughter to the couch, but it did finally work. They both sleep thru beautifully now!
Good luck to you!
S. B :)
Hi,
I too, have 2 kids that share a room, a 15 mnth old and 6 1/2 yr old. I highly recommend putting a sound machine in their room. The white noise helps drown out any little noises. Also, It helps when the time comes for sleep training if you need to do that. I thought for sure my older son's sleep was going to be wrecked, but sometimes he didn't wake and others he learned to just go back to sleep. There were a few days where we moved our older son out of their room when we did some sleep training. I highly recommend "the Sleep Easy Solution book", by Jennifer Waldburger and Jill Spivack founders of Sleepy Planet. I know Jill and she is awsome! I did mommy & me with her over six years ago and I can call her and ask any questions that I might have. Also, When I did sleep training there was very minimum crying.(yeah!) Good luck! Some how some way it always works out!
My question to you is why are you in a rush to move a three month old out of your room at all. You do have a miracle baby waking up once a night, but what about her other needs. Is your two year old son going to take the responsibility of warming bottles and wiping the butt. Did you move your son into his own room at three months. Let him have his own room at night until he is truly ready for his sister to move in with him. Consider him. Does he sleep through the night without being disturb? Is there another room for her to sleep in, since you are looking for that independence in your bedroom. If you do decide to have them share the room you should do it gradually.
Hi R.
I have 2 children, 2 years and 5 years old. They too share a room. I actually live in the UK, but Mamasource won't let me be a member unless I live in usa... anyway....
When my second child was born, she was in with us for the first 4 months or so, and then I moved her into the bedroom with my other daughter.
I have 2 pieces of advice for you. Firstly, when you move your baby into her new room, if you are going to put her into a cot, you might want to consider putting the moses basket (or whatever you are using now) straight into the cot for a few days, so that she gets used to her new surroundings, but still has the security of the basket she knows so well. Then after a few days, move her directly into the cot. I did it with both of mine and had no problems.
The second piece of advice I have for you is not to worry about your children sharing a room. If your daughter wakes up, your son will get used to hearing her cry for you/milk/cuddles, and if he doesn't sleep deeply already, he will learn to! He will also probably feel very important/excited about having his new sister in the room with him...(mine did). Feel confident about the decisions you make, and your children will take your lead.
Good luck!
C. x
Hi R.;
I have four children and raised them while I am stay home mom, my husband is a good provider and supported all of us. I remembered that I have my baby in a crib at our bedroom until they become one year then I move them to their own room. I have 25 yrs old married and had 19 mths daughter, 21 yrs old son lived and studied in NY for Video and Game Designer, my 16 yrs old is already in Junior College, 14 yrs old is freshman in high school. I breastfeeding all of this children of mine. I have two girls own their bedroom and the two boys when they're growing up, they share bedroom since they're boys. Every mother has different ways of looking after and raising their own children. My reason of keeping my children in a crib with me in our bedroom, is the proper way to be bonding together with my children and at the same time, it is easy for me to breast feed them when it is time to feed them. As long as your toddler will behave and not waking up the baby while she is sleeping. I think putting her in her own crib, is a safest way to handle your 3 month old daughter. good luck.
A.
