2nd+ moms, introducing a 14 month old to the new baby

Lisa9926

My kids are going to be 14 months apart and I'm not sure if there is anything I can do to prepare my first child.  I asked my pediatrician and they said she isn't going to get it until the new baby is here and there is not much I can do.  Some of my friends suggested maybe having my first pick out stuff for the new baby, but she's too young for that at the moment (she doesn't get it or care).  Any suggestions???

Ivana_Stolichnaya

I think the best thing at 14 months is to just keep up with the attention towards #1.  At 14 months, she will be a little too young to be a mommy's helper so I would just shower your daughter with love and affection and make her feel really included.

 

robsbride!

My DD was 17 months when my DS was born...I would say just keep communication open with them, even when you are BF'ing use that time to speak to your child...you may find they care less than you think...my DD was pretty independent and didn't have any bad feelings towards her brother

J&JSuiter070205

Definately post this on the Two Under Two board as well. My kids are barely 14 months apart. They are now almost 5 and almost 4. I actually found that relationship and jealousy wise it was extremely easy. My son was too little to really know any different so there was little to no jealousy at all. They are SO close now. I'm more concerned about jealousy this time around b/c they are older and understand more.

soveryexcited

Mine are fifteen months apart, and it couldn't have gone better. DD was too young to really understand, but the transition from 1 to 2 was so much easier because of that. We didn't get her anything special (no dolly or anything like that) and she took it in a stride. I'm MUCH more worried this time around due to the fact that DS is going to be 3 and is very cuddly/affectionate and I KNOW he is going to have some issues with the new baby. But going from 1 to 2 with a fifteen month old for us, was a piece of cake.

Lisa9926

I really appreciate the advice ladies!! Thanks so much.  I never even noticed the 2 under 2 board either, so good to know that it's there!

December192009

My two sons are 11 months and 3 weeks apart. Everyone had their opinion on how DH and I needed to handle this. One of the great grandmas suggested that we continue to focus all attention on DS 1 whenever possible and pretty much only tend to DS2 when he needed to be fed or changed because he was "unaware". I tried this for about a week and then lamented over the fact that I could never get that week back with DS2. my in-laws brought DS1 to the hospital to "meet" DS 2 when DS2 was born - he got to watch him have his first bath and everything. All around be prepared for your oldest to be jealous, to not understand, but to also not really pay very much attention to the baby until the baby has been home for a few weeks. They will become closer during baby #2's first year. I don't think there is very much that you can do or say in the mean time to convince your oldest that a baby is on the way just b/c at 14 months they don't understand very much in general. Right now DS1 is 23 months old and he is just barely grasping the concept of having another baby come live with us soon.