Preparing toddler for new sibling

[sasha]

I'm not sure if there's been something written about this or not - I did check the articles because I realise I'm not the first person to have more than one child LOL

Sebastian will be 18 months old when this baby is born, and I wonder how those with quite young children prepared them for the idea that there will be a new baby around? Obviously I'm only really halfway so I haven't really talked about it much with him, apart from when he hugs my tummy, then I tell him there's a baby in there. Not that he understands that anyway I don't think, which I don't really expect, I mean, he is only 13 months old!!

Is there any way I can ease him into the idea? I know they develop amazingly fast at this point, so by the time the new baby is ready to be born, he may be able to get the concept a little better than now.

thanks for any ideas,

[Visitor7]

Nina will be a little older once my 2nd DD has arrived (she'll be 21 months), but I have found in the past couple of months she has learnt and realised a lot with what is going on.

I have included her in all the planning for this baby. When we set up the nursery, we let her know that it was Emily's room. As soon as I started to show, I let her know that baby Emily was in there. I've been around other mothers who have been breastfeeding their babies' and shown Nina that Emily's milk comes from mummy, just like that baby.
It's amazing how much they actually take in and understand.

[Arimeh]

I showed DS my belly today (he is 15 months old) and said "baby" which he repeated back to me... so not sure if he understood it or not, but ... its the only thing I have really done.. lol He'll be 18 months when this one makes an appearance..

[alioops]

Sarah was 15.5 months when Emma arrived and we read stories about babies, tried not to tell her about Em too early so it didn't seem like forever to her and we gave her a toy from Em when she came to visit in hospital.

[BellyBelly]

Have you read this article? Its great:

https://www.bellybelly.com.au/baby/a-new-baby

[Danielle]

Ohhh isnt it just adorable and funny how little ones have no clue why mums belly is growing so fast!

My DD is almost 3, and she knows there is a baby in mums belly, and its name is Riley, but she has absolutely no idea how or when its coming out (in like 2 days), or even how long it will be staying at our house for.

I have sat down with her and done some beautiful drawings with her, where I draw the stick figures of our whole family including the new baby and she has to fill in whats missing like the eyes, nose, mouth hair and ears hehe. She just loves it. My DH thought I was even madder thae other night I collected all of the toilet rolls out of the toilet roll bin in the loo, and I drew faces on 3 of them being big people, cut paper hair and taped it on, and I made a little half size one with no hair and drew a dummy in its mouth. So she has a whole toilet roll family haha, even including Riley toilet roll.

I know she really has no idea and I am hoping she wont have her nose put out at all when he is born we are doing our best to give her the idea that he is ours and yes, he will be staying, oh- also I have been saying to her, "lily... this is YOUR baby Riley would you like to kiss him?" and she gives my belly a kiss and a bighug, she is at that stage where everything is hers, and I dont think its encouraging that behaviour but more like making it more special for her so she doesnt hold hatred or jealousy towards him, but will be more inclined to help feed and look after "HER" baby, hehe. I cannot wait to see the look on her face when she see's him for the first time, I am more excited for her than myself!

[Visitor7]

Danielle - that is soooo cute what you're doing with your DD! I have made sure I don't say 'this is mummy's baby', I'm always trying to say 'this is our baby' or 'this is your baby'. I too am a little worried about the jealousy thing.

Thanks for that link kelly.