how did all you momma's deal with bringing home newborn to a 22 month old?

danziksmommy

my son is the center of my world. he is going to be a big brother next month. I would like some idea's on how to make the transition easier on him with out making him jealous. any suggestions would be wonderful.

Dannylion24

You can bring home a gift 'from the baby' for him to get him excited ... And maybe have him practice gentle baby care on a small doll?

Good luck!

winterbabe2015

My son was 22 months when we brought DD home. I had given him a doll when I was about 6 months pregnant. He actually slid right into the big brother role, even for a young age. I gave him small jobs to make him feel included (get the diaper, wipes, help pick clothes, etc). To this day they are inseparable at 5 & 7 yrs old :-)

mamabisme

When my second DD was born my first was 19 months old. I was so worried but it was really a non-issue. DH brought DD1 to the hospital for a quick visit the day after DD2 was born. Then, the next day we just came home with the baby. There was no big to-do. It just was. She was fine and life went on (mostly) as usual.

t8keepr03

I will have an 18 month old when this little one comes. We have a baby doll and we role play. She is really clueless though and just drags the doll around by its foot. We talk about her little baby brother or sister but again I don't think she understands. She knows something is up with my belly though because she likes to lay her head on it. She will pull her shirt up and pull mine up and pat her belly and my belly. It's so sweet. We aren't going to make it a huge deal when the baby comes. She will spend a couple days with Grandma and Grandpa and not go to daycare. They will bring her to the hospital while we are there and we will come home. I'm going to just go with it based on what DD1 does. When the baby is napping I will make sure DD1 and I spend time alone playing. I will ask her to get things like diapers and wipes, etc. I don't think there is really anything else to do to prepare an 18 month old.

WanderingA

My daughter will be 19 months when this LO arrives and i think all your concerns are normal!

She is, however, obsessed with babies and we have been practicing with her baby dolls how to be gentle, change heir diaper, and teaching her "what do babies say...WAHHHH" to get her used to crying. She will say her version of her brothers name and lift my shirt and kiss my belly so she has made some connection between the belly and the baby, but I don't know how much she "gets it".

As far as the transition goes, I'm just hoping for the best and trying to plan ways to keep her occupied while I attend to him. I will get her involved whenever possible by asking for help with him (get me a diaper, kiss the baby, give him a paci) so she feels involved. I'll also make it a point to still do one-on-one playtime with her since newborns don't require quite as much interaction as toddlers!

MrsTucker2011

My DS1 will be around 16mo when we bring home DS2. I know it will all work out, but I can't help but worry/stress about the transition. We'll probably approach it like @mamabisme‌

CoachAP

My son will be 21.5 months and I feel like he is clueless about what a baby even is and that there is one in my tummy no matter how much we tell him, so we haven't done anything to really prepare him. He'll see something is different,  but i've been told since he's so young he won't really remember a time without #2 being around so after the first few weeks hopefully he'll get used to him/her (team green)

mishka29

Ugh DD will be 2 when baby sister gets here. Right now everything is 'mine' including 'my mommy', 'my daddy'. I've got a jealous little monkey on my hands so I'm expecting a rough transition but a transition none the less.

She's going to buy baby a gift, baby's getting her a gift, she has a baby doll and my mil made her this diaper bag with wipes and diapers to use on her baby doll.

We went for a 3d ultrasound and I feel like that really helped her connect the dots about my belly. She picks up the DVD remote and says baby, baby, baby. Lol

srcr2011

Who are all the newbies?? I don't recognize many of the screen names...

eschnee

To survive my husband took over care of 2 year old mostly and I took care of baby..especially because breast feeding. Even after paternity leave he would come home and go right to the 2 year old. They are now 4 and 6 and to this day the younger one and me have a stronger bond and my husband with the older one. I still put younger to bed bath and all and he does the older one. I don't recommend this. Thus favoritism bothers me often. It was convient but I wish it didn't happen. Our third is due soon and not sure this time around what will happen. Our family is divided and will probably remain so...I'll probably care for 4 year old and baby and my husband just the oldest.