Wondering..

What i did for my son was we told him that he was going to be a big brother and he instantly asked for a doll so we got him a baby that he could take care of!!!! Then about a month before my due date we took him to the store and told him that we needed to get stuff for the baby and asked him to pick things out! YOu know the blinkets, bibs, washclothes, even crib bedding!!! Then we let him help us set things up and put them where he thaught was nice!!! Also we made the baby shower about JJ becoming a big brothere so that he was the one getting the gifts for his little sister!!! I just did everything that any pregnant woman would do but included my son so that he could understand that a baby wasn't just gonna appear!!!!! I hope this helps have fun, October babies have a special place in my heart since my son is one!!! =)

Go buy a couple of small gifts for your daughter, that way when somebody brings a gift for the baby you can give her one too. Most people don't think to bring a gift for the new big sister! That way she won't feel like the baby is more loved then her by friends and other family members. It's a small way to help even things out when most of the attention will be her little brothers for the first couple of weeks. Hope this helps!

Talk to her... My sister in law had her kids at about the same interval yours WILL be. She got my nephew a baby doll & explained to him that when baby comes he has to be a big brother. That he has to help A LOT.... getting diapers & wipes & helping to put baby down for a nap. He did & know he's 4 & my niece is almost 2 & they are GREAT together!

Hi L.,

Boy are you going to have your hands full when #2 arrives! That is why God gives children to the young! For your question, I made a shirt that said "Best Big Sister" and when the baby arrives you can give your daughter a lifelike doll, so you both have babies. Let her gently hold the baby's hand and feel the feet but make it clear she can't go for the eyes. They seem to do that, straight for the eyes! Kinda creepy huh? You'll be happily suprised at how well she takes to the new baby. Talk about the baby and include her: "you have to teach the baby how to do all the big girl things you do..." It'll all work out and you will have a lovely little family. Good luck!

V.

L.,

Being in the same vote, but due in april, I asked several of my friends what they did. Of all the advice I have recieved, the one that worked the best is: At the hospital, after the baby is born (not before, you don't want her to accidently rip out your I.V., or scare her) have whom ever is going to watch her while you are at the hospital, bring her in to see you. Have the nurse take the baby out of the room, before they arrive. Explain to while the baby is out of the room, that the baby is no longer in mommy's tummy. If you have a C-Section, show her your "owey". If not, then show her your tummy and how it is different. Explain that the baby is now a part of the family. Have the nurse (or who is watching your daughter) bring the baby back in. Let her see the baby, give him/her kisses and hugs, and let her hold the new baby, explaining to her that she has to be careful and that she can't hold the baby without you helping her. When you get home, have her get the diapers for you when the baby needs to be changed, and little things that will make her feel important. Praise her for her good work.

Good Luck! I hope this helps!

She doesn't seem like she's going to have a problem with him. I would have her help you out with him as much as possible ie retrieving diapers, handing you stuff when caring for him. Give her a sense of responsibilty by referring to him a lot as "your baby brother". Help her to "hold" him. Praise her when she specifically does something nice for him. Give her ways to do things for him like make a finger painting especially for him to hang on the wall or put on the fridge. Try not to be too over protective of him from her, but keep a close eye on her with him. My mom told me that I once tried to pick up my baby brother by his neck! I was trying to hold him.

I read about this before my 2nd son was born. First, I brought pictures of my older son to the hospital with me, and made sure he knew they were there. It's supposed to let the older sibling know that they are important, too, that even the hospital room isn't just about the baby. I put those pictures in the baby's room when we came home. And when we came home, I had a big present for my older son from his new brother. It was a game that he and I could play together when the baby was sleeping. I also made sure that our bedtime routine was not disrupted by the baby. Even if the little one was crying in his crib for a few minutes, my older son got 100% of my attention at bedtime. My husband was also very good about spending 'special time' with our oldest without interruption. My son adjusted very well. It's just now that the baby is 2 1/2 and old enough to get into his stuff that he's not so happy with him.

Good luck with your Halloween baby. Halloween is very big in our family. My husband and I will be married 10 years on 10/31, and my nephew will be 5 years old that day!

Just think positive! If you are telling her about the baby, showing her his room, or crib, or the new things you've bought. Take her to pick out something for him. I had my second when my daughter was 19 months, as soon as she came to the hospital to see her sister, she was in love already. Of course now at 2 and 3 they fight like girls, but just think positive, be positive, it will all work out!

Congratulations L.! It sounds like you have received wonderful advice from many experienced mamasource mothers.

I would also consider reading your daughter some books on the subject. Here are a list of them to consider on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_gw?url=search-alias%3Da....

Children identify (even at 18 months) with other children ALOT, especially those in a similar situation. I have also noticed children (and adults) understand a situation better when they hear it through someone else's story (even if it is make believe). I found books about a new baby or being an older sibling helpful to my older one when the new one came along. He seemed to find some peace with those days when being the older sibling wasn't so easy by reading about others who felt the same and listening to how they dealt with it.

Good luck and again congratulations! L.

My daughters are farther apart than yours, but I was concerned, and a friend of mine, whose kids are closer (like yours will be) gave me this advice... about a week or so before the birth of your new little angel, give her her very own baby. Get her a realistic baby.. there are sooooo many to choose from these days, complete with blankets, baby rattles, etc... and show her how to hold the baby (I know she's young, but she'll love having her very own baby, even if she can't verbalize it! Good luck!

Congratulations on your coming baby! Most hospitals offer a sibling class - i don't know the age ranges. We used one for our 3 year old and it really helped him understand, not just pretend. It was great because they explained how I would be away and come back, what would happen and that we'd both be safe. They also teach you how to create a "little helper", Good luck!

Hi L.,

Check out the hospital you are going to deliver at. They may have a BIG SISTER class. I signed my daughter up for it about 2 months before her sister was born. It really helped her to understand but she was a lot old than your daughter (she was 8) I hope this helps.

T. :)