Hello!

We have a two bedroom place, and both our boys share a room (6 months and 3 years). In another month we will move to a bigger place where they can have their own room. Thing is, we struggle and struggle every night getting them down. The baby is a light sleeper and if he goes down first, when his brother comes in, baby always wakes up and does not go back to sleep (because his big brother never goes down gently, always up and down etc.) Our three year old when he slept alone would go down in minutes but now he’s all up the creek ! I have tried keeping the older one up all day so he drops off easily but he is a wreck come 4pm. I really want the baby to have a regular bed time and worry about giving him bad habits – though he goes down well, at least for now. Should we separate them when we move? Or do it before? My three year old though suffering, says he can’t get to sleep because he is lonely and missing his brother, but when he’s in there they just cry…. Will it work better when they are a bit older? Oh boy, any advice people could share would be great. Thanks in advance!!


Want more real mum questions sent to you?

You'll need to check this email to complete your signup.
  • I would wait till you move, and then separate them – it will feel more natural to your eldest then. And we had the same problem – they will get used to the separation quite quickly and everything will be better.


  • I remember when I had my older two in the same room… It was a nightmare! They would laugh and take hours to get to sleep. Having their own rooms was a blessing, and as they get older they’ll want their privacy. I’d say you should separate them when it will be easiest, whether that’s before or after you move. But definitely separate them so they both can sleep the way they need to without one waking the other.


  • I too think that separate rooms is the best solution.


  • Okay not sounding too mean to your 6 month old, as trying to sound about abandonment, but if you could move a cot or bassinet into a hallway just outside the door, he could have his brothers comfort but it might suit them better?


  • Some great advice. We’re going to put our girls together at the end of the year but they will be 4 and almost 2.


  • Yes , i also think separate rooms are better :)


  • Separate rooms would be better


  • I suggest waiting till they are a bit older try reading maybe that might help good luck hun.


  • Separate them. Try reading the 3 year old a story when he goes down as a “special treat” just for him. He will get used to sleeping by himself.


  • My boys share they are almost 5 and 4. We had them seperate until around a year ago. There’s no way they would have slept well sleeping in the same room before that. So I’d say seperate them until bub is older. Have a night light in each of their rooms and let your 3 year old pick out a special cuddly to sleep with so he doesn’t feel so lonely.


  • how have the suggestions helped


  • I never had this problem as the age gap was so big but good luck you have some great answers that I am sure will help you with your future choice


  • Much much easier to have them separated. I would have the little one in your room so they aren’t waking each other up and try and get the older one into a routine first. I don’t believe in keeping them up all day to make them sleep at night.. It usually backfires as they get grumpy then don’t sleep well because they are overtired..


  • We have had the same problem. The little one would fall asleep on the loung and when the eldest wnt to sleep, I would put the little one in. It’s not ideal but you do what you can.


  • I would suggest waiting until they are a bit older to put them in together. My two are 2 and 4 and it is much easier.


Post your reply
Add a photo
Your MoM account


Lost your password?

Enter your email and a password below to post your answer and join MoM:

↥ Back to top

Thanks For Your Star Rating!

Would you like to add a written rating or just a star rating?

Write A Rating Just A Star Rating
Join