Overall we never had issues and that surprised us. We thought DS2 was gonna a little bugger about the baby as he has really enjoyed being the baby and knew he wasnt gonna relinquish that postition easily. The boys had been sleeping with me and DH in the their room, so we re-did their room, got them big boy beds and nice sheets. Bought them each a present that we stashed away to be from the baby (the presents go along way to helping the sibling "like" the baby) We included the boys in all the scans, and they helped to choose something nice for the baby to wear. Each night they wanted to give my tummy a kiss good night and talk alittle bit to the baby.
They have both had afew adjustment issues as is normal- sometimes they have to wait for mummy to finish something with the baby but we also make a point of telling the baby - wait Im just with your brother, be there in a min- so it feels fair to them. They are very protective of her when we go out and dont let people touch her and if she is asleep they will push people away
They help us with nappy changes, making bottles, getting dummys all that kind of stuff.
We thought about what we would like, what would help us to feel comfortable and try to do that for them
Good luck
My LO is 18 months now, will be 21 months when bub arrives and i don't think she has any idea that a baby is on the way. The only thing she knows is that it is getting harder to sit on my lap and breastfeed.
She also is not that excited by presents, so not really sure what preparation i can do that she will understand. I am getting the book "hello baby'" that we will read together, and we point out babies but i am still not sure whethet it will be a big shock or she will just cruise along and accept the intruder. Maybe in 3 months she will be more aware?
We moved DD out of the nursery and into her big girl room in Feb or March this year and we have a toddler bed as well as a standard single, pretty much ALL the same set up that was in the nursery.
We also have got a few books "There is a house inside my mummy", "My new baby" and "I'm a big sister now" and she loves all the books.
I will also purchase her a special present from the baby and I am hoping to have it so that she is the FIRST person aside from hubby and I to see TummyBunny when she arrives. I will be doing my best to keep EVERYONE else out and away from us that first day.
I am not sure what else to do, she is a pretty good kid and a Daddies girl so I am betting she will naturally stay more with him.
DS is 2.5 and will be 3 when the new baby comes in april. he has become toilet trained in the last month and we are working on the dummy. He has been an amazingly easy kid im waiting for it to come back and bite me! he decided 8 months ago in the middle of the night he just wasnt going to sleep in a cot anymore and a month ago decided he didnt want a nappy and began potty training VERY easily and on his own terms. Dummy seems to be the hardest thing. ive been told to use it as currency to buy him something he wants to replace it but he isnt keen. my mum had 4 of us and said take the dummy away asap but dont leave it close to the due date because it will make it harder on DS and possibly create some jealousy. i think its all about timing and understanding what they need and how they feel about it. he is aware there is a baby in my tummy and loves coming to see the baby on the doctors telly. We are going to try to get him to help with feeds and let him put the babys socks on etc but not push it on him and my DP and i have made a strict plan that our DS will get alone time with both of us at some stage of every day.
I honestly think it depends on what your child is like. But I dont think every telling your toddler they need to do something because of baby coming soon is ever a good idea. I feel like it puts pressure on the LO and is already setting up expectations that they have to live up to.
Here we talk about sprout every day. they tell sprout they love it and cant wait to meet it. DD2 is still in the cot although its been converted to a toddler bed at the moment. She knows that in the next couple of weeks shes moving up to a big girl bed becuase she will be 2yrs (and also so sprout can have somewhere to sleep).
Communication is big here, and we dont put pressure on them. I dont even ask them if they are going to be good big sisters. We just talk about them being big sisters and being lucky enough to have a little brother or sister.
We do have the theres a baby inside my mummy, and we read that. But Ive owned that since before DD1 was born as I used the book for a uni assignment once.
Go with your DD'spersonality, you will know what will and wont work.
Reply With Quote
Bookmarks