With baby number two’s arrival now just a few weeks away I am hoping that we have done enough to prepare W for the major changes about to descend on Casa B with the arrival of his new sibling.
Being just two and a half years old it is a little tricky to grasp just how much of what is happening, and about to happen, that he actually comprehends but I think we have hopefully done enough to make it a reasonably smooth and enjoyable transition from only child to big brother.
These are a few of the steps we have taken:
1. Brought W along to all scans. From the beginning we have talked about ‘the baby in Mummy’s tummy’ and I think coming along to all of my scans and actually seeing the baby on the screen has helped him to get a better grip on what is actually happening.
2. Read books about new baby brothers and sisters. As soon as I knew that I was pregnant I rushed out to buy a couple of childrens’ books on the subject and we have been mixing them in with W’s normal bedtime stories throughout the week for quite a while. I chose Topsy and Tim and the New Baby by Jean and Gareth Adamson, and Miffy and the New Baby by Dick Bruna. For a great round up of books on this subject there is a wonderful post over on Yellow Days here.
3. Prepared a present from W for the new baby. We were lucky enough to be sent this beautiful My First Miffy plush toy which will make the perfect gift from W to the new baby.
I made sure he was involved in wrapping it up and he is looking forward to bringing it into the hospital for the baby when he/she arrives. It really is cute as a button and is available from The Miffy Shop for £14.99.
4. Prepared a ‘Big Brother Kit’ for W from the new baby. I think it is important that when W meets his brother or sister for the first time as well as bringing along a present he should also receive one himself, hopefully reinforcing it as a truly positive experience. I got the idea of a ‘Big Brother Kit’ from this wonderful post I found on pinterest.
First I designed some ‘Big Brother’ monster logos which I then made into stickers via moo.com and transferred onto blank t-shirts using Iron-on printable vinyl sheets which I found on amazon.co.uk.
I also transferred on to a plain linen bag.
As well as the t-shirts and stickers I also included in the bag a colouring book and some pencils, which may provide some entertainment during hospital visits, some play-doh and accessories and some Thomas the Tank Engine stickers.
I have wrapped each item in brightly coloured tissue paper and sealed with one of the ‘Big Brother’ stickers.
So hopefully all will go smoothly and W’s transition from only child to big brother will be a positive one.
I will keep you posted!
I would love to hear what you think and if you have any other advice on how best to approach this I would love to hear your thoughts.
We are also linking up to Pin It Tuesday.
Disclosure: The ‘My First Miffy’ toy featured was provided free of charge by The Miffy Shop.
I bet W will be an amazing big brother and the bag is a brilliant idea. Thanks for linking to my book post. I think reading with E and giving him the chance to ask questions (so far as he could at 2) was the best way of exploring what was coming. I found that as soon as T arrived E just seemed to instinctively want to look after him and understood that he needed to be gentle. It really was lovely to watch.
Oh fingers crossed we will have a similar situation here.
We did very similar things. Of course, we have the advantage that Ethan is nearly 4 and understands a lot more, but even still, he couldn’t comprehend the amount of change. He really surprised me by adjusting very well though.
When we introduced him to Felix he jumped up and down saying “my brother is here!” And his face lit up like a beacon when he got his presents from Felix. He’s adjusted so well and has only acted up a tiny bit a couple of times.
I’m sure you’ve done all the right things 🙂 xxx
I am so glad to hear Ethan was so delighted and has reacted so well. Hope you are all doing well and getting some sleep x
Keep the bag full of stuff that only big brother’s are allowed to have.We had a box full of books and small toys when my second and third came along and that was great for when I was breastfeeding.
That is a great idea Aly, thank you.
I bought a brilliant book called “There’s a house inside my mummy” by Giles Andreae. I also took a photo in a frame of my daughter into hospital. I was going to have it by my bedside when she visited so she knew I was thinking about her, but I was on a 6 hour discharge so she never visited! Finally we bought her a toy changing mat that came with a tiny (empty) pot of sudocrem and my mum made her some toy nappies out of an old towel and some velcro. Every time I changed the baby she changed her dolly
I love the idea of taking a photo in. Blimey though, a 6 hour discharge is pretty quick! Thanks for commenting x
What lovely ideas for getting ready for a new baby.
Thank you, and thanks for stopping by.
Lovely ideas! Sounds like you are very organised. Perhaps let your son introduce everyone to the new arrival, little responsibilities always help!
That is a great idea, will definitely try it, thank you.
Oh my it’s all come round so soon – you look very well prepared and those are super ideas x
Thanks Annie, some things are ready, some not at all. Still…it’s only a baby right. How hard can it be? 😉
What a brilliant idea
What a brilliant idea xx
Thanks Claire. Just need the baby to arrive now!
OMG the big brother kit is such an awesome idea. You really have put a lot of thought into this, I’m so impresse – all i wanted to do when i was pregnant was sleep. I’m pinning this to the Sunday Parenting Party pinterest board and featuring this weekend.
er! are you going to change the name of your blog then?
I don’t know! I really didn’t think this name through at all did I? Eek! Thanks so much for sharing it for me 🙂
Fab post.
We love Topsy & Tim and the New Baby as well.
Thanks so much for sharing at the Friday Baby Shower, I’ll be featuring your post this week – Alice x
Thanks Alice. That is really kind of you.