Need suggestions on how to prepare a 1 year old for a new baby

Evelyn - posted on 09/28/2010

My daughter was 18mos old when we had our twins. The first thing we did when we brought them home was sit her down on the floor and put the babies in her arms (one at a time of course). After that, and since then, we always try to involve her in everything. From getting a diaper, to wipes, to shaking a bottle, getting their jammies, singing them a song when they cry, etc... basically make him your assistant. The other thing you have to do is make sure that other people don't ignore him when they come to see the baby.... this drives me nuts! If you see that they do, then you get your son's attention somehow and make sure he's not left there on his own. It's going to happen that you have to tell your son to wait because you need to tend to the new baby, just remind him that after you are done, you will play a game with him or read him a book, or something.

This has worked for us, so well in fact, that she went from calling them her brothers to her babies!

Good luck!

Tharia - posted on 09/28/2010

My son and daughter are 22 months apart. The best thing that worked was not to give the one more attention than the other. If you give the baby gets attention make sure you give the other the same amount of attention. I involved my son as much as possible. My daughter is now 10 months old and they are inseparable.

Anne - posted on 09/26/2010

I don't think there is anything wrong with giving a boy a baby doll...I plan on using that suggestion :-)

Shelly - posted on 09/26/2010

I have a 10 month old son and we are due in 6 weeeks w/ boy #2,I don't think I can get him a baby doll...any other ideas how to do this with a big brother?

Angela - posted on 09/25/2010

lol we are in the same boat too! our second is due in 6 weeks and we have a just turned 10month old... I have been trying to prepare our "big girl" by talking about the baby and encouraging her to feel him/her kick but she is so little she doesnt understand... I am planning on getting her a present from the baby which will be a doll that she can cuddle etc so I hope that will help.. but any other tips would be great :D

Marged - posted on 09/24/2010

My daughter was 16 mths old when we had our son, and it was the best time ever. Lily wasn't bothered at all by him as we still gave her the attention she was used to and she stil does now. They are so good together, now that Christopher is sitting up & laughing she gets more involved. She will sit on the floor with him, throw her hands on the floor like he does & he is in fits of laughter. Its lush to see and she makes him laugh, even just by looking at him n doing a false laugh!

Jenasie - posted on 09/24/2010

My friend had them real close too and she bought her first child a baby doll and let him do everything on his baby while she was doing things with the real baby. Plus just involving them in everything you do makes them not feel left out.

Elisabeth - posted on 09/24/2010

Don't hold him all the time. If you're holding him all the time now, it will be harder for him when the baby comes. Other than that, expect him to be jealous and not understand why the baby needs mommy's attention, but they can't understand that much at that age.

Avril - posted on 09/22/2010

at that age it is hard being a mum of 6 kids which 3 r under 2yrs and 2 of em r twins its hard as they dont understand get him to lay his head on ur tummy so he can feel the live u have in there and say things like mum new baby ur bro ect but when the baby is born involve him in everythink u do with the new baby my 10mnth ol was born 2wks befor my twins 1st bithday and when i came home from the hospital my twins was in bed but in the morning when they saw there new bro there face was a picture

Anne - posted on 09/20/2010

is no one going to respond? lol

Ashley - posted on 09/14/2010

Ahh! Im in pretty much the same situation, except My Daughter is almost 11 months, and my second is due in about a week!! Need some help with this! :)