how do you or did you prepare your toddler for new baby coming

Jaclyn - posted on 11/29/2009

My son is currently 3 and will just turn 4 when his baby brother is born in March. He was at an in home daycare that had several siblings, so he was able to see his friends become big brothers and sisters, he also saw how they interacted with thier siblings. Which I think will help. He also has been helping take care of the babies at daycare since he was 2, handing them a toy or holding a bottle. He got really attached to one of the babies, so we got him a newborn cabbage patch boy, to care for. Now he knows mommy is having a baby, he has been very involved and he loves to listen to the babies heart and kiss my belly and give his brother raspberries. I tell him all of the time that I love my 2 boys and that his brother is not going to change anything. My son is acting up more lately and I just have to keep on him that he is not doing something that is accepable, it's tough but you just need to let them know what is ok and what is not. I also make a point of letting him know when he is doing a good behavior, so he does gets attention and an insetive to do the good behavior. Good Luck!

Jennifer - posted on 11/22/2009

My son was 14 months old when our daughter was born, so he was too young for us to tell him what was going on. However, my sister had her kids 3 years apart and she said her son went thru a similar phase. She told me that whenever she talked about the baby to him, she would say "your baby sister"... She did this to help him feel connected to her and in a way, like she was "his" too. Now, he has become very proud and protective of her, and he is doing much better now. Also, she talked to him about getting a big brother gift that he would get when the baby was born. It gave him something to look forward too and now, whenever I go over to his house, he always has to show me the trainset he got when "his baby sister" was born!

Kelly - posted on 11/19/2009

I amgoing to keep a eye on this one...

My son will be just over 3 when i have my next one. (hes in april and this one is due in june) i have started to tell him now that mummy has a baby in her tummy and he will rub my belly when i remind him... I think when i show and get further along he will get it a little more.

So will be keeping a eye on her to see how others went/going.

Debbie - posted on 11/18/2009

Hi Crystal, congratulations to you and i wish you all the best with your up coming birth. thanks for the advice we have included my little girl every step of the way she comes to all the hospital and doctors appts except for the antinatal classes that we did so that she didnt feel left out. i havent asked her what she is going to do as a big sister and i think i will talk to her about that later today and see what she has to say.

Crystal - posted on 11/18/2009

I have the same situation, but Im due about a month before you and my daughter turns 3 in dec. She started acting out, being clingy, and acting like a baby again. So my husband and I started asking her what she is doing to do as a big sister, and telling her that she cant be like this because the baby needs to be a big girl and be good, so that she will know how to. It took a little while, but now she is acting normal again and starting to help me do things, expecially when it comes to getting ready for her sister. I involve her as much as I can so that she starts to feel like she is contributing, lol. I hope this helps :)