preparing a toddler for a new arrival..

[black_rose]

We made sure any changes were made early, I have 21 months between dd1 and dd2, and 18 between dd2 and ds. We made the transition into big beds fun and about them growing up no mention of it being to make room for the new baby. We also got them gifts when each baby arrived so they weren't left out.

[hj1981]

Miss B was 25mthss old when Miss Em was born, she was already in a big girl bed, we involved her in absolutely everything, from decorating baby's room, to taking her to the appointments. We always talked about the baby to her and how she would have to share her stuff etc... but we did tell her the only item she did not have to share was her "Pinky" her bed cuddle toy.
When i went into labour we told her that the baby would be here soon, she was very protective off me when i was at home labouring which was so sweet! and when Miss Emily arrived, Miss B was the first one (apart from DH) to see her, we wouldn't let anyone else visit until she had meet her sister and we spent time as a family! she came up to visit every day i was in hospital. and when we got home we involved Miss B in everything again, from the baths to the nappy changes to picking out her sisters clothes. When Miss Em would cry too we would ask Miss B what do you think is wrong with her and how can we stop her crying, which made her feel important!
We never said stuff like "baby this or baby that", and we never left Miss B out.
so we didn't have any problems of jealousy or anything like that at all, and still haven't to this day it was a very enjoyable time for us all

Oh and Miss B brought Emily a gift and Emily brought Miss B a gift

[~Hestia~]

Wow it's going so fast! I started a thread on this awhile ago, I'd link if I knew how It was in the birth section called Introducing Baby. I got some great tips from it, good luck!

[Nai]

DD1 had just turned 3 when DD2 arrived. She was already TT and in her toddler bed so that wasn't an issue. We involved her in all our appointments and she would help the OB listed to the heartbeat, take my BP and measure my belly. She was involved in getting all the baby clothes out, washing them all in preparation and she even chose DD2's middle name. She was the first person to meet DD2, find out she was a girl and give her a cuddle - apart from DP and myself of course.

DD1 never really had any jealousy or acting out issues with DD2's arrival.

[Miss E]

I'm just subbing because this is something we're really beginning to think seriously about too.

I have heard that there are some good story books about becoming a big brother/sister - does anyone know titles or authors?
TIA

[~Hestia~]

I'm just subbing because this is something we're really beginning to think seriously about too.

I have heard that there are some good story books about becoming a big brother/sister - does anyone know titles or authors?
TIA

We got 'There's a House Inside my Mummy' by Giles Andreae & 'I Love my Baby Brother' by Anna Walker (we're having a little boy but they do have a Little Sister version too)

Moo LOVES these books and we probably read them half a dozen times per day, they're always his first choice!

[AJC]

DS has already been out of the cot and in his own bed for sometime so there arent any huge changes for him in that way. When he's going to sleep or we're just having a nice cuddle, after I've given him a kiss and told him Mummy loves him I rub my tummy and tell him baby loves him too. He then wraps his arms around my tummy and says 'cuddle her' and he really likes it.

[Bella29]

Thanks girls, there are some really great suggestions listed there. CM, thanks for letting me know I will go and search that thread out.

xx Bella

[The[cookie]Doctor]

The one thing in particular that helped here was the present, my DS was already toilet trained, already dummy gone, already big bed.
Though he is currently inhabiting a room full of half baby gear which i know is annoying him but he will get the other room soon.
We waited until i was home from hospital to give it (made more ssense) and gave him the Cars DVD from DD. He thinks its the greatest and because he LOVES cars it was a great choice, simple but perfect@!

[wysiwyg]

In typical wysiwyg style we didn't do a lot, CJ was already in a big bed and TT was happening. We knew we were having a boy and we had already named him so he was already Baby Stirling to her, we got her a little boy baby which she named Baby Stirling (and then he became little baby Stirling, and the real one Big Baby Stirling). We read one book My new baby I think, and explained that I would be going to hospital to have Baby Stirling and she could come see him as soon as he was here. She saw things like the capsule and we just said is for Baby Stirling and let her sit in it, same with the cot when it got put back up she wanted to go in it so let her. She was very emotional in a happy way when she first met him, and has loved him to bits since. He did get her a present but not sure she was that phased by that. We let her hug, kiss him etc etc and he does get rougher handling than she ever did, but he is happiest when she is about. Haven't had any jealousy issues. I would say the only two things I am conscious about doing is trying to make sure that she got time with me on her own and not always her with dad and me with baby, and not saying things like "No we can't do this because I need to feed Stirling, or change him etc" - that may be the reason but I think up something else so it doesn't sound like it is always his need for food, sleep etc that is stopping us doing things.