Hi Everyone. I'm a mom with two children a 7 year old w/ mild autism and an infant that is 7 months, I'm also pregnant with my third child which is due in May, making the babies 15 months apart. Do you have any advice to help make life a little simpler with two babies? My other problem is everyone says get on a schedule, feedings are already scheduled, I'm just trying to get my 7 month old to sleep by himself, any advice for that as well I'd be very greatful. Thanks Everyone!
2007-10-17 08:28:56 · 4 answers · asked by uwishuwereme 2 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Parenting
When I say sleep by himself I mean he doesn't sleep w/me but needs a bottle or to be rocked what tlse can I try besides letting him cry himself to sleep.
2007-10-17 08:30:59 · update #1
Dark knight I think you mis-read my question my oldest son has autism not the baby, not that we know of right now anyway. And trust me over the past 5 years of knowing about my son's Autism Patience is one of the greatest lessons learned so you were right there. Thanks for trying I know you meant well.
2007-10-18 07:16:14 · update #2
I have 4 children who are all 18 months or less apart. At the beginning, it was a TON of work, especially because my husband has been deployed for so much of it. The biggest thing for me was setting a schedule. Its not strict, but its really helped with naps and feedings and keeping the older child sane while I adjusted to new babies. My 2nd daughter is Autistic, and we had her diagnosed right after I found out I was pregnant with #4.
As far as sleeping, I would really recommend the book, "The Happiest Baby on the Block." I've never done crying it out with any of my children, and the book had some really good advice on getting babies into a good sleep pattern. Do you have a good night time routine? We do baths everynight.. then a book, then bed. I know they don't NEED baths everynight, but baths help everybody mellow out and reinforce the schedule.
Another thing that made everything easier was learning to relax. Once I accepted that I couldn't always meet everyone's demands right now, and no one would die if baby 1 didn't get her sippy cup right this second, things got a lot easier for me. It sounds silly, because no one would think that you should remind yourself to relax, but we're programmed to want to meet all our children's needs immediately. If you can learn to accept that its not always possible, it helps to reinforce that in the kids also.
Congratulations!!
2007-10-17 08:51:24 · answer #1 · answered by Denise S 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Well, my two are 15 months apart. My advise, first of all, when your 7 mo. old turns 9-10 months old, start weening him off of a night bottle. Do it then before you have the new baby. And don't give it to save rest. If you don't feel comfortable letting him cry,You could read to him while he is in his crib to help sooth him into sleep. Try to put a nightlite in the room, if there isn't one already. Then if he cries, just check on hime every few minutes. Don't give into a bottle though. You will never win the battle. This will help so much you will not beleive. Try not to result in a pacifier. you will kick yourself in the butt later. Also, switch him from a bottle to a sippy cup when he has meals,now. Then when he is around 11 months old throw out the bottle and give him his formula in a sippy or regular cup. Try not to ever depend on a sippy unless you are in the car or at someones really nice house :) When he starts walking just help him transition into a toddler bed so you can use the crib for the new baby. And keep the baby monitor in the room at night to see if you can hear him get up and creep around.
Do all of this while still pregnant.
Then when the new baby comes he will be more dependent.
2007-10-17 15:43:58 · answer #2 · answered by missfrog25 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
My 2 children were 11 months apart (adults now) and when we put them to bed (same time every day and night) we would let them cry themselves to sleep. Don't go in the room while they are cryin and don't be quiet when they are sleeping either! After awhile they became accustomed to going to bed at a certain time and any noises never bothered them. They both grew up sleeping in their own rooms from two weeks old and never woke up because of any noise.
2007-10-17 15:44:18 · answer #3 · answered by Beatle fanatic 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋
patience.
i have a son with autism too my daughter is fine but just be patient..just keep laying him in his crib alone he ll learn eventually just be patient.
2007-10-17 20:42:25 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋