How to prepare a child for a newborn?

Question

Hi all. Can you please give me tips on how can prepare my toddler for her sibling? My toddler just turned 2, so still too young to understand the concept of pregnancy and birth... but I still want to get her prepared to meet her new sibling. I remember growing up, I had this childish resentment towards my younger sister lol because I felt that she came to take my parents attention away from me. As crazy as that sounds, I wasn’t prepared for a sibling. I just came home to a new baby that was going to be there forever lol so with that feelings in mind, I want to prepare my toddler as best as I can. Also, how do I share attention between both siblings? I’m sure we would all agree that babies will get more attention... so how do I balance things? Thoughts and opinions will be very much appreciated. Thank you 💖

Answer

My son is also 2, will be almost 3 when his sister is born. We read "big brother" themed books. I let him help shop for her and pick out special things for his sister, he goes to my appointments with he to "listen to sissy" and he helped me put her blanket in her carseat and we talk about her "when sissy comes home" "your baby sister" and he knows his sisters name. Just try to get him as involved as we can and as age appropriate as possible. He will sometimes come up to my belly and hug his sister and he says "I love my sister!" Often. I still dont think he realizes shes going to be here in a month but we tried our best haha

Answer

My son was three when my second was born.  We prepared him by having him “help” us put together the nursery telling him it was for his baby brother.  I took him to all my doctors appointments as well.  When the baby was born and my son came to the hospital I had my mom holding the baby so my son could have some time with my husband and I before we introduced his brother.  We also make it a priority to go on little “dates” with just my son and I think that’s really important with all the attention you have to give the baby.

Answer

My son was 2.5 when our second was born. We read big brother books a lot and we showed him our 3D ultrasound pictures (he was actually there for that ultrasound but was totally uninterested). We talked about the baby a lot too. And he was super into Boss Baby at the time so we could say “you’re gonna be like Tim and our baby will be like Boss Baby.” But I think the best thing was daycare. We use an in-home daycare so all ages and a new baby started a month before I was due so he had some fresh experience with babies when his baby brother was born.
As for sharing time, I wore the baby as often as I could. Baby slept a lot when I was wearing him and I was free to do activities with my toddler like painting and baking. My husband took our toddler to the movies for the first time a week after baby was born, that was special. And toddler goes to bed 30-45 minutes after baby so that time is all his time.

Answer

My daughter will be 20 months when her brother arrives... I’m not sure how to prep her for it. 
I am keeping her in full time daycare for 2 months then down to part time after that to try to keep her routine and to help keep her busy during the day while I’m exhausted through the beginning.

Answer

I got my (at the time 3yo) son a doll to practice with. Still plays with her (5yo) cause he's a mother hen, and is a great big brother.

How to prepare a child for a newborn?

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