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Preparing a young toddler for a new sibling
Hi, I have an 18-month old, and IY"H, am due to have my second child in about 10 weeks. I was wondering the best way to prepare such a young child for the changes which are ahead. Here are my main concerns:
1) Preparing for the hospital stay. Our family is not in town, but will come as soon as possible. We have some good friends in town, but my baby really hasn't been away from me for any length of time, and I also don't want to burden them with his care. It's possible my husband will be able to take some time off of work, but it's not a certainty.
2) Adjusting to having a little (needy) baby around. Basically, no longer having mommy's (relatively) undivided attention.
Thanks!!
1) Preparing for the hospital stay. Our family is not in town, but will come as soon as possible. We have some good friends in town, but my baby really hasn't been away from me for any length of time, and I also don't want to burden them with his care. It's possible my husband will be able to take some time off of work, but it's not a certainty.
2) Adjusting to having a little (needy) baby around. Basically, no longer having mommy's (relatively) undivided attention.
Thanks!!
Views: 10
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Moran Sabbah on -
great question Rivki, I hope someone can answer that one, I'm in the same position!
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Permalink Reply by Julie Lehmann Weisman on -
Rivki, I have a 19 month old, and am not expecting, but live in a neighborhood where someone ALWAYS is... here are the tips I have gathered.
Hospital stay- start sending your baby NOW to a morning babysitter/round robin group so he is used to being around other adults and kids for a good chunk of time each day. #2- try to make plans for someone who has at least had a good deal of contact with to watch him while you are away. #3- if you can't leave him with a good friend or babysitter, get a single girl in your community who you trust to move in to your house with him for that day or two while you are in labor and first day in hospital, get daddy to take off work for days 2/3. #3- bring him for a hospital visit when baby is born- start without baby in room, give him lots of attention and then bring him to meet baby. 4- make sure daddy gives him as much attention as possible those days when he does not see you.
dealing with baby at home- again, take him to a group so he sees other kids (who may be younger) go to parks and places where lots of kids are and EVERY time you see a baby, say "Baby...Nice" and make a gentle hand gesture. Somehow my 19 mth old picked this up, even though I didn't teach it to him, and I'm not expecting. He may sometimes be rough with kids his own age, yet he LOVES and is SOOO gentle to babies, Bli Ayin Hara. Buy him a baby dolly and show him how to be nice to it, give kisses, hug, and love it. Lastly, I know it may be hard, but when new baby is sleeping, or laying around quietly- PUT HIM/HER DOWN! you probably held,stared at, played with baby #1 when he was sleeping/hanging out, but its not a necessity. the great thing about newborns is they sleep A LOT! so when you dont need to be giving attention to baby, try to make extra special time for your little guy who still needs to feel like the center of the universe sometimes. -
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Permalink Reply by Jodi on -
You need to talk to your child everyday about what is going to happen and repeat the same phrazes and make it exciting. Your kids will pick up your attitude.
"Wow X is going to be a big brother soon" "You are such a big boy and when mommy goes to have teh baby x will come and play with you and it will be fun"
After the baby comes home makee sure that you calve out some undivided mommy and me time. Also make the 18 month old excited "wow you are so lucky look at your new brother" "Can you help Imma with the baby" "Come cuddle with the baby" "the baby is looking at you the baby loves you so much"
Talk alot to your child and tehy absorb the emotion and vibe -
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