Preparing LO for a new baby

futuremrscrocco · November 2010

For those that already have a child(ren) what are you or will be doing to prepare them for a new baby?

Even though my ds doesn't understand too much when I try to tell I'm already pointing out that his baby brother or sister is inside mommy, and that he can't bounce on my belly anymore because soon it will be too big. When we see other little babies we tell him there will be one in the house soon and he has to be quiet and gentle. Stuff like that.

due711 · November 2010

Honestly I haven't done anything yet. Maybe I should be, but I think I'm going to wait to start explaining things to him until we've told our parents.

amys715 · November 2010

I've been thinking about getting DS a babydoll. They play with dolls at daycare but we don't have one at home. I'll probably show him how to hold, feed, touch gently, etc.

He usually points out babies in books and he is around little ones at day care too. Once I start to show I will probably point or pat my belly and say baby.

katie4253 · November 2010

I'm not a mom, but honestly, I think it is a little early. Developmentally a child his age won't be able to understand something that abstract. Once your stomach is big and he can feel the baby moving he'll begin to understand.

I'd just involve him in getting things ready for the baby, which again, it is just too early imo. So when you start to do things with the nursery he can help.

The more concrete the better.

Mrs.Leah.Maria · November 2010

We've been doing the same with DS. He's absolutely enamored with babies and loves to be near my friend's LO's. We've been working on a baby in mama's belly and it's the sweetest thing when he comes up to me to put his hand on my stomach and say baby!

Additionally we've been working on brother and big brother, in conjunction with baby. I'll say soon we'll have a baby in the house and you'll be a brother. I'll ask him if he wants a baby and he says "Yeah."

I think the baby doll is a great option as well! I have a friend who's been going that route and her DS has really responded well. Especially with learning to be gentle.

scooby727 · November 2010

It's a little too early now. Younger kids don't really have a sense of time and waiting 7 or 8 months to meet the baby is a lifetime to them. Even with DD who is 8 we are waiting to tell her until I'm further along.

As for preparing the little one-books about being a big brother, most hospitals offer sibling classes as well. As you start to buy clothes and put nursery together let him help pick some things out too and help put them away or decorate, let him pick out a special present for the LO. As the due date gets closer definitely get the doll and show him how you will be dressing the baby and changing the diaper and feeding and carrying the baby. Even when you're doing that show him how mommy will have the baby and can't always get everything for him right away because you might be feeding or something-just to prepare him.

snickergirl · November 2010

Nothing yet.

Well, I did ask him if he wanted a baby when we were watching Toy Story 3 a few nights ago (he loves the baby in it) and he looked at me and said "Nope!". I cracked up

mbernard1014 · November 2010

So far we bought a book on how things around us will be changing now that mommy has a baby in her belly. it's a cute book. I also show him babies on tv and tell him we will have one of them soon. not sure if he gets it or not but every now and then he will ask me if the baby is still in my belly and when i say yes, he says it's a brother. lol.. i plan on getting more books about coming a big brother and just keep talking to him about all the changes that are happening.

JNS023 · November 2010

I decided to just wait several months. DS Just turned one, he can't even talk yet, although I know he comprehends A LOT, I just think it's too soon. In a few months he'll be able to communicate better and we can work on it then. I just hope he's not the jealous big brother!

snickergirl · November 2010

KateB1984:
My boys are 2 yrs and 4 months apart. I have a video of Owen at 23 months saying there's a baby in my tummy and we should name him "Pie" (Owen's favourite food). Your son will understand very soon.

I found parenting magazines very helpful. They're full of pictures of breastfeeding babies, crying babies, babies laying around in diapers, sleeping and swaddled babies, etc. We talked about how the baby will drink a lot of milk from mummy, sleep a lot and cry a lot, but as it gets bigger, it will be fun to play with. We cut out the magazine pictures and glued them into collages and decorated them as art for Owen to keep and look at.

I really liked Franklin and the Baby for a book, as well as the Little Critter series book, The New Baby. Franklin's friend Bear and Little Critter are both disappointed when the baby doesn't do anything fun when it's born. I think it's out of print, but A Little Sister for Herry is a good Sesame Street big brother book too.

Also, seriously don't stress the quiet thing too much. Caleb adjusted quickly to the sounds of his brother, and Owen sleeps through Caleb crying. It's amazing how they can tune each other out if you let them. Good luck!

Definitely. I was worried about that with our dogs because they are LOUD! Apparently B got used to it when he was in my belly because he slept right through their big barking fits!

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