How to get DD ready for baby

Hi all,

So i'm new to this, I've been surprised and blessed with finding out today I'm pregnant with our second buddle of joy, however DD is only 7 months old now so will be around 17months when the new bub is born.

She loves having stories read to her so we have been reading theres a house inside my mummy already becusae we knew we would have one eventually but didnt realise it would happen so fast the 2nd time /gulp

How do you suggest I get her ready? I know she is a little young now but she will be aware enough closer to the due date.

Thanks for the suggestions!

L

Well, I am not commenting from experience b/c my DD will be nearly 5.5 yo when this one comes along, so she can understand a little better what is going on. For us, we just don't make a big deal about things like this. Our DD copes better with factual information and not constantly talking about it. The more we talk about it the worse it is for her - she overthinks things then and she is quite emotional about the change. She knows I am having a baby & I will be in hospital for a little while & she will stay at her Nanas and that is it. I don't constantly talk about the baby. She will have alot to deal with at the end of this year (I am due November) and she starts school next year, so I want to focus also on her, not just about the baby. It is what it is for us & she will just have to cope, which I am confident she will with no worries, particularly with us not making a big deal about it. I think the reading is a great idea. I think you will have to gauge what your DD is like and tackle it from there. GL

I think you will find your DD will still be young enough to be confused for a few days, then quickly take it all in. My DS was only 12 months when his brother was born... So too young to grasp anything really. This time round DS1 will be 3 DS2 will be 2, I think I might buy them their own baby doll so we can look after our babies all together!

Also 9 months is a long time so I mention the baby every now and then but found my oldest keeps asking when the baby is coming so I'll hold off to much info until I'm nearly ready to burst!

my DSs are 14 months apart, DS2 was called 'pickle' in utero so DS1 used to hug 'pickle' and kiss him to, we also bought him is own doll so that when DS2 arrived DS1 had is own baby it feed, burp and put to sleep. despite everything we tried he would still get jealous at his lack of attention but after a few weeks he grasped that if he was quiet for a few minutes it meant that i could get DS2 off to sleep and play with him quicker. by the time DS1 was 18 months he was the perfect big brother so i think at 17 months your DD should be fine :) good luck and congratulations :)

We got a baby doll and collected a special wrap, bib wipes etc so and then dd2 with ds had their own special baby to look after. We also moved them out of the cot into a bed well before the new arrival. The last thing we did was put together a special box with books and quiet toys to play with while I was breastfeeding. In the end they would often snuggle up and just watch fascinated, or get a burpie cloth etc.

Thanks for the ideas guys :) anyone given a gift from the baby to the older child?

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my girls are about 2.5 yrs apart. I used to take DD1 to my appts sometimes to listen to baby's heart. We'd talk about baby in mummys tummy, read some books closer to the time about mummy having to go into hospital and that grandma will look after her, didn't want her to wake suddenly not knowing where we were if we had to go off in the night or something. DD1 also helped set up the room ready for baby, helped pick some baby clothing etc.
And we did do the gift thing, DD2 gave DD1 a baby born doll so we could have our babies together.