I am a few short weeks away from my little guy’s due date and we’ve started talking more and more about the new baby with J. I have already introduced him to his new baby doll, and have been reading his baby book with him. Last week, we went to the library to pick out some new books about new babies.
Several of the new baby books were already checked out…I guess there are a lot of babies on their way around here. But, I was able to score 3 really good books that J likes.
1. The New Baby: by Mercer Mayer. J loves the Little Critter books, so I knew I found a keeper when I spotted this one. It’s a great book that talks about the stuff you can do with a little baby.
2. Cornelius P. Mud, Are You Ready for Baby?: Barney Saltzberg, This is a super simple book that is great for lots of ages. It talks a bit about what having a new baby means and touches a bit on the jealousy a child may feel towards the new baby.
3. You’re a Brother, Little Bunny: Maribeth Boelts, This book is really fantastic because it talks about getting ready for the new baby and how there can be feelings of jealousy. I love how the parents in the book handle Little Bunny when he starts to feel a bit jealous of the new baby. I really appreciate how it doesn’t talk bad about the baby and still portrays him in a good light in spite of the jealous feelings.
Well, my babe is due in 3 weeks, but I still have a couple more ideas on how to prepare a tot for a younger sibling. I plan on getting a post out before the babe comes…unless he decides to make an early appearance!
Let me know…what are your best tips for preparing a toddler for this big change? I would love to have a few more ideas and I’m sure others want to know too!
I really enjoy reading your blog! We have an almost 2 year old & are expecting our baby girl to be born any day now. Another good book we found was ‘I’m a Big Brother’ by Joanna Cole. It’s very positive, talks about what the baby can/cannot do, what big brother can do to help & also how big brother used to be a baby too!
~Jamie
We read My New Baby by Rachel Fuller to our daughter when her brother was cookin’. She was nearly 2.5 and this book was simple and straightforward for a little one. I’m a Big Sister by Ronne Randall was another great one. Both books did a good job of explaining what it’d be like for her with the new baby, and what to expect from the baby.
These are great books Amanda! I also used books to prepare my first child for his younger sibling’s arrival a few years back. And I believe they played a very vital role in my older child’s positive reaction towards the new baby. Another vital thing I did was involve my older child in preparations for the baby in any way possible. I make it a point to involve her in choices like choosing her clothes, toys and etc.
I’m in the beginning of my pregnancy and a friend of mine told me something that can curb jealousy is if you feed them at the same time. Like, if it’s baby’s time to nurse get big brother or sister a snack or a glass of milk or even water and it somehow curbs jealousy.
Exciting times ahead for you! I loved Let’s Eat for subtle look at bringing a new addition into the family. Hope you all had a lovely Christmas. Can’t wait to read what D&B gets up to in 2013 🙂
These books are so adorable, big brothers would be really encouraged to take part in taking care little siblings. It’s really best to let them know that they are still loved even though there will be another baby in the house.