I agree about the books. I would pick one or two up if you don't have any yet and read those to her. I don't know if it made a difference with my DD but it made me feel like she understood a little bit.
@Jackiemxoxo@molosmiles my DD is 2.5 and we’ve been prepping her for baby brother for awhile, she seems excited but really has no idea what’s coming. She really likes Daniel Tiger and loves the episodes with Baby Margaret. I think watching those episodes (season 5!) has helped her understand. She says things like, “I’m a big helper in my family!”...hoping that will translate to “helping” with our new baby.
@sweetyjenj I got DS a Daniel Tiger big brother book, and every time after we read it, he takes his stuffed bear and reads it story, rocks it, and puts it in the crib.. so he’s getting something out of it.
The the other day, I told DS that the baby was kicking me. He got this concerned look on his face and said, “Baby brother kick you? I kick him!” and tried to kick my belly. So the wresting starts early
Married: May 2012 DS1: May 2016 DS2: Jan 2019 Baby #3 EDD: 6/18/24
I don’t know how much DD understands. She tends to know more than I think she does. A lot of times I’ll think she doesn’t get something and then later she’ll spontaneously start talking about it. I’m a little worried that she will resent the baby from taking me away from her, especially if we have a lot of NICU time. We’ve made sure not to say that I’m here because of the baby but I’m not sure she won’t figure out that it’s related.
@saltedcaramel518 that's so funny! When I ask DD where mommy's baby is she'll point to my belly (and lift up my shirt to see my belly, which I have to catch quick if I ask her in front of others lol) and will say "come out", but I don't think she really understands what it means. I think it's more modeling behavior. She might kind of get that there's a baby in there, since we tell her that, but she can't understand what that means for when baby does come out. DD is only 20 months, though.
There's a lot of great social stories out there to prepare young siblings, though if they're too young they might not totally relate the book/story to the real fact that baby is in your belly and on the way. I have this book, I got it on Amazon, and DD loves it. I really don't think she understands yet, but my point with it is so that when baby does come she'll be like "oh yeah, I remember this from my book!" Who knows how much our LO's are soaking up, even if they can't demonstrate comprehension yet. @Jackiemxoxo@molosmiles
My almost two year old gets mad and throws this book when I try to read it to her...
Me: 30 DH: 32 ~~ TTC #1: Sep 2015 ~~ BFP: Mar 2016 ~~ Daughter: Nov 2016 TTC #2: April 2018 ~~ BFP: May 2018 ~~ EDD: January 2019
haha @MrsDho11 an anecdote to that -- my sister just had baby #3 and her 2.5 year old did not take it well at first -- he tried to throw the baby! But baby is 4wks old now and the 2.5 has been calling it "his baby" So hopefully eventually yours adjusts -- just be ready to catch the baby!
haha @MrsDho11 an anecdote to that -- my sister just had baby #3 and her 2.5 year old did not take it well at first -- he tried to throw the baby! But baby is 4wks old now and the 2.5 has been calling it "his baby" So hopefully eventually yours adjusts -- just be ready to catch the baby!
A new fear to keep me up at night! I kid. My nephew definitely tried to flip my niece’s rock n play a few times when she was born. I know not to trust DD when baby brother comes home for sure! Even my friend who recently had a baby and whose daughter loves him has issues with her daughter trying to pick the newborn up because she loves him so much!
I also got a doll, but attempts to demonstrate being careful and nice to the baby with that end in throwing as well.
I suspect she gets it on some level and doesn’t approve, but she should get over it eventually. And I’m just trying not to let the failed attempts stress me in the meantime because there’s not a ton I can do about it!
Me: 30 DH: 32 ~~ TTC #1: Sep 2015 ~~ BFP: Mar 2016 ~~ Daughter: Nov 2016 TTC #2: April 2018 ~~ BFP: May 2018 ~~ EDD: January 2019
@MrsDho11 sounds like you’re doing all the right things to prepare her- practice with a doll, books (we love the Daniel Tiger big brother book, and I am a Big Brother by Caroline Jayne Church), talk about baby, maybe watch the Daniel Tiger episodes with Baby Margaret... We also took the big brothers shopping to let them pick out a special new outfit or toy for their baby brother, which got them excited. Do what you can now, make sure you are giving big sister plenty of her own special attention, and just remember they will eventually have a super special bond and probably won’t even remember the current disapproval!
After posting this morning when we were getting ready to go out, DD did see the toy pacifier that came with the doll, say, “baby paci!” And then she gave the doll the paci. Do maybe not completely hopeless?
Me: 30 DH: 32 ~~ TTC #1: Sep 2015 ~~ BFP: Mar 2016 ~~ Daughter: Nov 2016 TTC #2: April 2018 ~~ BFP: May 2018 ~~ EDD: January 2019
Hey STMs, I have a question for you guys- when did your first baby drop and how long after that did you go into labor? I swear this baby dropped over night, and its making me a little nervous. DD dropped at 35 weeks and wasn't born until 39 weeks. I know baby dropping doesn't mean a whole lot in the grand scheme of labor signs, I'm just curious how it went for others... Thanks!
@jandd2014 my first did not drop until I was in labor, actually. My OB’s exact words were “sky high and not even a fingertip dilated” and then the next morning I woke up in full-blown labor. My bestie walked around with a baby so low that they couldn’t even see her whole head on ultrasound anymore, but she stayed put right there for a whole month+ and delivered at 39 weeks.
I have no idea how I lost track of this thread. 3’s can be very difficult. The 2’s seemed like a vacation but the 3’s have been challenging. DS is a great kid but he’s SO busy and curious about everything. He’s also old enough to form his own ideas and opinions. On the flip side, I love watching him play and use his imagination. He comes up with awesome and hilarious things.
I didn’t really drop with DS until I went into labor. I’m carrying DS#2 the same way so we’ll see what happens.
Re: October STM check-in
I lost my angels 07/2010, 04/2017, 10/2017
Meimsx no more
The the other day, I told DS that the baby was kicking me. He got this concerned look on his face and said, “Baby brother kick you? I kick him!” and tried to kick my belly. So the wresting starts early
DS1: May 2016
DS2: Jan 2019
Baby #3 EDD: 6/18/24
@saltedcaramel518 that's so funny! When I ask DD where mommy's baby is she'll point to my belly (and lift up my shirt to see my belly, which I have to catch quick if I ask her in front of others lol) and will say "come out", but I don't think she really understands what it means. I think it's more modeling behavior. She might kind of get that there's a baby in there, since we tell her that, but she can't understand what that means for when baby does come out. DD is only 20 months, though.
Married: 8/11/2007
DD: Born 2/3/17
BFP#2: 5/3, EDD 1/10/19
TTC #2: April 2018 ~~ BFP: May 2018 ~~ EDD: January 2019
Andrea -- FTM at 39!
I also got a doll, but attempts to demonstrate being careful and nice to the baby with that end in throwing as well.
I suspect she gets it on some level and doesn’t approve, but she should get over it eventually. And I’m just trying not to let the failed attempts stress me in the meantime because there’s not a ton I can do about it!
TTC #2: April 2018 ~~ BFP: May 2018 ~~ EDD: January 2019
TTC #2: April 2018 ~~ BFP: May 2018 ~~ EDD: January 2019
DD- 11/2016
I didn’t really drop with DS until I went into labor. I’m carrying DS#2 the same way so we’ll see what happens.