Bed time with 2 kids

Going through this myself atm with my 2 year old and 4 month old who's having a regression.

I have no suggestions right now unfortunately but just to say you're not alone and hopefully this season passes by quickly xx

So, I was where you are (husband does shifts) and I am going to suggest something a lot of people won't like...

Tablet. I used to give my big one her tablet as it was high value and kept her entertained and quiet. Then as soon as the little one was asleep I would go in, give her a 5 minute 'warning', quick tidy up then go back, tablet off, book and bed

What are you doing at the moment

I rarely had to do this, but when I did, I just used to put them to bed at the same time if I could. Books and cuddles with toddler in his bed whilst I breastfed the baby to sleep, then transfer the baby (or both in my bed and transfer both to their beds). I’d also have a dog to walk, so sometimes it would be both in a double pram at bedtime and I’d walk the dog and they’d fall asleep on the walk and I’d transfer to bed. Or if at home baby fell asleep first for some reason, I would wear him in a sling whilst putting toddler to bed. I never attempted to leave one and do the other, because mine would have 100% cried and the toddler would have just followed me around.

I think from the start as soon as I put my eldest to bed I took my youngest along with me and usually I would have given her a bottle she ended up falling asleep the same time. I was lucky my eldest loved sleep though I think if it had been the other way round it would have been a different story as although my youngest fell asleep she would then be awake again an hour later.