Dh needs to get the boys to bed

[Eresh]

I have a work opportunity that I really want to take but it will involve getting home at 10-11pm one to two times a week. DH currently does DS1's bedtime routine. It starts ~8:15 and is change, potty, teeth, and a long bedtime story. Hes usually asleep by 9:30. I do DS2's bedtime routine. Starting generally about 7:30 with diaper then nursing to sleep. DS2 and I cosleep. DS1 is in his own bed.

We have a crib we can set up for DS2 and he does nap in one at daycare, but he's used to mommy nursing him to sleep at home. I'm really not sure how dh can get him down and still take care of DS1. DH is really supportive but I don't want evenings to end up horrible for everyone. Any thoughts or ideas?

Eta: ds1 is 3.5yo. Ds2 will be 12mo when I start late evenings if it works out.

[Yuba_River]

Will your baby fall asleep for daddy in a sling? I usually nurse my babe to sleep, but when I am doing bedtime for both boys on my own, I use the Ergo to get DS2 to sleep so that I can still be available for DS1. I bet they will be fine--he will figure out his own routine that works and they will all adjust to it.

[Eresh]

The only way he's gotten ds2 to sleep is in the carrier on his back. Unfortunately he wakes up as soon as you try to put him down though.

Dh is a great daddy and has his own style with the boys. I just want to do everything I can to make things easier for him.

[SilverFish]

I think you will be surprised. I started working recently too, and tend to come home past bedtime because of meetings or events at least once a week. DH had certainly done the bedtime routine in the past, but usually I was part of it too (ie I'd be nursing her and then he'd take over rocking her all the way down). I didn't try to plan it too much, because I figured it was something the two of them needed to figure out on their own. And really, they have quite easily. Bedtime takes a bit longer than with me, but it's definitely not horrible.

Does your DS take a pacifier or a bottle? If he's really attached to sucking as a falling asleep routine (mine is) then a paci might be the tool your DH needs to get him down. I'd suggest maybe doing most of the bedtime together, earlier in the night (like have everyone in pjs and brushed teeth etc by 7:30) so that your DH has more time to get everyone relaxed and in bed before they are too tired. Maybe the three of them can read in bed together for a bit, then your DH can leave the older one by himself with a book while he rocks the younger one? I think it's quite amazing to see how well kids can adapt to a change in their routine when they have a loving and responsive carer helping them... my kid surprised me with adapting so well to my DH taking over more of her care when I went back to work.