How did you get your child(ren) ready for a sibling?

Now that my DC is going to have a sibling, I am wondering how to prepare. Can you recommend any books or dolls or anything that will help ease the transition. Thank you. (PS...sorry I am anonymous...I am a regular poster and I promise I will come out soon).

Re: How did you get your child(ren) ready for a sibling?

My son was almost 2 (they are exactly 2 years apart)... I found he comprehended it just a little, so we just went with the basics, like reading to him each night the book : I'm Going to be a Big Brother.

And, even though he is a boy, we bought him a small baby doll, and told him that we were getting a new baby too.

We also transitition him to his own bed in his own room. We told him when the new baby came, she would need to use the crib. We started with just naps in his bed, and that worked well.

We also moved him out of his high chair and into a booster seat at the table. That way he was out of these things before the baby came and we didn't have to let him think he was giving them up for her when she was here, KWIM.

Re: How did you get your child(ren) ready for a sibling?

Sarah was still pretty young so it was hard. We read books about becoming a big sister. We moved her into her big girl room a few months in advance so she wouldn't feel like she was being kicked out of her room by him. We got her a baby doll to play with, but she used to chew on it's hands and feet.

I also used to put on shows like A Baby Story, Bringing Home Baby while we were playing so that she would hear the baby crying. Then I'd talk about the baby crying and how the mommy needs to help the baby but the mommy would still be able to play.

Re: How did you get your child(ren) ready for a sibling?

I think it depends on the age of your child. I was pregnant when my daughter was 2 and she was super sweet, we talked about it here and there. I eventually lost the baby. Now I am pregnant again (my daughter was 3 when we found out). I had a rough road for a while so she was very comforting and helpful. She knows I am having a baby, she knows she is a big sister and is super excited about everything. I've taken out all the baby stuff, taken her to baby stores, she is around other babies and watches siblings inteact. Shows like Dora and so on have Big Sibling story lines (which helped when she was 2). Now she is older she gets it all and I involve her 100% in everything, even dr. visists. She also helped picked out her sisters name. Congrats and good luck.