His sleep - how am I meant to do it??

[FourAngelKisses]

I thought Troy had silent reflux as he would always refuse to drink his bottles even though he was starving. But then the ECHN suggested that he may just be overtired and I realsied she is right.

But I don't know HOW I am supposed to let him have a decent sleep during the day.

It was easier when I had 2 at home and none at school.

It was easier when I had 1 at home and 2 at school.

But 2 at home and 2 at school.....it's impossible.


Take yesterday for example. I took the kids to school at 8:40 and got home at 9:10. Dressed Matthew, fed and dressed Troy, fed and dressed myself. By the time we got all of the done, it was 10:30, so I went up to get the boys weighed and measured. Then I had to go and get bread and milk. Just to do that took me 2hrs.

Got home, changed Troy, fed both boys and myself. Then it was time to get the others from school. The poor child had only managed to get about an hours sleep in all that time, between 8:30 and 9:30.


Today.........took the kids to school and got home at 9:10. Fed and dressed both of them and myself, had a disaster with the hot water cylindar dying so it took longer as I had to boil the kettle to wash bottles.

So it was 11am by the time I got all of that done. Had to go to my inlaws, the bank, the chemist, the shop and the NRMA (all on the same block). It was 1:30 by the time I got home. Fed and changed both boys and grabbed something quick for myself, then flew to the school and got there 15mins late.

He had only about an hours sleep again all day. Now I am left with a very hungry boy who doesn't want his bottle because he is too tired and he wont stop crying and he also wont sleep.


HOW am I supposed to get him to have a decent sleep during the day if it takes me so long to just do simple things like get a loaf of bread and a bottle of milk??

I can't do it after school as it just takes forever with 4 kids and I have enough to do after school as it is.

I have thought of walking so that he sleeps in the pram, but with a 3yr old in tow, it takes about 3hrs just to make the 2.5km trip (return).

Has anyone got any suggestions.....I am desperate.

[mum2my4]

Hi Angel Kisses,

I had the exact same problem with my 4th when she was newborn. She used to scream all day and hardly sleep as we are always on the go.

The only thing I can suggest is putting him straight back to bed in the morning if he is an early riser and waking him to take the kids to school and a late afternoon nap whan you get back from school. I know it's not ideal but sometimes you have to do what you can.

I know what it's like and it's very tough.:hugs:

[Hokey Pokey]

Could you pass on some things to someone else (hubbie?) to do for you such as bread and milk run, bank runs etc.... What if you tried to fit in smaller naps more often rather than say 1 big one... maybe perhaps after dropping kids at school, come home and try a 20 minute nap and go do the errands etc, then another 20 minute once home before you have to get the children from school.... would that kind of thing work?

[MyFab4]

Hi, I have 4 kids as well. 2 at school, 1 at daycare 2 days a week and bub at home. I know what you mean, I am forever disturbing my bubs sleep to go to school, shops, after school activities, etc. I often have to pluck bubs out of bed when she is having a lovely sleep. I must say I have a really happy bub and she has adapted well to our hectic life. The only suggestion I have is maybe put bub in a sling while you get stuff done. I have one for my bub and she sleeps happily in it while I'm out and about or doing stuff at home. Sorry not really much help really but I know what your going through.

[Stargazer Lily]

a few ideas...

Can you arrange delivery - bread, milk etc from a store near you
Or could a neighbour or friend get it for you?
Or buy in bulk, freeze the bread and get longlife milk instead

For the mornings, would it be easier to do your errands immediately after dropping the older two at school, maybe aim to let bubs sleep in the pram while you do this even if it means staying out a bit longer than you planned, and then coming home for lunch and hopefully another sleep before perhaps doing another errand on the way to pick up if necessary

that would mean having all 4 ready to go first thing which could be tricky though!
If you wanted to try that my advice would be to have as much as possible packed/organised/clothes laid out etc the night before inc breakfast set up on the table
pack the 3 year old (and yourself!) a sandwich for breakfast and take it with you if need be...

can you do any of your errands either online or over the phone instead?

can you arrange for another parent from school to pick up and drop off your kids at school - just in the short term while you need help?

hope at least one of those ideas help!

good luck!

[FourAngelKisses]

Thanks for the ideas.

DH is at work from 6:30-7:20, so I can't have him help out unless it is his day off.
I don't know my neighbours (sad huh?? been here for 2.5yrs, LOL) and I don't have any friends where I live.

I always buy 15L of milk on Wednesdays (it's all our fridge can hold) and it lasts us until Saturday/Sunday.......usually I only buy an extra 3L when we run out, so I might try buying 6/9L instead to make it stretch further.
I'll have to try and remember to buy bread in bulk on Thursdays or Fridays and freeze it. No home delivery places out this way.


I honestly have no idea how to pay bills online. I tried to work it out once but it was far too complex for me. Is there a website that tells you how to do it in language that a 10yr old could understand? lol



I worked out last night that I had to get both boys in/out of the car 15 times yesterday.....far too much!! No wonder Troy didn't get a sleep.
He will sleep in the pram, but he is only in it for about 5mins before I have to put him back in the car.
I tried the sling one night when he was really upset and he did fall asleep within 20 seconds, but it killed my back as I was leaning over him trying to do stuff, plus I was worried about him being that close to a gas stove.

Anyway, I'll keep trying to work all of this out. DH has done the school run for me (no school bus out here) as it's his day off, so I'm trying to get him to sleep now but having no luck.
Will attempt to put these ideas into practice, thanks again!

[Hokey Pokey]

Buy some long life milk and keep it in the panty for need be, use it in meals etc as you won't even taste the difference and save you going through your cold milk!:thumbsup:

[Stargazer Lily]

I honestly have no idea how to pay bills online. I tried to work it out once but it was far too complex for me. Is there a website that tells you how to do it in language that a 10yr old could understand? lol


yeah it's not easy is it - I taught myself - took a while but I got there in the end, and now it is great, as I can do it anytime, day or night, and no queueing! it really is worth working it out

basically if you have online banking set up and a bill that has a Bpay symbol on it then you're all set - it's just a matter of putting the right numbers in the right spot

maybe you could sit down with DH one night and get started?
or maybe your bank would be willing to show you how?

good luck with it all - I hope it gets a bit easier soon

[Becteria]

Hey Jeanette I find it hard with the two also! I do all my bills online and knwo all the banks systems would be happy to coach you through on MSN?

Alternatively, what about phone banking? Its pretty easy..............