How to help big brother adjust.. think of buying a baby doll?

Question

Hi ladies. Those of you who have more than one child, what did you do to help them adjust to not being the only child anymore? I’ve wanted to buy my son a baby doll so he can learn how to be gentle and “practice” with it. That’s the only idea I have really! Does anyone have any other ideas, or would this be a good start? Thanks ladies!

Answer

My daughter was 2 when I was pregnant with my son. We talked a lot about the baby in mommy’s tummy and would tell her she could talk to him and sing him songs in my tummy. After he was born she would sing him the same songs when he would cry. She would also show us how she would help with him using her baby dolls so I think getting one is a great idea. My son has had a baby doll since he was a baby, he’s now 3 and when we told him I was pregnant he put the doll in his shirt to be pregnant too then showed us how he would take care of the new baby. I think baby dolls are a great way to talk about being gentle with baby and practice the things they can do with the new baby especially if they’re not used to being around babies. 
We also do things like made sure we say goodnight to the babies in my tummy each night then I’ll say “goodnight big brother, love you”.
My daughter had some big sister books too but I don’t think she cared that much about them. 
It will be a shock to the older child no matter what you do but getting them used to the idea of a baby helps a lot. My daughter loves her brother more than anyone else and has since he was born, she was in love with him before he was born. I think it’s partially because she was so prepared for the idea of him, she took all of her new sibling frustration out on me and her dad which we were ok with.

Answer

We don't have toddlers but we do have large dogs that think they are lap dogs. 
we have a bear that is newborn size that we practice with by changing the diaper on the floor and it's onesie. we walk with it in the stroller with the dogs (who are still terrified of the stroller) 
it's helping because when we pull out the changing pad the come over and lay down next to me gently and watch. before they would try lay on top of it.

Answer

My 2 year old has a doll that he cuddles and washes in the bath. He’s also been around my friend’s baby and we remind him to be gentle and he is so sweet with her. I think a doll and being around other babies helps to prepare them a little bit 😊

Answer

I didn’t do anything but I probably should have…although to be honest my first boy had no interest in dolls or babies (hence why I didn’t buy one). Fast forward 5 years and now my two boys love the idea of a baby and my youngest has carried his “baby” around in his shirt like baby carrying for months. I think every kid and their interest in a baby is different.

Answer

We mostly read books. My bonus mom got our oldest when she was about to become a big sister, some big sister books! I'd read a page, relate it to real life, and continue doing so the whole book. There's also a bunch of television programs that have to do with welcoming a new baby into the house. These things are really helpful tools!
Having them feel involved once baby is here is a pretty big deal though. Like, helping to grab diapers, helping to burp the baby, singing to the baby, and getting lots of mommy/toddler time while baby is sleeping. Easier said than done for sure, but makes a difference in how they see the new baby! 
I'm starting to read those big sister books to my soon to be middle child now. And we'll be heading to the store in a few months to start picking out little things for baby! Maybe paint some pictures for it.