We are really in baby mode around here and are getting ready for Baby Brother’s appearance any day now. One of my biggest concerns is how J will handle the big change of becoming a Big Brother.
I have done a bit of prep-work with J to prepare him. So far we’ve played with baby dolls, read his baby book, and read books all about having a new baby in the house.
Today’s tip is one of my favorites though. It is a good exercise in showing J how I will have to stop and take care of his brother throughout the day. I wanted to show him that I’ll have to hold, feed, and change the baby.
I use a baby doll that I sit down with for a short period of time every day. I pretend to take care of the baby by changing it’s diaper, holding it, feeding it, and burping it. I talk to J throughout this time telling him everything I’m doing. I talk about how Baby Brother will need to be taken care of and that Mommy will have to spend time with brother.
I really think that this is helping him understand a bit about what goes into taking care of babies. I also hope that it prepares him for the fact that I’ll have to sit and spend time away from J in order to take care of Baby Brother.
What have you done to help your older child(ren) prepare for a new sibling? I’m always looking for new tips!
sweetest picture ever…..at least until youre holdimg the real thing!
I tried my best to prepare my then 16 month old for the birth of our twins, unfortunately I was sent away to the city at 33 weeks. I returned at 37 weeks but had the babies several days later. There wasn’t enough time to fully prepare him close to the birth. Just lots of talking about the babies in mummy’s tummy and labelling all the little bubby stuff. I think the twins and my pregnancy health issues were a huge shock for our family.
such a great post. hopefully i can use these tips sometime this summer/fall. shared and pinned.
My 3 year-old daughter has really enjoyed helping me get stuff ready for the baby: puting baby clothes in the dresser, washing and folding baby blankets, etc. We also play a sort of game, “What can I do with the baby?” We list things Mommy will do with the baby (Mommy will feed the baby, give the baby baths,etc.) and things she can do (“Anna” can sing to the baby, get the washcloth off the shelf so Mommy can wash the baby, etc.) The more things we think of that she can do with the baby, the more excited she gets! (Plus she also already knows there are some things she can’t do, like feed the baby or pick her up.)
Well, soon-to-be big brothers and sisters are always the first ones who get excited when it comes to knowing the gender of their sibling. I wonder if they know how ultrasounds work, but all we know is that what they are just after is all in that black and white picture.