Tell me about an 18 month old with a new baby

monlyn9

DS and the new baby will be 18 months apart. What should I do to get him ready for the new baby (they will share a room but the baby will not sleep in that room at night for the first couple of months)? Also, what should I expect behavior/interest/jealousy wise when the new baby comes. I have no clue what level of awareness DS will have at that age. TIA.

kate081206

DS had no idea what was going on.  My two are 18 months apart.

sunnyday16

Love the Cubs stuff and happy birthday to your LO! Mine will be 18  months apart too. My brother and I are also 18 months apart and my mom said I was very helpful when my brother was born, bringing her diapers and bottles. My friend brought her 1 month baby over last weekend and Cora was so cute. She just kept looking at the baby and giving her kisses so I hope that's how things will be when the baby gets here.

CaitlinJ22

mine are 18 mo apart and DS had a rough 2 wks seeing me nursing and holding DD. He tried and actually hit her once. But we have my mom around and DH to occupy him. After 2 wks he was kissing her on his own, and asking where she was. 

mlf625

We had a super easy transition - DS was just under 17 months and didn't show any jealousy or stress when we had DD.  I think it was great timing because now (at 23 months) he's a little more possessive of his parents, his toys, his space, etc., so I'm glad we had DD when he was still a little more oblivious!

EMWindy

Mine were 21 months apart, but honestly, LO1 was pretty oblivious.  She noticed the baby and would talk about the baby when he cried, but otherwise, she just ignored him and did her own thing.    I was expecting jealousy and possessiveness, but did not experience that.

I do think it depends on the personality of the older one, but a lot of people I've talked to IRL have had similar experiences to me.

As far as nighttime goes, I would get LO1 a sound machine to drown out the crying a little, but otherwise just let them get used to the noise.   They will get used to it, might take a couple days.

 

kfriscia

19 months apart and he could have honestly cared less.  He barely acknowledged his existence and pretty much went about his life as normal.  Once in awhile he would look at him and say baby but that was pretty much it.