Preparing for new baby- stressed :help:

Any advice on how to start preparing 16month old for arrival of new baby?
I thought there was an article but i cant seem to find it.
I've been pointing out 'bubbas' to her wherever we see them and she gets excited and says 'bubba' too and will even bring things to show us with pcitures of babies on them. I'll also buy her a baby doll when the new baby comes along.
We just moved house 2 weeks ago and she is really clingy so i am worried that she is going to feel really put out when the new baby comes (understandably) but i'm also really worried about how to deal with her clinginess with the new baby...like, what will i do when i have to sit and feed for an hour or so and she wants my attention?:help:

Hi,

I haven't been through this yet but when the time comes i am going to get DS a doll too so he can have a baby like mum. When you are changing, dressing, bathing the new baby you cant get DD to be near you and she can show you how she can do it all with her baby, that is what im planning to do, that way they feel involved iykwim.

As for feeding time make up a little box of things for DD, like a puzzle, some colouring in books, crayon, story book etc and keep it by the place you will feed bubs and when you are feeding dd can play with these things and you could even have her sit with you and ask her to talk to bubs nice and quietly or sing softly etc, another thing that may be a good idea is to have a drink yourself while feeding and let DD have a drink and a little snack during some feed's and tell her that you are all having a snack together.

As i said i haven't experienced this yet, so these are just some ideas. Im sure the other ladies with experience will give you some more idea's:)

Taralea, you will be amazed at how accepting your toddler will be of the baby. My first two were 16 months apart and I had that worry too. I think the main worry was when I was in hospital, I didnt know how my eldest would go, but she was fine. She absolutely loooooved her little sister hehe.

I also bought a gift for the toddler from the baby, so that she thought of the baby as a good person, not someone that is going to take mum away etc. And amazingly enough she was really helpful too, she would get me nappies and anything I wanted for the baby. She would kiss her all the time and they were like best buddies.

Im sure that your little one will be fine with the baby. What you are doing (showing her other babies etc) is a great idea cause then they get an idea of how small "her" baby will be. Maybe even buy her the baby you wanted to buy her (when the baby comes) now rather than when bubs actually arrives? I think the only thing you will have to watch is that she doesnt try to carry bubs around! I didnt find that happened with my first 2, but when I had my 4th my eldest did try to carry him a couple of times, but I explained to her that he can easily get "broken" and she was ok with that lol.

Anyway, all the best and Im sure you will be amazed at how she will be with the new bub. I think because she isnt that old (I have heard of others getting upset when the new bub comes along, but they are usually older children) she will accept things and be very protective of her little baby hehe.

Good luck anyway,
Lindy.

Thanks, guys. lots of things to think about!!!
Lindy, i am thinking the same thing about being away in hospital so i am going to ask my IL's to have a fre "practice sleep-overs' before baby comes so evie will get used to having them here. fingers crossed!