How to prepare 2 year old for new baby?

Lissa - posted on 07/11/2010

MY daughter was 15 months old when I had my youngest son, we talked about the baby growing she saw ultrasound and heard his heartbeat. We just kept reminding her when talking that when the day came I would be going to hospital for a while with Daddy and we would bring a brother or sister home. It's a great age to have a sibling as apparently before the age of three they don't really have the concept of jealousy and just accept it, my daughter certainly did. We also bought a present for her from the baby to celebrate her becoming an older sister. We avoided saying big sister as a friends child got very upset about being the big sister because she didn't want to be big she wanted to stay little : ) Personally I also avoided saying the new baby as I didn't want her to feel replaced. Children love to be involved Lily liked to help by getting nappies and wipes, passing a bib, any little job she could do. I had Joshua at 6pm and was home by 9pm, Lily was asleep but I will never forget when she came down in the morning came over kissed him and said "our baby osswa" (Joshua).

Julie - posted on 07/11/2010

My son will be almost exactly 2 when my daughter is born; she is due about a week before his birthday, so I'm dealing with the same issue. We took my son to the ultrasound, and we tell him there is a baby in Mommy's belly, but I don't think he really gets it. He does like to poke my belly button, and for a while he would give my belly kisses, but has quit doing that.

When my daughter is born, we want to include him as much as possible. My mom will be keeping him when we go to the hospital; she only lives 5 minutes away, and he's stayed with her before so that shouldn't be a problem. She'll bring him to the hospital to visit after our daughter is born, and when it's time for us to take her home, I want my son at the hospital so we can all ride home together as a family.

Rachel - posted on 07/11/2010

When I was pregnant with my daughter i used to take my son to the ultrasound appointments and he got to see her on the screen he was so excited and then we told him she is in mommy's belly he would kiss my belly and say hi to his sister. and when I went in to have her i had one of my family members bring him in later that day after she was born so he could see her and was more included. now he is 3 and loves his little sister he helps with her all the time. even the little stuff like throwing away a diaper it makes him feel important and included. Good Luck and congratulations.

Heather - posted on 07/11/2010

what we did with my son when my daughter was born, was we told him where mommy was going, we actually took him to an ultrasound and dr appt. so he could see the baby and hear her heartbeat... so he was kinda aware that someone new was coming. then after i had her, before he came to the hospital we made up a little gift bag for him... complete with big brother shirt, some new crayons a coloring book etc... and we told him it was from his sister- to tell him how excited she was to have him for a big brother. =)