Prepping toddler for new baby

mrsmoose5 · July 2016

Moms of 2 or more — what are some things you did to prep your toddler or other children for the new baby? What are some things you wish you had done?

DS just turned 18 months and I've been working with him on climbing the stairs without me having to carry him up (I'm right there, close behind, of course), holding my hand while walking in public places, and following directions ("Can you please bring me ...? Let's go get in the car now ... Come on, it's time to get dressed," etc.) I'm also working hard on getting the new nursery in order as much as I can right now so he has time to get used to it looking different. I still rock him to sleep for naps and bedtime, which hasn't turned into a sleep crutch and usually only takes about 10 minutes - he sleeps through the night no problem. And he is still very attached to his pacifier. I'm wondering if maybe I should start breaking these habits? I really don't have a problem with them; I actually love rocking him to sleep, it's one of the few times during the day where he is cuddly and quiet and I love it lol, it's just a special time.

Anyway, I just thought maybe others could share what they're doing or have done to prepare their older children. Any advice or tips for those of us who are about to go from 1 to 2 would be nice

TheBorg7of9 · July 2016

DS1 was 22 months when DS2 was born. I personally did not change anything in DS1's routine. He slept in his own crib for more than a year after DS2 was born and I still rocked him to sleep. I didn't do anything to prepare him for the baby, I don't think he would have really understood anyway. Regardless, they are 2.5 and 4.5 now and best buds. I thought it was ok that he was still needing help with stairs and getting dressed and everything because they were really in the same stage. Good luck!

leighry · July 2016

We took pacifiers from #1 and #2 when they were each 13 months since we knew we were expecting. They were only used at night anyway. #3 never took a pacifier so we didn't have to do that this time. No other changes to routine for us.

arcticseal-2 · July 2016

I'm working with my youngest a bit on learning to walk at the grocery store, potty training, and generally talking about being a big girl. We are also building bunk beds so when we're ready (likely after baby is born) we can move the older two into the same room.

atcwag · July 2016

DS will turn 3 in early October. We've been talking about the baby, talking about baby animals and reading a few books. We talk about him being a big brother and a good helper when we bring baby home.

mrsmoose5 · July 2016

TheBorg7of9 That's good to hear since my DS will be 21 months when this LO is born. I'm really happy with where he is now and I am totally ok with our routine and the fact that he's still dependent on me for most things, I just want to make the transition as easy for him as possible

MollySm · July 2016

My first two are 2 years and 4 months apart. This next age gap will be 2 years 5 months. I would definitely move away from needing to rock to sleep. It can be hard to get one to stay quiet while you are rocking the other. I find having them all go down drowsy but awake is easiest with more than one kid.

I don't take away the pacifier. I figure they need any comforting items they have with such a big change. I do buy a different brand for the next baby, so there isn't confusion.

Other than that I just talk about the baby a lot. I'm sure my 2 year old can't really understand, but she tries!

fiscally3 · July 2016

I'd keep as much as you can the same, definitely don't worry about the pacifier, they'll likely have some sort of regression and that's an easier one to deal with.

I also work on teaching my kids to climb in and out of the car seat, since I know I'll have another c-section and can't easily lift.

We did transfer my oldest to a toddler bed at 19m so that #2 would have the crib. It worked out okay, and we're debating on doing it for #3 so baby can use his crib without setting up the other crib again.

clyons2008 · July 2016

Our firstborn will be 4 when his brother arrives. He is super excited and talks to his brother in my tummy all the time. Since he is a little older I think it might be easier, though he isn't out of diapers yet and I hope that happens before baby is here. He is already a super helper, but since I am mostly a sahm, I hope he can learn to share me without too much trouble.

Muscatmommyof4 · July 2016

DS1 and DD1 are almost exactly 22months apart DS1 didn't really understand what was going on but a few months before DD was born I put DS in a big boy bed so DD could use the crib (he was starting to climb out already anyway) and I didn't want him to feel like he got kicked out of his bed so I did before. But other than that I didn't really do anything different and to be honest he didn't care much for her for the first couple of months so I really tried not to disrupt his routine. They were both still in diapers my DS didn't take a pacifier but still used a sippycup similar to a bottle before bed we still babied him because to us he was still a baby also. But when I had DD2 DS1 was 5 and DD1 was 3 so it was really easy to adjust they were super excited and could understand more before she was born plus they were both potty trained and just wanted to help. But to be honest it depends on your child and personally if they are under 2 I wouldn't change much because they are still a baby them self.

punchdrunkthirty · July 2016

Oldest is 11 and has been the only child this long. My struggle right now is convincing her that the world won't actually come to an end when her twin sisters get here! So much drama. I'm pretty sure she will be great with them, she's very good with my nephews. We'll try to make sure we don't rely on her too heavily while still having her involved.

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