Any tips for preparing a 2 year old for a baby?

Question

Did you transition to a bed before the baby arrived or wait until after? Did you read any books? Was there anything you regret not doing before #2 arrived?
I was hoping to take a last trip with just the 3 of us but it’s not currently looking like a great idea with covid ☹️

Answer

We transitioned our 2.5 year old to a twin bed/ his big boy bedroom. This was 2-3 months before his brother came. I wanted to give him enough time before the baby with that so he wouldn't feel like the baby was taking his room. We bought a baby doll to practice with around the house to help him prepare. He learned to be gentle with the baby which was our main goal.

Answer

We talked about it a lot and what babies do and don’t do. We read some books. We transitioned my daughter to the crib transitioned to a toddler bed and then we moved when the baby was 4 months so he was still in the bassinet but we got her a big girl bed set and put it in her new room and then stated him in his crib.

Answer

We transitioned him to a twin bed about two months before baby because we needed the crib and didn’t want to take it away after the baby arrived. We bought him a cabbage patch doll that he takes care of and he has a big brother book we read sometimes. We set up stuff gradually and with his help so he feels part of it. Our pediatrician said to make a super, over the top, big deal about him helping even with small stuff. Baby arrives tomorrow so hopefully everyone is ready!

Answer

We transitioned my son at 2 into a toddler bed (3, almost 4 months ago) so we just needed to buy a new mattress for the baby. We got him an airplane bed since he loves planes. We had to re-sleep train him with a new bed and he was solid after 3 nights. Occasionally he’ll regress and want us with him but we follow the same routine. 
We read a big brother book to him. And talk a lot about his baby brother going to be here soon. He’s been in the nursery and has helped me set it up and fold baby clothes. We constantly tell him that he’s going to be a great big brother and tell him what the baby is going to be doing. I’m going to be 37 weeks in two days so 🤞🏼that he does well with the actual transition. I know he has his mood swings, and there will be ups and downs but I think he’ll be really great.

Answer

We did not do any big transitions right before baby came. 
We talked a lot about the baby and got her a few baby dolls. We read books about being a big sister.

Answer

My son was just turning 2 when I got pregnant, he transitions at 21 months to a toddler bed (was climbing out, don’t recommend unless you need the crib or babe is climbing out) so we had finally gotten over that transition, we talked a lot about being a big brother, read stories (there are some really cute big sibling books on amazon for cheap) and when baby came big things that helped were validating my older son when I needed to help him and baby fussed “I’ll be right there (younger babe) I’m helping (older babe)” it was rough for a bit, and still sometimes (10months) but generally it’s been manageable.

Any tips for preparing a 2 year old for a baby?

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