“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.
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.
- Caught you being good tickets are a game-changer to help reward good behavior!
- 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. 🙂
” book, but there are TONS of “new baby” books out there and Barnes & NobleA 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!
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!
Michelle says
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!
Jessica says
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.” 🙂
Mommy on Demand says
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.
Jessica says
Aw, thank you! I hope you find it helpful, and thank you so much for coming by!
Stephanie Kay says
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.
Jessica says
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!
Jessica says
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!
Susan says
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.
Jessica says
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!