Oldest will be 17mo- do they even notice

milesc

My DD will have just turned 17mo when LO#2 arrives.

-Will she even notice the baby? Toddlers seem to be so into keeping busy, playing, and eating... as long as this doesn't change, will she even care about a mushy little newborn?

 

memali26

DD1 was about 2 week shy of 19 months when her sister was born. She definitely noticed and absolutely adored her from day one. She was fascinated by this new little person and always wanting to help with her. 8 months later they are already best buds

MammaBear81

For the most part mine didn't.  Unless they were directly affecting what they wanted/needed (i.e. I want to be on mommy's lap but someone is in it, or I want my sippy cup and mommy can't get up to get it) it's like the baby didn't exist.  When they reach 2- 2 1/2 they started to point and say "bebe", hugs and kisses, but that's about it.

Irisheyes1247

MammaBear81:

For the most part mine didn't.  Unless they were directly affecting what they wanted/needed (i.e. I want to be on mommy's lap but someone is in it, or I want my sippy cup and mommy can't get up to get it) it's like the baby didn't exist.  When they reach 2- 2 1/2 they started to point and say "bebe", hugs and kisses, but that's about it.

This for us. #1 was about 16 months when #2 came and she barely gave her a second glance. Now within the past week she's just starting to like her - reach for a hug, pet her head, give a kiss. But she also is not a very affectionate kid, so it's kind of huge for her to be doing that! 

drpayne

My LO, who will be 14 mo in a couple of days, met his 7 week old cousin last weekend.  He did NOT like me holding her.  With his bottom lip protruding, he immediately walked over and pulled her hair.   Not gonna lie, this worried me a little.

etude de la vie

Mine were 16 months apart and she knew something was different but didn't "get it" like she would now at 2.5. 

She would give him hugs and kisses from the beginning and still now but it wasn't until he was mobile that she realized how much she had to share mommy and everything that was hers.  

++southerngirl++

Mine are exactly 14 months apart and ds noticed dd for sure!!!  He would just stand and stare at her with this sweet little grin and try to hold her finger. He would also try and lay his head on her! It was really sweet. Now, if I let him 'hold' her, he would freak out a little bit!!  Those were the sweet days! Now that they are 1 and 2 it's a bit different!!!!

zestyfrog7

milesc:

My DD will have just turned 17mo when LO#2 arrives.

-Will she even notice the baby? Toddlers seem to be so into keeping busy, playing, and eating... as long as this doesn't change, will she even care about a mushy little newborn?

 

DD1 and DD2 are 17 months apart and DD1 definitely noticed DD2 from the beginning and showed so much love.  She always wanted to hug her (ie lay on top of her) and kiss her.  She anticipated the baby's needs in ways I never thought she would, like getting a blanket when we would put the baby in the carseat (it was Feb).  She did get a bit jealous when Mommy or Daddy were busy with the baby but was pretty good about it.  We did a lot of "Big Sister Special Time" which was just making a big deal out of normal things, like snack time or computer time and saying how it was special and that only Big Sister could do it. 

Now I watch DD1 and see all the things she has learned when taking care of her baby doll, she shakes the bottle, burps her baby and pats the baby.  Its amazing to see.

When DD2 is crying DD1 will get very concerned and want to pat her back or help soothe her.  She always lets us know if DD2 has spit up in the car or lost a sock or something.

choppinbroccoli22

My daughter is almost 17 mo right now, and I have to say-- she would probably notice a whole lot. She's right with it. I am not really worried about her dealing with it when the time comes, because of her personality. I think she's going to take right to being the big sister. For example, she has all these inventive little games she plays that I think the baby will get a kick out of, and she'll love it. She is gentle and loving with our cats and her dolly. She's a natural.

Arielle27

Ours are 16 months apart. DS definitely noticed the new addition - especially at bed time when mommy read him nighttime books or do other parts of bedtime because of nursing - but it really bother him too much... at first.

 I guess we were lucky in the beginning because DD was such a super sleepy baby. when she finally woke up to the world, however, DS became really jealous and has since been acting out like crazy (he is now 19 months old).

Good luck! 

 

biblionerd

I am really shocked how much ds has been paying attention to her at 13 months. He says "baby" and smiles and babbles to her. When she's in the rnp he stands next to her and rocks it and yesterday he rocked it and shushed her! I almost died of cuteness overload. He drops toys in her lap, has taken his paci and tries to put it in her mouth, tried to give her his bottle, will reach out and barely touch her then pull his hand away and crack up. He gets upset when she cries. For the most part he's shown no negative feelings towards her, he just gets very upset when I can't get to him or have to keep him in his pnp or play area to do something with her. I love seeing them together!

VABride2008

Mine are 16 months apart to the day.  She was curious at first but not really that interested.  The biggest thing for me was making sure to give DD lots of attention. I would nurse DS on the floor while reading or playing with DD and that seemed to help her from acting out.  Now she is a great help and adores her baby brother.