Well, my two girls were born 20 months apart. So that was a little bit difficult. What i did actually worked, i did trial and error. Even though Brianna (big sister) was still little herself, i made her help out and actually made her feel like a "big girl". When we brought Marianna (little sister) home from the hospital Brianna wanted to hold her right away. So we helped her. She helped with getting things ready for bathtime, changing diapers, picking out clothes and stuff like that. Even though there is excitement about the new baby, don't forget to make special time with your toddler/preschooler! Hopes this helps.

Angie

I made sure the toddler got to hold the baby right away, within an hour of birth (we don't stay in a hospital or birthing suite - we're home by then), then I ensure she "helped" with everything.  Getting me diapers, clothes, drinks of water, whatever.  Toddlers love to "help", and I asked her to do things even when I didn't really need them done because she felt like a big girl and got very excited!  She would sit while I breastfed and caress baby's cheeks, coo and talk to her, it's lovely.

SANDRA
Non-vaxing, co-sleeping, babywearing, gentle disciplining, free-ranging, loving attachment mama to Brett (16), Justus (11), Autumn (4), & Ayla (1)
http://www.photographybysandra.com

yeah...hospital birth is harder right now with all the flu policies keeping siblings away:(  Just another reason to give birth at home, right? lol

Anyhoo...My first son was almost 17 months when my second was born.  We bought the baby a lovey for big brother to give to him (which he did a bit forcefully) but it was cute.  He got to "hold him" with lots of help and give him kisses and such.  It was pretty easy for us, but I'm sure age and temperment of the older child can make it vary a lot!

originally posted by SandraStehly

I made sure the toddler got to hold the baby right away, within an hour of birth (we don't stay in a hospital or birthing suite - we're home by then), then I ensure she "helped" with everything.  Getting me diapers, clothes, drinks of water, whatever.  Toddlers love to "help", and I asked her to do things even when I didn't really need them done because she felt like a big girl and got very excited!  She would sit while I breastfed and caress baby's cheeks, coo and talk to her, it's lovely.

---

SANDRA
Non-vaxing, co-sleeping, babywearing, gentle disciplining, free-ranging, loving attachment mama to Brett (16), Justus (11), Autumn (4), & Ayla (1)
http://www.photographybysandra.com

Eyelids, Earlobes, Foreskins, Clitoral hoods.  What do they have in common?  They are all functioning skin and there's no reason to remove them.

My son was 17 months old when my daughter was born. Before she was born, we practiced a lot with a doll so he could get used to a 'baby' being around all the time. He used to rub my belly and talk to it. He came to visit us in the hospital within a two hours of her birth. Unfortunately my family busted in before I could put the baby down so he was a little resentful of ME at first. I would reccomend having the baby in her bassinet or even in the nursery for a little bit so your older daughter can visit you first and get used to the hospital surroundings before meeting baby sis. It might be a little overwhelming otherwise.

Keep your older child's schedule as normal as possible. If she has playdates or goes to preschool, continue to send her. It gives you a break from caring for two children and a chance to rest (hopefully!) and gives your daughter a break from the baby. I continued to send my son to daycare for a few weeks after my daughter was born. He loved to see his friends and couldn't wait to see his sister when it was time to go home. Make sure you set aside some one on one time for you and your toddler.

15 months later and my children are best friends. They play together and get in trouble together and I wouldn't have it any other way!

The best advice I can give you is that you need to make sure you schedule one on one time with your toddler. Instead of getting a sitter for your toddler, find a sitter for the baby so you and the toddler can do special stuff, just like you did before the baby was there.

My DDs are 2 years and 2 mths apart and i pretty much just tried to make sure that my oldest understood it was HER baby sister, she is totally protective of her if other people are around. she loves to help feed her and change her diaper and bathe her. Just make sure you allow her to help but also let her know what is off limits. and be prepared for "accidents" 2 funny stories. My 2 year old (teddi) the day after we brought the baby (josie) home from the hospital she put Super glue (nail glue the stuff that dries within seconds) on the babies lips and then said "mommy baby pretty!!!" she thought she had put lip gloss on her sister and she was so proud of herself i had to explain why she couldnt do that and peel the glue off the baby (who didnt cry at all) and call poison control.  (BTW it is impossible to get poisoning from nail glue it dries to fast to make it to the tummy or get abosorbed)

Teddi's fav new game now is hide the baby, she drags the baby by her feet to where she wants her. and then comes and gets me and tells I havr to go and find the hiding baby! lol cracks me up!

Love SS

this can be very hard if you're breastfeeding on demand around the clock.  Get a sling and wear your infant all the time so you can have one-on-one time with your toddler during the copius amount of time the baby is sleeping in the sling ;)

originally posted by Kiari

The best advice I can give you is that you need to make sure you schedule one on one time with your toddler. Instead of getting a sitter for your toddler, find a sitter for the baby so you and the toddler can do special stuff, just like you did before the baby was there.

Eyelids, Earlobes, Foreskins, Clitoral hoods.  What do they have in common?  They are all functioning skin and there's no reason to remove them.

I am happy to say our transition was very easy-Ds was 3 when DD was born and he loves his sister so much.  Try to keep with his routine(school, ect) as much as possible and let the older one help out with diaper changes, bath time, ect.  This will keep them involved.  Also have some one on one time every week with the older one with mom or dad for something special.  My son had swim lessons every Sat morning

We had a couple of Big Sister books for Paige and read them regularly before Zoe was born.  When Paige went with Grandma & Grandpa while I was in the hospital, I made sure to include those books with her things I packed for her.  When we were reunited as a family, I made sure to involve Paige as much as possible, even if she was snuggling next to me while I nursed Zoe.  During Zoe's naps, I made sure to give Paige some much needed one-on-one time doing whatever she wants.  I still do this actually and Zoe gets her one-on-one time before Paige wakes up in the morning.

Cat - Mom to Paige & Zoe
SAHM? Ask me about MOMS Club of Lansing, Holt, Grand Ledge, Dimondale & Potterville

My girls are 22 months apart, and the transition has been far better than I could have imagined!  The first thing I did, was have Big Sister books for her.  Then, at the hospital, we had an entire goody bag packed from baby Jenna to her big sister.  Found a really sweet Big Sister card to go with it.  Included art supplies, so she had something to do in the hospital.  Then, when we got home, I found as many ways as possible to have Sarah help.  She brought me diapers and wipes for diaper changes.  She helped me burp Jenna after feedings.  I also read many books to her while nursing, with her sitting next to me on the couch.  Then, as soon as I felt ready, I headed off to Sarah's favorite places with Jenna.  She quickly leanred that Jenna was part of her everyday life and routine, and they are aboslutely the best of friends.  It's only been since March, but it's going really, really well.

 SAHM to 2 beautiful daughters 

Working to put a book in every home!

www.BooksFromAtoZ.com