Ideas for Fun Stuff to Do for My First Child When My Second Is Born

Congratulations! I will be in a similar situation soon so I was asking my mom what she did. She said she put together a scavenger hunt for me while she was in the hospital. Each day I got to hunt for a special gift that she had hidden in advance in the clothes dryer, a cabinet etc. I know one of the gifts was a doll. Good luck!

We haven't gone through this yet, but are preparing as well. My boys are 3 and 4 right now and their little sister will be arriving at the end of Feb/beginning of March.

So far they have been to all of the dr appointments. They've gotten to hear and see the baby whenever I have. They were the first to know it was a girl.

A lot of what has already been said I agree with, and will be doing with the boys. One other thing I am doing is making Big Brother Books for them. I went to the teacher store (Chalkboard or Let's Learn) and got two young authors blank books for 2.75 each. I am putting things like what their reaction was when we told them. Cute things they've said. We're going to have them draw a picture of the baby. I'm going to put their hand prints and footprints (depending on if their feet fit on the page) next to the new baby's. When the baby comes we'll put the pictures of them holding their sister in the book and their reactions that way they can look at the book and show any visitors we might have what a great big brother they are.

Congrads on your second child! My daughter was alittle bit older then yours but what I did was include her in everything. When a small baby shower was thrown for me I made sure she was apart of it, and gave her a gift as well. I bought a book about big sisters and how they can help out with the new baby. She seemed to like that. She was 5 when my son was born. She helped me pick out things for the babys room. I just included her in everything. Good luck to you.

i just went thru this in sept, my oldest was also 3 and i did not know the sex of the baby. anyway what i did was first bought a big sister t-shirt and a special present from the baby(we got the fisher price digital camera for kids) she loves taking pictures, and the dora big sister dvd. i had also requested to my family who was watching my daughter that when the baby was born my husband would come out and tell everybody about the baby and take my oldest in to have alone time with us as a family of 4. that way she got to see mommy and daddy and meet the baby before everyone else. the hospital also let her help clean the baby up and dress and diaper her, then she got to hold her and open her presents from her baby sister,it really seemed to help her adjust. she had a hard time leaving that night, but my husband walked her out of the hospital to gammas car, and she felt better.
i hope some of this helps, it is a hard situtation to adjust to, we still are, if you have any questions feel free to email me ____@____.com
S.

When my friend had her son, we bought a blank picture album (the puffy kind, designed for babies, at Target or Babies R Us) for his 3-year-old big sister. We told her since she's the big sister, it was her job to teach the baby all about their family. She seemed to enjoy the challenge, and the new responsibility. She and her parents filled the photo album with special photos of each family member, and big sis "read" to her little brother. It allowed for some productive, quality time with mom & dad that didn't require a lot of energy, esp. right after coming home!

Hopefully you have already started preparing your first child by including her in decisions, nursery prep/painting, talking about your growing belly. I would get her a new toy or specially stuffed animal "from the baby". Getting her a large bear and a matching small bear for the baby would be cool. Have her pick out something special to give her new sibling.
Make sure you don't put off her needs for the baby's. Having a sling or pouch carrier for the baby can really help keep the baby close while attending to everything your daughter needs.
Expect setbacks in anything she's recently learned - potting training can be affected, bed times and naps can be as well.
Make sure you include her in taking care of the baby. Let her hold the baby (in a safe place like on the couch next to you or on the floor). Let her touch and explore the baby, she really can't hurt it unless she's tossing it around. Let her help with baths and diaper changes (she can help use a wash cloth or bring you diapers and wipes). If you are breastfeeding, let her watch, if you are bottle feeding, let her help. Give her a snack each time the baby eats so she is included - even if it's just a grahm cracker or something else small.
Relax and Good Luck!!

When my daughter was born, my mom gave my son a doll. This was his baby to help take care of. (he was 16 months when she was born.) We also let him hold her while we were still in the hospital. He had the "I'm the big brother" shirts, but he was so young it didn't phase him. When my second son was born, my mom took them out and let them each pick out a baby toy for him. (He was 3 and she was 2.) Even though it was just a teething toy and he couldn't play with it yet, they really enjoyed being able to give him something. There will be plenty of people who want to hold the new baby. This will give you time to hold your first child.
You might even talk with her on how she can help you with the new baby. Simple things like getting you a clean diaper or picking out which shirt he/she will wear will help her feel involved.
Hope this helps and good luck!

Hello,
When I had my second child I included my daughter in as much as I could. The one thing that I did do was let her go with daddy after her sister was born and pick out her bring home outfit. We also took paper and crayons and let her draw two pictures that we put in picture frames and hung in her little sister's room. We also made sure we got a I am big sister shirt that she wore. We also got big sister/little sister dolls from a company called lillian & Veron they were the exact same doll one was bigger then the other and had there name emboried on them. We let her give her sister her doll after she was born. Last but not least we allowed our daughter to give the third kiss to her sister before any grandparent aunts or uncles. Hope this helps a little. Good luck and Congrats!!

Hi M.!
Congratulations on your pregnancy. You have gotten some great answers! I became a mom of two about 14 months ago. I agree with what a lot of people have said, but I would add that the including goes on after the hospital. Involving the older sibling in baby care. Also, having special time with the older child. Using a sling or a wrap is very helpful because you can wear your baby and still do fun things with your child like going to the museum or park and your hands are free. Another thing that is helpful is making sure you are well supported with family, friends, or a doula for before or after the birth that way you are better able to meet the demands of mom of two! I wish you the best! S.

We had a present at the hospital for my daughter that was "from the baby." Also if you are nursing it is good to set up your nursing area with things for your older child like books or a doll she can "nurse" while you feed the baby. Having her at the birth is also an option i fyou feel that strongly, just make sure you have a caregiver dedicated solely to her needs and able to take her out of the room if need be. Congratulations on your upcoming surprise.

Hi! I don't have two children myself, but my brother does. When their second child was born I bought my niece an "I'm the big sister" t-shirt. They said that saved the day. She wanted to wear everytime they went to the hospital and when people came over. They said they had to hide it from her to wash it.

My daughter is 7 and I let her pick out a big sister shirt on cafepress.com

Also, I have heard that it is best to let the child see you after the birth NOT holding the baby- snuggle with the older child first (or greet them) and then introduce them to the baby so they don't feel "replaced."

Congrats!
M.

Hi M....I am responding to you because I had my second child when my first child was 3 also! I mulled over the idea of taking my older daughter to see the birth and after I had reached my 8th month I soon decided that that wouldn't be a good idea :) I did however have my husband sleep over with her at home while I stayed the night with the baby. He got her dressed up in the fanciest dress she owned and fixed her hair really pretty. He presented to her this "big" meeting of "her" new baby! I have her first reaction to her new baby on video and OMGoodness it was precious! So basically we told her that Abby (the new baby) was "her" baby and she felt big and proud! I also have to say that I had only 2 episodes of a jealously type thing. Other than those it was smooth sailing because she felt like the biggest, proudest sister and "new owner" of a brand new baby! :)

I hope this helps...I tend to talk a lot :)
J.

We went through this 19 months ago and I agree that you should not be holding the baby when your older child comes to see you for the first time. I had the baby in the bassinet, and when Brian came in I made sure he felt special by showering him with love. Then, my dad was looking at the baby and called Brian over and showed him the baby. Then, my mom helped Brian sit in the chair and she brought the baby over for him to hold. He loved it! Then, we all sang "Happy Birthday" to the baby and had a cookie cake with candles which our older son blew out. Then, we had the baby give a gift to his older brother. So, his older brother played with his gift while we all visited. At home, I tried to spend as much time with Brian as I could, even if it meant mommy was holding the baby too. I also tried to have a night or two a week where I would spend one on one time with him. Slowly, that dwindled down to one night every other week. It is important for them to know that they are still special. But, I also reminded my older son (before and after the baby was born) that when he was a baby, I held him a lot and showed him pictures of me doing so. I tried to let my older son help as much as he wanted with the baby, without pushing it or forcing it. To this day, my two sons are best friends.

When we had a baby last year, my older son was 3 (we didn't know the baby's gender either!!).

He actually waited in the waiting room with my parents and he was the first one to come in and see his new baby brother. He stayed with my parents while I was in the hospital.

Once we were home, we had a gift that was from the baby for him (it was a big chalkoard in his room, so we couldn't give it to him in the hospital). We also made sure that when people came to visit, they acknowledged my older son first. And as much as you can't ask people to bring gifts for the older child, lots of people did. I never really understood that, but now that I have 2 children, I do.

Some people also suggested to give your daughter a baby doll and she can "care for" her baby as you are caring for the new baby. This worked well when my niece became a big sister.

Be sure to give your daughter some "mommy time" and "daddy time" after the baby arrives. Its hard not to get frustrated, but if she ats out, its more about wanting attention.

The best is yet to come! Congratulations!
B.