Gift for big sibling(s)

araecasey · April 2016

STM+, are you giving a gift to your big(s) when baby arrives? I'm considering buying a felt quiet book or an aqua doodle for DD. Or maybe a child's ring sling for her baby doll. Something fun for her to enjoy in case she gets to the hospital and is less than thrilled about her new baby brother or sister. Plus we could keep that gift stashed as a special toy for when I'm busy nursing baby. What are you doing to ease the transition for your big kid(s)?

NB817 · April 2016

DD is 3.5 yr old so she understands what is going on but yes we are getting her a necklace. Not something expensive just from Claire's but she always says "I wish I had a necklace of my own" whenever she sees me wearing one. Dramatic much??? Lol.

araecasey · April 2016

That's a sweet idea! I think drama comes with the territory, huh? My girl can be a drama llama too, most of the time I think it's charming though.

Bltbear82 · April 2016

We are giving DS a small train track set and some new trains. He's been obsessed with them for months so I thought it would be special for him to open, especially if he's less than pleased he will have something fun to play with while he acclimates to the idea of a little brother.

doozer1345 · April 2016

DD is a little dress up diva so I got her a pageant style sash that says big sister, a big sister bracelet, planning on getting a big sister shirt, and a big sister book. I'm putting it all in a basket and having it at the hospital for her.

mello13 · April 2016

Yes. DS has a Big Brother shirt and a special Big Brother button that DH will put on him before bringing him to the hospital to meet "baby sister". Note: This was all inspired by Daniel Tiger, who recently had a baby sister as well. We look at the special button and read the Daniel Baby Is Coming book often, and talk about what it will be like when he gets there (i.e. Mama in a "special" bed, baby sister in a "bucket", which is what he calls the clear bassinet, etc). When he arrives and meets her we also have a Thomas & Friends book for him from his baby sister. It's magnetic with tracks and such on the different pages, so it's also a toy of sorts for him while he's there.
Additionally, I did just splurge on a water table for him. I am suffering some mom guilt for adding a new baby and turning his little 2.5 year old world upside down shortly (though he is thoroughly excited about it). Plus, I can put the water table on the screened in porch, sit in the rocking chair with DD and DS can splash and play and not feel like he's missing out on "normal" stuff since the baby arrived.

Bltbear82 · April 2016

@mello13 do you know the name of the Thomas book? It sounds like something DS would love!

kbrands7 · April 2016

We have a big brother shirt and Woody stuffed doll to give him at the hospital. I also have a small collection of things to give him little by little over the course of the first couple months when I'm sure the transition will be more difficult (cheap things that he enjoys like new coloring books, bath toys, a few new books). He also got a bag of his own for his birthday to pack big boy stuff in like his hot wheels and big-brother-helper supplies.

thismakes4 · April 2016

With my previous pregnancies I didn't do anything for the kids. But this time around I was thinking of having a little snack bag together so that when I have to breastfeed I can give them all a snack of some sort. DS1 and DS2 understand breastfeeding but DS3 is such a momma's boy it might be a little harder on him. I'll probably put together a little fun bag (bubbles, crayons and paper, book, stickers etc) that way they can each be preoccupied if we need them to be.

Bluejay3030 · April 2016

We're giving DD a Sofia the First figurine set and a Duck & Goose counting book (she is OBSESSED with those books right now for some reason). I already wrapped them and put them in the hospital bag from baby brother.

She'll be bringing a gift that she picked out (which is really just a hand-me-down rattle, haha) when she comes to meet him at the hospital.

I also have a few small things to give her over the course of the first month or two as needed. @thismakes4 I love the idea of putting snacks for the older kid(s) with my BFing snacks! I think I'll do that too.

doozer1345 · April 2016

Just to throw out there as well... DH is taking DD to Build A Bear so she can "build" a stuffed animal for her baby sister to bring to the hospital.

mello13 · April 2016

@Bltbear82 Here is the link for the Thomas book https://www.amazon.com/Thomas-Magnetic-Playbook-Friends/dp/0375814043/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1460593385&sr=8-1&keywords=thomas+magnetic+book

araecasey · April 2016

@doozer1345 I love the Build a Bear idea!! Too sweet!

doozer1345 · April 2016

@araecasey I can't take credit. I heard DH telling DD about doing it the other day. My heart melted.

Bltbear82 · April 2016

Thanks @mello13!

katxattack1212 · April 2016

My hubby and I made a build a bear for our daughter before she was born. Still need to go make one for this little dude. Selection was ehhh last time we went!

Myzticsunshine · April 2016

Thanks for this topic! We have been wanting to do this as well, but aren't actually sure what to have baby brother "give" his big brother lol they actually have matching personalized shirts (well a onsie for the baby) for when they meet (oh yes I will be keeping those forever), but other than that we are still thinking about how their "meet up" will go.

camillaandcarson · April 2016

Our theme was to keep LO busy. Play doh, Mr. Potato head, these twist type play sticks, Melissa and doug sticker book & water wow color spiral color book, I forget what else (already packed in hospital bag) and special snacks. Along with a matching new sibling status outfit.

barbieq101 · April 2016

My DS is 11, so I'm really struggling with what to do for a gift. I feel like, after 11 years as an only child, it should be really special. This might be when I finally get him the cell phone he has been begging for.

lionstigersbears · April 2016

DS is only 1.5 and really unaware of what is going on. He touches my belly sometimes and talks about babies but doesn't seem to have linked the two. He loves the Daniel Tiger book about bringing home baby Margaret, which is what we are naming this LO, so here's hoping that's helping in some way! We are also taking the route of things DS can play with in the hospital as the "gift from baby" to at least try to create an initial positive association! The plan is a book, water wow drawing pads, and tegu blocks which are all things he's really into right now and are hospital play friendly.

Disneygeek77 · April 2016

My DD was older when her sister was born, but we got her a Kitty Surprise. Pretty much you get a stuffed cat in the box and then it has babies when you take them out of the velcroed portion of their stomach. It is a surprise to see how many babies you will get and what the sexes will be.

https://www.toysrus.com/products/puppy-surprise.jsp

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wHZTyo7V0S8

slfezz · April 2016

I plan on letting my girls pick out gifts for the baby and have gifts for them from the baby. I felt it was important for my older kids to have something to welcome the baby with that they picked out.

Last time, DD1 have the baby a small stuffed giraffe and "DD2" got her Sofia dress up stuff. I haven't figured out what to get the older kids yet for this time.

2.red.heads · April 2016

All cute ideas!

My kids are a little older (5 and 8) and I really need to get these gifts finished up (36 wks w/twins)! I'm thinking of things that will keep them busy in the hospital. I know they'll want to be there and are old enough to hang out while the grandparents get their baby fill. So, I got DD at connect the dots work book and DS a draw your own comics book. They both love (ok, obsessed with) legos so I want to get them a small set.

Anyone come across some cute big sister shirts in stores (I'd rather not order online). It also needs to be about a size 6. Hard to find!

@Disneygeek77 - my daughter got a Kitty Surprise for Christmas and LOVES it. Then at my baby shower someone gave her a present and it was a Puppy Surprise (which she has been asking for for months). She's obsessed with them both!

mcb2016 · April 2016

@barbieq101 My son is almost 11 too. He'd love a phone but don't think I'm going to go that route. He did mention wanting a big brother shirt, not easy to find for kids in this age group. Finally had to go to etsy to get one! Would like to think of something else to get him too but I have not come up with anything yet.

mello13 · April 2016

For those with older kids, I've had friends/family give the kid an "experience", rather than a thing. Since the bigger kids obviously know the gift isn't really from the baby, a coupon/ticket/etc seems to work well. It can also work with whatever budget you may have. The basic concept if you give the kid a voucher (or actual tickets, if it's to a concert/sporting event etc) for something to happen within the coming weeks after baby arrives. It could be a simple ice cream date, a movie night, or trip to a water park/amusement park/baseball game/Broadway show/manicure with mom/picnic in the park, you get the idea. This way, the older kid has something to look forward to, especially since the first couple of weeks will be "all about the baby", and it reminds them that you still love to share things with them, and they aren't being overlooked or replaced.

Disneygeek77 · April 2016

My oldest daughter kept asking Santa for a Kitty Surprise for Christmas. Thing was, her sister was to be born in January, so on Christmas morning she was a bit disappointed. I told her that is was ok and maybe she would get her kitty surprise one day. Well she was quite happy when we gave her the gift at the hospital the day the baby was born. Mommy kitty had three kittens, two girls and a boy.

mcb2016 · April 2016

Our family loves the experience idea. We've been planning more experience type outings the past month but I hadn't thought about planning for *after* the baby is born. I will try to come up with something special we can do maybe one on one with him. He will love that.

Kearney1022 · April 2016

We're giving DS (3y/o) a book "I'm a big brother"; a "Big Bro" shirt that's part of a matching set with his "Lil' Bro" and a hat that says "Awesome Brother". The plan is to give him a little gift bag with all of this (and maybe a little candy treat) when he comes to the hospital to see baby brother.

Klittle779 · April 2016

DS is just under 2 so really has no clue what's going on. Still my mom guilt is in overdrive these days thinking of "gone are the days of just you and I". My DH laughs at me. They have no clue. But I bought DS a personalized tote with his name and super big bro monogrammed. He got a playmobile school bus he has been eying and some stickers and a big brother T shirt. I'll throw some goldfish and other snacks in there. I also got a him a gift to give his new sister. Just a little sun hat and dolly. Feel like he'll be getting more spoiled than the new baby

saladflambe · April 2016

When my little brother was born, my mom gave me a pug beanie baby and said it was from him

Mind you, I was 12 years old, haha. Still...it meant a LOT to me, and I remember it well.

DutchLucyLu · April 2016

My nephew was 8 when his little sister was born and my sister and her (now) ex gave him a cheap digital camera he could use to take pictures of the baby. It made him feel super grown-up and he took his 'big brother task' very seriously.

I really like the experience/quality time thing as well.

araecasey · April 2016

Ended up buying this for DD, I absolutely love it. https://www.amazon.com/You-Were-First-Patricia-MacLachlan/dp/0316185337 I wanna get her something else too, you ladies have given me lots of fantastic ideas!!

Want a personalized experience?

Gift for big sibling(s)

Re: Gift for big sibling(s)

Choose Another Board

Search Boards