Preparing For Baby No. 2

Preparing for a newborn is always a special time, however when you are expecting subsequent siblings a lot more preparation is needed to ensure your children do not feel displaced with all the excitement of a new addition. We have compiled a list of suggestions that may help with the transition.

To make the waiting time seem shorter for siblings-to-be wait until the child notices you are showing before you start explaining about a new baby. A few months in a child's life is a long time to wait. You don't want them getting bored with the idea and losing interest prior to the baby's birth.

Make sure they are out of their cot long before baby is born. Allow them to choose their own bed and bedspread/doona to make the transition to a bed more exciting.
Let them help prepare the nursery for baby.

Children may start to feel attached to the new baby if you let them feel the baby moving and kicking.

Let them go through their old baby toys and allow them select what toys you can give the new baby to play with.

Answer all questions about the changes a new baby will make on their lives as simply and honestly as possible.

Include your children with each stage of the pregnancy such as showing the ultrasound photo and let them compare the photo to their own ultrasound. Talk about and compare your pregnancy with them. However, don't overdo it. You don't want your older child expecting to be involved in every aspect once the baby is born, as the baby gets older it will need more stimulation and attention from you and if the older child has had total involvement it could cause jealousy.

Read books together about children who have brothers and sisters and point out the similarities with their own situation.

Talk about what will happen when you go into hospital. Who they will be staying with, how long you will be in hospital and let them know that it may happen unexpectedly in the middle of the night or when they are away at day care or school.
Have a present packed in your hospital bag to give the child from the new baby when they first visit you in hospital and make sure they know it is from the baby.

Help your child to choose a present for the new baby from them to help welcome the new baby home.

When the baby comes home you could give your child a doll to feed, change nappies, bathe and cuddle in imitation of you.

Ask your friends and relatives to acknowledge your children and talk to them before paying attention to the baby.

Buy some new video's or books for the homecoming. Breastfeeding takes a long time in the early weeks and the older child can get quite bored or demand attention if they are not happily occupied.

Special Note
You want your child to accept and form a bond with the baby, however you need to also talk to them about things that may harm the baby. They need to understand that putting a blanket over baby's head, hitting, shaking or trying to feed them could harm the baby and they must always be gentle. It is a good idea to ensure that a toddler is never left alone with a new baby.