I'm expecting our second child in March. I am a SAHM with a 2-1/2 year old right now.
I was hoping for some wisdom and tips for an easy transition when baby #2 arrives. I am expecting my days to be a little more busy with two children. I was wondering how most of you were able to divide your attention between the two children. I am a little worried that my 2 year old will be upset that I will no long be available at a moments notice to play trains all day.

for me there was no easy transition lol it was a CRAZY time and still is.

DD would get up at night wondering why the baby was crying....seeks way more attention. But thankfully the regression in going potty has not come!

I would just talk talk talk to them, let your child know you are still available, if it's just reading a book while you nurse etc.

One piece of advice that someone gave me, was every new milestep that baby made ( like smiling ) ask the older child "did YOU teach her that??!!) make a big deal out of them having a hand in teaching baby.

I also had a friend who was close to dd take a baby doll and show her how to be gentle, and touch baby nicely. It was better than coming from me.

Make sure you discuss what will happen when you are in hosp. That was heartbreaking for my little one that I would not be home to sleep.

All that stuff about giving baby a gift and baby giving big sister a gift did not work for us.... lol... made her more greedy!

Hope all goes smooth! Good luck!

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married 8 years to a crazy Brit, mommy to a banana, she is 4 and a pineapple who is 11 months, mommy to 3 ~angel~ babies

I was so worried about what it was going to be like when Jamie was born. Towards the end of my pregnancy I felt so bad for Bob thinking he was going to hate me and feel bad.

You may be lucky, as I was, because Bob has adored his baby brother from day one. My biggest problem was keeping Bob from trying to pick Jamie up all the time.

Now, they fight over toys and Bob did go through a "hitting" stage for a couple weeks, but I really have been lucky with these two.

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Wendy~Self-proclaimed hippie momma to Bob and Jamie

Mine are 3 yrs apart and here is a few things I did:
before the baby came
*he went to a lot of my appts. with me and heard the heartbeat.
*he helped Dad tighten up the crib ( we moved him to a big boy bed at about 2 1/2)
*talked a lot about babies and how they cry because they haven't learned to talk. Always pointed out babies when we were out.
*intro. to the potty
*read a lot of books about becoming a big brother
Once the baby came. He did cry every time the baby cried, then he ended up running to another room.
I had him help me with the baby any time there was an opportunity. We called him diaper dude. He was in charge of bringing me diapers and throwing them away.
I made sure when the baby was sleeping I spent some one on one time with him.
When we were out with the baby, people always comment on the baby and I had to be sure to comment on how good of a big brother he is to them to get him some attention.
it went fairly smooth. He regressed a little the first few weeks after the baby came with potty training, but he got back on track quickly! Good Luck!

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"Before I was a Mom I didn't know the feeling of having my heart outside my body." ~Anonymous

I have a daughter that just turned 11 months on the 2nd and am due in July. I have been thinking about that a lot lately.

The baby brought his big sister a My Little Pony castle -- and I wonder why I had an emergency c-section! Though this was something that I worried about non-stop it actually hasn't been that big of a deal. Liliana (who was 3 months shy of 4 when her brother was born) took to him very quickly and he simple adores her! I've attempted to involve big sister as much as possible and she has been a huge help. Yes there was a little bribery involved prior to his birth but my daughter REALLY wanted a little sister and she overheard me discussing a gift with her father and latched on to that one. If he hadn't brought the castle I think we would have had more problems than not.

Now that the baby is 6 months old, I'm actually starting to see a slight battle of the wills. Liliana will give something to Logan, he's starting to become interested in things, she'll take it away, and he'll scream. That one is getting a little old. But for the most part they are very good with one another.

Good question Jellylou! As you know, we are in the same boat. Bryce will turn 3 and eleven days later (if all goes as planned) will be a big brother. We are doing his big boy room this weekend- now that the Christmas rush has subsided. He is going to "help" Grandpa and Daddy paint the baby's room next week. I too worry that he will feel like he is missing out on mommy time... but in the long run, I know this baby brother is going to be the best gift we can give him. Keep the great advice coming ladies!!

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Mommy to Bryce 2/20/2005 and Skye 3/4/2008

Have your oldest pick out a gift to give to baby in the hospital? My girls are 3 years apart, and she still remembers that it was the GlowWorm she gave her sister.
Your 2 year old more than likely only takes one nap a day, so while baby is napping in the morning give your oldest 1:1 time.
Have your oldest help out with baby...can you mommy a diaper, etc.
Good luck.

My oldest was almost three when my second was born. I feel it was the perfect age to add a sibling. We made it a point to let Riley know that this was HIS little baby. We talked about loving the baby and treating him nice. How Riley would be the babies teacher....we just made it all about Riley. We had the baby bring home a gift to Riley (a big fire truck) and Riley picked out Wyatt's first hot wheel car and we took that to the hospital.

Riley's birthday was two weeks after the baby was born and we made sure to still give him a nice birthday party. We didn't want to not give him one and have him think it was because of the new baby.

When family and friends would come over with gifts for me or the baby we had a bag sitting near the front door. It had small wrapped gifts for Riley. If someone didn't bring him a gift they could pick out of that bad. That way it wasn't always the baby getting a gift.

I do agree that when the baby napped in the morning that was my time to spend with Riley. Then at the afternoon nap time we all tried to sleep. Oh and make your son your little helper. They love to help. Show him all the baby stuff, let him pick out a blanket and then have him help you once the baby comes.

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Jodie....Wife to Andrew (1995)
Mommy to Riley (2000) and Wyatt (2003)

I have the same worries my DS he will be turning 5 on july 7 and I am due Aug 30, But I am liking the advie you are all giving.NOT TRYING TO TAKE OVER THE THREAD.

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