Prepping Toddler for New Baby

I'm a big Sister
and Baby on the Way are two books my daughter has really enjoyed. She was 2.5 when we started reading these and will be 3 when baby comes. Baby on the Way is a little more detailed, but I just skip over some of the explanations. Also, have taken daughter to appts with me.

My daughter is closer to 3 but I just had a baby and to get my daughter ready i constantly talked about how she would be a big sister. I took her to some of my doctors apts and tried to let her feel the baby kick. I involved her in getting the babies room ready and had her help me pick out the outfit the baby would come home in. Now that the baby is here she tells everyone she is her big sister and it's "her" baby. She always talks about how she loves her baby sister. Involve your daughter in everything possible and make sure she knows that she is an important helper! Hopefully she will love being a big sister like my daughter:)

My son was 2 1/2 when my daughter was born. We told him that the baby was bringing him 2 thomas trains that he'd wanted for a long time. It was so cute, he really thought that the trains were inside my belly with the baby. When he came to the hospital to meet her for the first time, we had her wheeled in from the nursery, with the 2 trains wrapped and sitting in her bassinet. He was so excited that he didn't even see her at first, just the present! It was a really great first association. For months and months after she was born when she was sitting in her bouncy seat or lying on her tummy on the floor he'd take one of his trains and sit it next to her to have for awhile. Congrats on the baby!

My Daughter was 3, when I was pregnant with my 2nd child.

ALL during my 2nd pregnancy, I "Prepped" my daughter about it... about my being pregnant and the 'phases' I will go through. ie: my tummy will grow, I will get tired, I will have a hard time moving around, I will not be able to carry her when my tummy is huge etc.
I explained... about her baby brother in my tummy. That he is her baby brother, family, a sibling. We took photos all the time, of her and my tummy, she sang to him, talked to my tummy etc. She had already "bonded" with him, even while he was in my tummy. So that, by the time he came home from the hospital, she was ALREADY adapted, to her baby brother. And she adjusted very, well.

I also, explained to her, about what a baby is: that it cries, that it will wake, the Mommy nurses him etc. But it is Mommy's job. Not her's nor does she have to worry.

I made 'my' pregnancy, about PREPPING her. That whole 9 months.
It helps a great deal.

I also explained that I know she is a child herself and that, she just be herself. She does not have to act all grown-up. Just because she is the oldest. She can tell me anything she wants. I am THERE for her. To always tell me her feelings. That her things are HER things... I don't force her to share it. That I know, her things are special. SHE can decide, if/when she wants to share. That is an important thing for a young child. They need to know... that their things and 'their' routines...are theirs.

Just explain things to your child.
So they know what to expect.

my daughter was 2 and 1/2 when we had our second daughter. its kinda hard for them to understand when they are that young. but i just talked to her about it and one fun thing we did was, when i was about 7 months pregnant we went ahead and put the new carseat in our vehicle and gave her a babydoll and everywhere we went we would put that baby in the carseat and kinda talk with her about how we were getting ready to have a little sister that would be in there.... she really enjoyed it......

A lifelike baby doll that you can show her what babies are like and going thru photos of her as a baby - babies are fragile and need much gentleness and care etc. - along with reassurances that she will be loved/just as important etc. Plans of things you can do with her (special stories etc.) while baby nurses or is sleeping. Special present for her when your return with baby. Have hubby bring baby in the door, not you. You greet her and fuss over her and play down how excited you are to have the baby now. Let her feel some ownership for the baby even tho of course you'll be closely supervising in case she acts out her jealousy. You'll all get thru this. Never leave the baby alone with her until they're older. Kids do crazy things! My nephew taped his baby bro's mouth and nose shut so he wouldn't cry! They're very close now. Scary!

We read books to prepare my daughter for the new baby. She was 2 1/2 when her brother was born.

Our favorite book from the library was "I'm a Big Sister Now" by Johanna Cole. She got a copy of it from her brother the day he was born with the inscription: "I'm so lucky to have you as my big sister. Love, your little brother." She quoted the book regularly for the first 6 months of his life...."no mom, he's too little for pizza, and apples, and ice cream."

We got her a kid's size Moby Wrap as a gift from us when he was born. She carried her baby doll, the same way I carried her brother for the first few months. She really seemed to enjoy the mimicking.

We prepared her on what to expect...Pappa will come to visit and will stay with you when Mommy and Daddy have to go to the hospital. He can bring you to visit us in the hospital and see the baby.

From day one, we let her hold him on her lap with assistance/close supervision when she asked. She would kiss his head, and hands, and talk to him. It was very sweet, and now, almost 2 years later they continue to adore each other. Now they sit on a bed or in the recliner together and she "reads" him books. She doesn't call him "my baby" as often, but it still slips out once in awhile.

Our daughters are the same age difference. I told her the same thing, she would pat my belly and lay her head on it. She LOVED to hear the heartbeat and see the US at the doctor's office, it made it more real to her. Feeling the baby move was fan too.

We got a great book about being a big sister (http://www.amazon.com/Im-Big-Sister-Ronne-Randall/dp/1405...) and she loved to read it.

Have her go through her baby toys and find ones she wants to give the baby, she can wrap them in wrapping paper, and then help you open them at the shower or once the baby arrives.

Anything that has to do with the baby coming, try to include her in it, so its the whole family preparing for the baby and not just the parents.

Best wishes!