Positive things about bringing a new baby home to your toddler!

[~ Zarava Flutterby ~]

Any tips for when the older sibling is a bit rough? I can see this happening so want to be prepared.

The thing to remember is more often than not they don't realise they are being rough, fromt he START we taught DD you need to be gentle, so when she wanted a cuddle we showed her how to slowly put her on her knee etc, when playing we allowed her near her but told her she's NOT to try and pick her up or move her and on the odd occassion she got too close or was a little rough we didn't tell her off we just sat next to her and explained what she had done wrong.

The look they get when they make their little brother or sister cry is heartbreaking.. they figure it out soon enough

[Nai]

I forgot that we also had gifts for DD1 from the new baby which she thought was great. She got a book called "I'm a big sister" which was awesome.

I had a C/s so couldn't walk DD1 down the hall but she had no problems with meeting DD2 in my arms as she had been worded up completely.

I'm not sure if this will work but here is the first cuddle http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fb...1049.620474702

and at Christmas this year - they still love each other http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fb...8&id=620474702

[Daydream Believer]

DD is 5 days short of 2 years older than DS. She was & still is like a little mummy. She wasn't jealous at all. We got her a baby doll with accessories as well so she could play mum when we were busy with DS.

[Kazbah]

We also got DS1 a present from the baby - it was waiting for him in the baby's cot, and DH got it out and said look what the baby got you. Then DH took DS1 to buy a toy for DS2 as "he doesn't have any toys" and not only did DS1 choose a toy, but also gave his "baby toys" to DS2.

[minimatron]

I havent read all the pp but I wanted to say yes it can be hard but its not all bad, its beautiful most of the time. The excitement on their faces when they first meet their new sibling, the great joy they get from cuddles... even now dd3 is 3 months old both dd1 and 2 are so happy to have cuddles and help feed and change their sister... its so special to watch. At the beginning when we were sleep deprived and grumpy they solidiered on they did much better than us. It was really me who regressed....
We also did gifts... dds1 and 2 got dd3 a dolly and dd3 got them gift bags each to play with at the hospital and take home to nannas house while they stayed there for a few nights. They loved it and still talk about it.

All the best x o

[Arimeh]

I'll never forget that morning when DD1 woke up and saw DD2 on the couch with me - she said "who dat?" and it was sooo cute. She said it for ages (I even got photos of her expression on facebook, so so sweet).

We haven't run into any jealousy problems until now - when they are bigger. If DD1 wants a cuddle, DD2 has to have a cuddle as well. So its not till later that I've found problems, my biggest problem when they were smaller was to get DS and DD1 to be quiet while I put the baby down, doesn't take too long for them to get the idea of that though.

Other than that - its all been pretty good! They are rough with each other sometimes, but thats to be expected, they don't know their own strength and don't really get the whole "she's smaller than you" yet. We tell them to be gentle.. but you know. kids will be kids!!!

You'll be an awesome mummy of 2 so don't stress!

[Honeybee]

minimatron - love the gift bag idea!

[Mak]

I think it is all the funny stuff that happens - so DD1 trying to BF her dolls and having them wake her up at night etc. Her trying to sit in the rocker etc - She took great delight in her little sister laughing at her etc. They are great mates now - prolly until they hit 15 of course! We did gifts too and DD1 had special toys for when DD2 was being fed etc.

[minimatron]

LOL Honeybee... i had loads of fun doing that. I Put colouring books in, stamps pencils stickers and quite a few snack items like juice bottles, sultana snack packs and some special treat stuff that they have on the odd occassion like a lolli pop. It was great fun getting them stuff and they loved it when I said that Amy had got them a presant each!.... It made the whole welcoming so much more fun and exciting and relaxing!

[Cassius2]

the immeasurable joy spread across leila's face as she walked into the dining room where i had just given birth and was holding Marta. she ran right over and kissed her!

The cuddles between the two sisters are just awesome.

hearing your baby giggle at the antics of her older sister.

the pride in watching Leila talk about her little sister at kindy and at playgroup

hearing Leila tell her sister that she loves her.

seeing Leila toilet train herself in a day hahaha! Leila realised overnight that nappies were for babies

everymorning cuddling my two girls in bed and watching them play and giggle with eachother. this has happend from day one. sooo precious.

[Jaycee]

everymorning cuddling my two girls in bed and watching them play and giggle with eachother. this has happend from day one. sooo precious.

That sounds so precious! I have cuddles in bed with DS every morning, can't wait til there's 2 little men to cuddle!

This thread is just what I needed, it's given me so much reassurance that I'm not taking anything away from DS, but giving him so much. Thank you!

[beansbeans!]

I just remembered something that DH's grandmother said to me when we told her about DD2.

"Make sure you have a cot that DD1 cannot get into, because if she can get into it she will bite the new baby's ear off!"

This comes from a woman who has 3 boys. And they all have all of their ears in tact too!

[beckoes]

this thread really helped, im only a few weeks off having my second and im worried about how DD is going to respond. So nice to read all the lovely positive things about having two!!!

[sconeonamission]

Aww, I can't wait now!! Only a few weeks to go!

I like the gift bag idea, mil actually suggested that last night! The "walk down the hallway to meet baby" might be a bit difficult (coz who's gonna look after the baby while I do that!?), but I'll meet him outside the room door and maybe both mummy and daddy walk him in...

[kawazuki]

ill just some it up in one word

"everything"

yeh it is tough, but after an hour or so we found DD1 just wanted to shwo her everything so she spent all day pulling all her "fav" things out to show the bubba lol

then everything was and DD2 as well mummy when i did something for her.

IT all depends on how relaxed you are about it as well.
so be relaxed just keep thinking thsi is life they are kids lets just roll with it then they will pick up that you feel ok so its not a bad or wrong or scary thing so they will just plod along and be funny.

kids are amazing hun. she may feel a bit out of place for a day or so but thats just her finding her place and its the same with us we feel a bit out of kilter when new bub comes as we have to find a routine and everything for us. So don't get all worried about it if she does go a bit funny give she will come around.

We got DD1 a bubba of her own and said you can copy mum and this helped as she was able to do whati was doing

[Heaven]

Thank you everyone for replying to this thread!! You were right!! And all those negative people were wrong!

Bringing DD2 home to DD1 has been a joy! She's not jealous at all. She loves her and just wants to be near her. This morning she woke up and asked me 'Where's Sissy??' so cute. And now DD2 has started smiling and DD1 is the one who can make her smile.