How old is your toddler?

Ashley - posted on 05/03/2010

my son was 18 months when my daughter was born. from the time i found out i was pregnant i told my son there was a baby in mommys tummy, i would show him pictures of babys and we talked about it a lot, he even has a little kids picture dictionary and there is a pregnant woman in it and when he saw that picture he said "mommy". I was really surprised how much he understood. Then when she was born she was in the NICU so he wasnt allowed to see her till we brought her home when she was 2 months old, but the whole time she was in the hospital he knew when we got to the waiting room that mommy was going to see Rylie and he could recognize her in pictures, he was so excited the first tim her got to see his "Ry-Ry" and he loves to help take care of her. He is now 2 adn she is 6 months.

Melissa - posted on 05/03/2010

Just keep talking about it. You can even tell her it's HER baby so she will understand that this is something that will be a part of her too. I knew a little boy who was expecting a sibling and just did not like the idea until his parents started calling it HIS baby. They even did it in conversations "John's baby sister was just born!!" They let him go shopping for the baby. They took plenty of photos of them together and he even put a little picture in his wallet and showed it to everyone saying "This is my baby!" lol Just make them feel like it is something for them to enjoy too. You just have to exaggerate with toddlers a bit hence the adult conversation "John's baby sister was born"

Erinn - posted on 03/13/2009

I actually had the same situation happen. My son was was 2 when my daughter was born, he just turned 3 and my daughter is now 4 months old. I was very worried about how my son was gonna deal with no longer being the only child, he's a real attention seeker and he was too young to REALLY understand what a new baby was gonna mean! He still gets a little jealous here and there, but he absolutely loves his sissy! I always have special little jobs for him to help me with ( usually throwing out diapers or grabbing one of sissy's outfits.) It helps him to feel like the "big helper" and gives him a sense of pride! It's also a huge help for me!! I also try to set some "mommy/son" time aside where I do something just with him and my husband takes our daughter, just to let him know that he still matters and we still love him just as much!! Good luck!

Kelly - posted on 03/12/2009

My boys are 13 months apart...your first born will probably be asking for some attention and it is important to give her some (or her daddy). She is to young to understand that there is a baby on the way and so there isn't much you can do to prepare her. You'll see she will adjust and love her little brother or sister. Good luck

Viola - posted on 03/12/2009

my daughter victoria 2 1/2 was really good about it mostly she would kiss my belly and try to give her sister a binkie she would put it on my belly then make sucking sounds lol...my other daughter isabella is 2 months now and shes a big help somtimes she wants to love and kiss and hug and hold her all the time..... you will be fine she will understand even if she dont till you have the baby good luck

Jessica - posted on 03/11/2009

I have a 9 yr old daughter and a 17 month old son who will be 18 months when my next baby is due in two weeks:) Yea, 2 weeks. My daughter is super excited although she wanted a sister and my son knows that when I ask him where the baby is he knows to point to my belly. He doesnt understand what is actually happening though so I will have to cross that bridge after the baby is born. It will definately be a reality check for me:)

Amanda - posted on 03/11/2009

Well there isn't really much you can do with her until the baby comes, my daughter was 14 months when i had her little sister and at first she didn't understand why she wasn't the baby anymore but overtime she slowly learned to love her bay sister, she is 18 months now and bay is almost four months and she is becoming quite the little helper when it comes to her baby sister,so I wouldn't worry to much about it until baby is born, for now jsut tell her that mummy has a baby in her tummy and soon she will get to see baby and spend time with him/her when baby is born!

Leron - posted on 03/11/2009

One thing my parents did for me (I was 3 when my brother was born) was to put a cabbage patch baby on layaway in her 3rd trimester. When mom went to the hospital to 'get her baby' my grandma took me to walmart to 'get' mine. When mom was busy with 'her' baby i was busy with mine. They said it really helped. Obviously that works better with older kids.

Leron - posted on 03/11/2009

Our son is 17 months. He doesn't understand that there's a baby coming to stay with us but we talked about what is most important for him to learn and that (to us) is that babies are fragile and he needs to be gentle. We designated one bear to be baby bear..."Baby Bear" is to be held gently and kissed and set down nicely, so on and so forth. He really understands that and it seems to be carrying over with other babies that he sees. I don't know how that will go once the little one is here full time but it's a start.

On the funny side. He refers to his belly as 'bay bun' (belly button) and mine and baby. My husband (who has a bit of a gut) had his shirt off and Paxton pointed to his and said "Baby?" So cute!

I think every one has good advice...I think kids pick up on things like stress and jealousy and so by being calm and prepared it will help the older ones adjust.

Jess - posted on 03/10/2009

Mine are 22 months apart, 16 months apart and 15 months apart.  The older ones got more preparations for new babies, the younger ones always took it in their stride.  We started teaching things like comming when called and sitting quietly on a blanket etc. Christopher now 17 months) ADORES his younger sister (8 weeks) and constantly gives her kisses, Billy ignored Christopher until after he was crawling and Erin (who was 22 months at the time) cried every time Billy did because she was upset that HE was upset.  They are all individuals!

Adrienne - posted on 03/10/2009

Both my boys share the same birthday one year apart. It was harder to try to have him understand that he was getting a baby brother. But after his brother was born it took some getting use to but now they are the best of friends except when my oldest wants alone time. But we showed our oldest the ultrasound pictures and said that's your baby brother. I use to have him lay on my belly and feel the baby kicking and saying that's your baby brother.

Good Luck!

Lisa - posted on 03/09/2009

My daughter will be 22½ months on Mother's Day when baby #2 comes. We do not know the sex of the baby, but one of my girlfriends who had two boys went out and bought her oldest a baby set. We got my daughter the Graco set that includes baby, stroller, baby bed and high chair. It also comes with a bottle and other little things that baby needs. Baby is also interactive which we do not use that much since she is only 20 months right now, but we have been using the story of mommy needs to feed the baby, so why don't you feed your baby?? She LOVES playing with her baby and just in the last two months has gotten a lot better about understanding it. She has also watched my belly get bigger, and she has also listened to baby's heartbeat at the doctors office. - Do you watch any kind of shows with babies in them?? Any friends with new babies possibly that would make it a little more real. Unfortunately, I don't think at this age she can really grasp the concept until baby comes home and STAYS..... That's the conclusion my hubby and I have came to. When you start preparing try to involve her as much as possible and keep telling her there is a baby coming and it's in mommy's belly???!!! - My daughter just in the last week is convinced she has a baby in her belly which is kind of hard to explain, but only time will tell, and when baby comes home. GOOD LUCK to you!!!

Laurie - posted on 03/09/2009

A suggestion for Beck - something my mother told me was that when she was preparing for the birth of my brother (we are 2.5 years apart) is that rather than ignoring me she started to get me used to the idea of "wait a minute". Also being a helper - such as going and getting things upon request. My own son is going to be 21 months (he's 15 months now) when my second is born and he is just getting to the point where he understands simple directions so I am not sure how wait a minute will work with him....

Dana - posted on 02/26/2009

My daughter is just over 2 and my second baby is due in 5 months.  I just read her social stories and books about a new baby sister or brother.  I also show her with her dolls how to be "gentle" and "soft"  She is always kissing my tummy and saying it's her "baby sister".  Some of my girlfriends have new babies so I bring her around them to show her how to act and touch.  When she see's them I tell her that her new baby sister or brother will be small and delicate like that and she has to help mommy alot to be a big sister.  I don't think there is really a way to completely prepare them for what is to come, especially when they are too young to really understand.   It will probably take alot of hands on and careful monitoring for the first little while!   Good luck and have fun!

Darci - posted on 02/24/2009

My first two children are 15 1/2 months apart, and my first child (daughter) didn't really pay too much attention to the baby (son) for the first 3 months.  This was okay, and they love to play together now... she's now 3 and he'll be 2 next month.  Baby number 3 in on the way (due May 22nd), and I think this will be a whole new adventure for the two of them.

My daughter has informed me that I have a baby girl in my tummy... she does too, of course.  And, we are going to name her Elizabeth (we told her this), but she remembers and repeats it frequently.  I'm not sure what kind of fun we'll have if it is a boy in my tummy.  My son also is pretty sure we're having a girl, and doesn't really seem to interested in a baby.

While expecting a new baby, I try to expose my children to as many babies as I can.  When I see a newborn, I always mention to my children to "see the baby"... and tell them that we'll soon have a baby like that at our house.  We talk about the new baby coming to "play"...

Beck - posted on 02/24/2009

I have a 13 month old and she will be 18 months when my next is born, I'm worried about jealousy as she is becoming alot more clingy now. I was told by my husband I am going to have to start ignoring her more as she wont be able to have my attention all the time when the baby arrives. I don't know if the idea will work I'll keep you posted. But other than that I will keep an eye on this page and maybe get some ideas for myself :)

Kate - posted on 11/24/2008

keep telling her about it. When I was pregnant with my second, my first was around that age (they are 14 mos. apart). We just let him pat my tummy alot, and give the "baby" kisses, encouraged him to say hi to his brother, etc. etc. I have a friend whose firstborn (around 20 mos. at the time) tried to feed the baby a tortilla chip through her belly button. I think you just have to be persistent and engage her in a lot of baby talk.