New Baby with Toddler

Just keep telling her about her little sis/bro. Get her involved in as much prep for the baby as you can. Let her help make decisions on colors, clothes, etc for the new lil one. Explain to her that she is going to be Mommy's helper once the new baby arrives. All this will make her feel much more involved and hopefully deter some jealousy. My DD was 22 months old when I had my DS and she thought he was "her" baby. She was so proud of him and wanted to be so helpful. She brought me diapers and wipes and would even tell me he when he needed his diaper changed. I got her a baby doll that cried and took a pacifier so she could "mother" it in preparation of "her" real baby. I think since your oldest is a girl that she will just have those mothering instincts. Also, try to have special one on one time with her once the baby comes. Let her know how special she is and that you love her just as much as you always did before the new baby. You just can't beat the bond between siblings. It is so precious to watch them bond when they are so little and it is just instinctual with them. Relax and trust that they will love each other fiercely, cuz they will.

GL with the new one and congrats!

My children are 21 months apart and the best advice I got was when your daughter first comes to the hospital, don't be holding the baby. Give her all your attention. Then once she feels comfortable in the room, ask her if she would like to meet the baby. Have the baby give her a gift (all kids love new toys). My son was so happy to see just me, then he loved meeting his sister and he really loved his new truck from his sister. This worked well for us. Just keep talking about the baby and she will do great!!!!!!!

my son turned two in january and my daughter was born the first part of feb. when it was the first time to see her we recorded it. he loves her! i thought he would be annoyed and try to hit her. but that is his little sister. there was one issue at daycare and my son threw fits for a few days in a row about him wanting her to stay at daycare and not go home. i explained no she gets to go home with us. then daycare explained that she was the little sister and she isnt leaving she is here to stay and she is going home with you every day. he got over it after that. no other problems other than juggling both....ughhh espically when they are both crying and you need to bottle one and the other dosent want to eat what i made...those days arent much fun. but its truly great the love they have for each other.

Congrats!
My two boys are 22 months apart (to the day!) and my older son was very curious about what was going on with my belly and about the baby growing. I just kept talking to him about his little brother and read books to him. I agree with the other posters ... just keep talking about it and make the older child feel involved.

Hey I'm right there with you!!
My son just turned 2 a few days ago, and my new baby is due Sept. 7th :)

Um I pretty much just talk to my son about the baby as much as I can.
I have him feel the baby moving etc.
I had the same worries as you. I got great advice from my mom on this subject. She had 4 kids under the age of 5 and 3 of which were in diapers.
She told me
to make sure you always include your first born in what you are doing with the baby. Have them help clean, feed, etc. Make them feel apart of the situation instead of cast out.
Oh she also said whenever she was in the hospital having a baby, she would bring home a toy for the kids waiting at home
Good luck!

My husband was at home the summer before our youngest was born. He talked a lot about babies with our oldest, taught him how to swaddle his Glo-Worm, and had him "help" get the baby's things in order. When our oldest came to the hospital to meet his brother, little brother "gave" him a book about animals... which was pretty much the best decision that we made! We talked a lot about brothers, babies, etc. It took a little bit, but our oldest has fallen hard for our youngest... and vice versa. They are 22 months apart. Just keep being open and honest, and it will work out.

Hi, my two are the same age difference. The advice below is great! One thing to add...my sister (whose kids are 2 years also) advised me to make sure I don't drop everything I'm doing with the oldest if the baby cries. As long as it isn't an emergency, if the baby is fussing a little in the crib while you finish a book or game, it will be fine. Then my oldest didn't think that he got dismissed every cry or fuss from the baby. I also made sure visitors gave some attention to him as well. It's not all about the baby. He loved helping by getting toys or a clean diaper or making the baby laugh.

It was hard sometimes but so worth it. Enjoy.

First of all, congratulations!!!

Our kids are 21 months apart. We had people give us books and all kinds of advice. In the end, it's all about talking to your child, prepping them about what's in your belly, what will be arriving.

In the end, a lot of it is the child's personality and how you approach it before and after the baby arrives. Personality of the older child seems to be the main driver of how it will go.