How have you prepared your child for the new addition?

Angela - posted on 12/01/2009

I have a 2yr old and she is a second child. Her sister (who is 4) took her arrival very well and I believe will take the 3rd good to. I try to talk a lot about what the baby will be like when he arrives. How he will cry and what we have to do to help him stop. You know the basics. Also, I watch Bringing Home Baby and The Baby Story on TLC with her so she can get a visual about what a new baby is like. Just remember though, it is an adjustment and you will have to let the 2yr old pitch in in ways they can, getting the diapers, shaking the bottle things like that. It might not be easy but you have to stick with it and things will work out. Good Luck to everyone in this situation.

Christina - posted on 11/21/2009

what i have done with all of mine is when i got to my 3rd trimester i use the babys name. make comments about when your sister or brother gets here. my daughter wasnt hard with having my son because her dad had already had one and she was 7 when my son got here. my son being adhd is a little harder to explain it to so what we did is when we had the baby shower and came home i let him help me put everything away and when he asked what it was for i told him this is for when your sister comes home after christmas. as your getting ready for the baby let them help you pack your bag and fold the clothes if you wash them before hand and so forth. i hope this helps.

Christine - posted on 11/20/2009

My son will be 2.5yo when bub arrives. To make things easier, I thought I would get two things out of the way by the end of the year - the move from cot to toddler bed and toilet training. The transition to toddler bed went well and now we are toilet training him.
I was also recommended a book called 'There's a House in Mummy's tummy' - which is great because my son is able to make the connection between the mummy in the book and me. I have tried to show and let him the feel the movement in my tummy but he's too busy and won't sit still for long enough!!
My husband is also starting to take over some of the things I do so that my son will hopefully get used to the fact that I won't be there all the time. We also talk about the new baby in our everyday conversation and reiterate that he is going to be a big brother etc.
I have heard from friends that giving your older child a doll and stroller helps, esp when the baby arrives.

April - posted on 11/18/2009

My daughter is 2 1/2 and we have been talking about the baby since we found out last May. She understands that her brother is in mommy's tummy and she is constantly kissing my tummy, or trying to share a toy, but I still think no matter how much we talk about it or prepare it's still going to be a shock. She is the first grandchild on my side and is so spoiled by attention. She hates sharing me wiht other kids so I am not sure how she is going to take me holding and nursing the new baby. I just keep on praying.

Melissa - posted on 11/18/2009

My daughter is 17 months and will be 19 when the baby comes. all i ahev really done is tell her she is going to have a little sister and i tell her the baby is in my belly but she is too little to understand anything. im hoping that she will adjust and it wont be too hard on anyone, i have my fingers crossed.

Holli - posted on 11/18/2009

I'm in the same situation, my daughter is 18 months old and will be about 20 months when the baby is born. She always got a confused look on her face when I told her there was a baby in Mommy's tummy, then the other day I showed her a bunch of pictures of babies and now she comes to my belly and says baby and kisses it. I also tell her that she is going to be a big sister soon. I just hope it works. Good luck!

Heather - posted on 11/17/2009

this is my second, my son just turned 3. i have been trying to get him used to the idea also. we watch alot of discovery health, the baby programs, he acctually likes them. i also let him feel the baby move, and i have been buying him book (he lovess books) about big brother stories. i hope he understands, but like u i am home all day right now, and is used to having my undevided attention. it scares me how he is going to act when she comes.