I haven't seen a discussion about this and I wanted to see everyone's thoughts. If there is a thread I apologize.
We are packing hospital bags this week, especially since I've already been in preterm labor once. I have most of my bag and baby's bag packed. I am now working on a bag for my 3 1/2 year old son.
****edit****
He will not be staying at he hospital with us and he will not be present for the birth. However he will have to spend some time at the hospital.
Our hospital allows him to stay from 6am to 9 pm with us, and no he will not be staying that long of a stretch it would be too much on him.
So far I have
His camera
DVD player
A couple new small toys
Snacks
What would you add?
Re: Hospital bag for older sibling. *edit
ETA: Seriously, a camera for a 3.5 year old to accompany his mother to the hospital for birth? Is this real?
Ps. Plenty of people have had their children present for the birth of their siblings. It may not be something I would do but people do it.
We've always done "big brother" gifts from the baby that they got when they came to visit at the hospital. This is our fourth and mine are a lot older now so its a small lego box, a snack and a halo guy and my youngest soon to be big brother also got a new Boo stuffed dog. When they were little it was a new coloring book and crayons and a small toy (whatever they were into) and a snack or two. Everything is baby overload and I felt it was important to make the older siblings feel special too.