• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Fantabulosity logo

  • About
    • About Jessica
    • Newsletter
    • Contact Me
    • Collaborate
    • Resource Page
    • Press
  • Recipes
  • Lifestyle
  • Holidays
  • Shop
    • Printables & Cookbook
    • Shop my Instagram
    • My Favorites
    • “How to Start a Blog” Class
  • Navigation Menu: Social Icons

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Easy Dinner Ideas
  • Start Here!
  • Recipes
  • Lifestyle
  • Holidays
  • Shop
  • Contact
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • ×

    Home » Lifestyle

    Preparing Toddler For A New Baby

    By: Jessica · Posted: Feb 18, 2014 · Updated: Dec 3, 2022 · This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

    “Preparing Toddler For A New Baby.” Ahhh, I remember searching that phrase in my toolbar just months before my second little bundle of joy was to arrive. I knew life was about to change for my husband and I, but I also knew that my toddler’s life was about to be flipped upside down, overnight. I was scared that my son would be in total shock when Mommy and Daddy had to share their love with this new little “thing” that moved in to his house.

    Preparing Toddler For a New Baby https://fantabulosity.com

    I was AMAZED at the transition my son made when we brought the new baby home from the hospital, and I fully believe it’s due to the way we prepared him for this major life change. Here are a few things that we did to help our toddler prepare for the new baby, and hopefully your toddler will be just as prepared!

    • If you know the name of the new baby, immediately start saying it around your todder. {Ex. “Baby B” is in mommy’s belly. “Baby B” will be here soon and he/she loves you. “Can you give “Baby B” a big kiss?”}
    • If possible, put the infant carseat in your car about 2 weeks before the baby is due to arrive. Explain to your toddler that this is “Baby B’s,” new car seat and he/she will get to ride back here with you very soon. This way, every time your toddler is getting in and out of the car, he/she will be reminded that the new baby will be here soon.
    • Read “new baby” books to your toddler. We read, “The Berenstain Bears’ New Baby” book, but there are TONS of “new baby” books out there and Barnes & Noble has an amazing list to choose from.
    • When we would see a baby crying on TV, or out in public, we would make sure to acknowledge that it was a baby, and that’s what “Baby B” will do. You can talk about the new baby all you want, but if your toddler actually acknowledges what a new baby looks like and what it does, will help your toddler understand what to expect.
    • Make sure to include in your “Labor Hospital Bag Must Haves,” this very important little detail: Have the new baby give your toddler a gift so the “new baby,” can give it to your toddler as SOON as he/she walks in to the hospital room to meet the new baby for the first time. My suggestion is to make the gift something that your toddler absolutely loves. For instance, my son loves trains, so the new baby got my son a new train to add to his collection. Something little that wouldn’t take up a lot of space in the hospital room, but when the new baby gave something to my son, that “new baby” was A-Okay in his book. 🙂

    A quick tip:

    Taking a newborn and a toddler out in public, especially taking them out to a restaurant can be a bit stressful. Before the baby comes, go ahead and gather the items you need to make this restaurant kit to keep the toddler entertained!

    Preparing Toddler For A New Baby https://fantabulosity.com

    Now of course every toddler is different, but hopefully just these few changes to every day life will help prepare your toddler for a new baby, and that’s one less “stress” you have to worry about!

    Next post? Life with a toddler AND a new baby! How life totally changes, and how to help your toddler “live” with a new baby. Make sure you sign up so you don’t miss a post!

    More Lifestyle

    • What to Pack for Mexico – Free Printable Checklist
    • Toddler Lunch Ideas
    • 5 Reasons Why Students Should Still Take the ACT/SAT Exam & Free ACT Test
    • Does Laser Hair Removal Hurt? My Honest Review

    Get my 5 Secrets to Get Dinner on the Table FAST!

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

      Leave a Reply Cancel reply

      Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

      Recipe Rating




      This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    1. Michelle says

      February 18, 2014 at 3:12 pm

      We recently went through the exact same change, but we added our 4th baby. I wish I had thought about adding the car seat and having the new baby buy gifts for when we arrived home. We could not have the kids at the hospital due to a flu outbreak.
      I think your post has a lot of great tips and advice for moms adding siblings!

      Reply
      • Jessica says

        February 18, 2014 at 11:03 pm

        4th baby!? You go lady! We want/wanted {still undecided} about 6 kids after we had our first, but after having the second, we’re exhausted and not sure what the future will hold! 🙂 A flu outbreak would be so scary, and you were so smart to keep the kiddos out! I couldn’t imagine bringing that home with a new baby in the house too! Eeeek! Thank you so much for your sweet comments, and I really do hope this helps mommy’s of soon to be “2.” 🙂

        Reply
    2. Mommy on Demand says

      February 22, 2014 at 11:12 am

      I’m not looking forward to this day. Thanks for the great advice! Thanks for sharing at The Weekend Retreat, Hope to see you back on Thursday.

      Reply
      • Jessica says

        February 23, 2014 at 3:18 pm

        Aw, thank you! I hope you find it helpful, and thank you so much for coming by!

        Reply
    3. Stephanie Kay says

      February 26, 2014 at 7:16 pm

      Toddlers and preschoolers are so flexible they adjust very quickly to a sibling. It’s mom and dad that take awhile! lol! I birthed 4 babies in 5.5 years so my kids had a lot of adjusting to do. One of my sweetest memories is driving home from the hospital and seeing my #2 who was 18 months leaned over and holding his baby sister’s hand. 7 years later, they still have a sweet bond. Thanks for sharing via Family Fun Friday.

      Reply
      • Jessica says

        March 03, 2014 at 2:57 pm

        Oh my goodness, good for you! You were {and are I’m sure} a busy momma! My kiddos are just now starting to interact with one another, and I already find so much joy in that! Thank you so much for coming by!

        Reply
      • Jessica says

        March 03, 2014 at 2:57 pm

        Oh my goodness, good for you! You were {and are I’m sure} a busy momma! My kiddos are just now starting to interact with one another, and I already find so much joy in that! Thank you so much for coming by!

        Reply
    4. Susan says

      February 27, 2014 at 8:37 am

      As a mom of 3, I can tell you that you find such joy in the love your children share (and the be confused the next minute when they are arguing). I love the look on your son’s face. I can tell that he’s going to be taking good care of “his” baby. Thanks for sharing at Inspire Us Thursday on Organized 31.

      Reply
      • Jessica says

        March 03, 2014 at 2:55 pm

        Haha! Yes, things can change within a minute when it comes to toddlers and kiddos on how their feelings are. Aw, thank you so much. He has turned out to be such a great big brother. Thank you for coming by!

        Reply

    Primary Sidebar

    Jessica Burgess of Fantabulosity

    Hi, I'm Jessica! Are you ready to add simplicity to your busy life? Here you'll find easy recipes, organization hacks, home & entertaining ideas...

    More about me →

    Slow Cooker Recipes

    • Crock Pot Chicken Enchiladas
    • Slow Cooker Chicken Drumsticks
    • Crock Pot Goulash
    • Easy Slow Cooker Shredded Chicken

    Popular Recipes

    • Bread Pudding Recipe: Easy Old Fashioned Recipe (With Video!)
    • The BEST Hamburgers in the Oven – Gone VIRAL!
    • Easy Cheeseburger Sliders
    • The BEST Fried Shrimp Recipe
    • Instant Pot Pot Roast
    • How to Cook Steak in the Oven

    Fantabulosity Blog Featured On Media

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • About Jessica
    • Contact
    • Collaborate
    • 5 Meal Planning Secrets

    Easy Recipes

    • All Recipes
    • Dinner Recipes
    • Side Dishes
    • Desserts

    How to Cook

    • Oven-Baked
    • Stove-Top
    • No Bake
    • Slow Cooker

    Privacy Policy |Accessibility Copyright © 2023 Fantabulosity | Terms & Conditions | FTC