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Baby + Toddler Sleep Training!

18 month old sleep training?

Hi everyone,

I’m looking for some advice regarding my 18-month-old’s sleep. I also have a 2-month-old baby, and since the baby arrived, my toddler’s sleep has become really difficult.

Before having the baby, my toddler was always rocked to sleep. However, once the baby arrived, he suddenly stopped liking being rocked and started falling asleep mainly in the car or pram for his naps.

At night, I’ve started lying down with him in bed, as we’ve always co-slept. I usually pat him or let him self-soothe while I’m there. The problem is that it can take at least an hour for him to fall asleep. He’ll often run around and play first before eventually settling into bed.

Naps are even more difficult. Even when he’s clearly exhausted, he won’t fall asleep in his bed with me. I usually have to take him out in the pram or drive him around in the car, and I’m finding it really difficult to keep this up — especially with a 2-month-old as well.

I’d really appreciate some advice on what to try.

* Would blackout blinds during the day make a significant difference?
* Should I stop co-sleeping and consider transitioning him to a floor bed?
* Is it too late to introduce some form of sleep training at 18 months?
* If not, what methods have worked for toddlers this age, particularly when they’ve always been co-sleepers?
* Or is this likely to be more about his routine/schedule rather than how he falls asleep?

I’m feeling quite overwhelmed and would love to hear from anyone who has been through something similar, especially with a new baby in the mix.

Thanks!!