Need Advice For Toddler

[Megs Mom]

So I have a 26-month-old and two two-month-olds. The toddler, Meg, starts out the night in her bed and her room, and the babies sleep with DH and me. Meg comes into our bed when she wakes up in the middle of the night, anywhere from 11:30 pm to 6:30 am, but usually on the earlier side.

There are several problems with this. Meg is sleeping terribly once she joins us b/c the babies are very restless and keep her awake. She is striking out physically at the babies and at me b/c she is frustrated at being waken. She is getting up too early for the day b/c of when DH gets up. (I'm basing that on the fact that she sleeps so badly at night). The bed is too crowded with five of us and Patrick fell out the other night (mattress is on the soft floor, no harm done) b/c I had him on the edge of the bed to keep him away from Meg who was in the middle. We have tried taking her back to her bed when she wakes up but she either freaks out crying or wakes up and returns five minutes after we leave her sound asleep.

I just don't know what to do but things cannot continue like this...

[ekblad9]

:hug That's a tough situation. Have you tried using a crib mattress on the floor as a "special bed" for her? Or what if you went into her bed with her when she comes into your room at night. You could go out when she falls back to sleep. What we actually ended up doing was having dh sleep with our older child in their bed and I was in bed with the baby. It only had to last a few months and was truly worth it.

I'm sure you'll get some great advice here!

[Megs Mom]

I like the crib mattress on the floor. She's in a toddler bed so a little hard to get in there with her but maybe it's time to move up to a twin.

[mommybritt]

Analisa,
As I think you know, we do pretty much what ekblad7 said. Dh and Maryn sleep in the king bed together and I sleep in the queen with the babies. Our beds are in the same room pushed up together and I have a enormous nursing pillow in the middle to deter Maryn from trying to come over to me.

It did take about a week after the babies came home for Maryn to adapt to this new sleeping arrangement and for her to accept dh as the nighttime guy. It has worked out really well as now he can put her to bed, too (though we try to keep that as Mommy & Maryn special time).

If you get her a twin, would dh be willing to sleep in her room with her for a bit? Or could you push another bed up against your bed (I forget what size you have) to make more room for everyone?

[Megs Mom]

We are in a king. I do think DH would be willing to sleep with Meg. I'll talk to him.