3 year old and one on the way...?

Question

My daughter is 3 and a half and i am 3 months pregnant. At first she was excited about having a brother or sister, but realized that she will have to share her grandparents and mommy and daddy with a new baby. Just looking for some tips to help her adjust. We already plan on having her help with the baby as much as she wants as well as fix up her room as we buy new things for the baby and its nursery. Any suggestions or advice from those with experience will be greatly appreciated!! Thanks!

Answer 1

I am in the same boat has you. I have a four year son and I am pregnant has well. Right now I don't know how well he going react to this baby. Right now he knows there a baby in mommy belly. And I spending sometime with him has well. I took him yesterday to my doctor for ultrasound and hear the heartbeat. He was interested in that. They even handed him a ultrasound picture of the baby. I would take her to ultrasound when you get one. And spend time with her when the baby is sleeping. That want I be doing. Also get the him help me out with the baby has well. Someone bring him and his older brother to meet their new sibling at the hospital before I come home with the baby. SHe might show some jealousy for while.

Answer 2

I don't know how you feel about finding out what your having ... but that was the best thing i could have done.  My daughter really wanted a little sister and when we found out we were having a boy she had time to adjust to having a brother before he was even here.  We also had her help with naming him.  Other than that being patient with her and making sure others are willing to spend "special" day's with just her after the baby is here helps as well.

Answer 3

I HAVE 4 KIDS NOW AND WITH THE COMING OF EACH NEW BABY.  I HAD THE CHILD HELP WITH THE PREPARATIONS OF THE NEW ONE.  LIKE SHOPPING AND NAME PICKING.  AND ONCE THE BABY IS BORN.  STRESS TO ANY VISITORS THAT MAKE THERE WAY TO SEE THE NEW ONE THAT THEY ACKNOWLEDGE YOUR DAUGHTER FIRST.  ASK HER QUESTIONS ABOUT HER AND NOT WHAT SHE THINKS OF HER BABY OR ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT THE NEW ONE.  SHOW SOME INTEREST IN HER ONLY.  SO BEFORE YOUR GUEST EVEN SAY HELLO TO THE NEW BABY HAVE THEM SAY HI TO YOUR DAUGHTER FIRST.  IT WORKED GREAT EVERY TIME FOR ME.  AND NONE OF MY KIDS HAD ANY RESENTMENT TOWARD THERE NEW SIBLING.  THE ONLY PROBLEM THEY HAD IS THAT THE BABY CRIED TO MUCH.  AND THAT'S IS.  I ALSO INVOLVED MY KIDS IN DIAPER CHANGING AND BOTTLE FEEDING.  THEY LOVED THAT TOO.  AND BE SURE TO SCHEDULE SOME ONE ON ONE TIME WITH YOUR DAUGHTER SO SHE DOES STILL HAVE THAT TIME WITH YOU OR WITH HER GRANDPARENTS.   GOOD LUCK.   AND CONGRATULATIONS.

Answer 4

You are doing things in the right way, let her become involved in the baby preparations. Talk about how much the baby loves her, and can't wait to meet her.

What we did was buy our little girl a baby doll, wrapped it up in fancy paper and put it at the end of the baby cot in the hospital, so that when she came in to visit for the first time there was a present from her brother, it worked very well.

Good Luck with the new baby when it arrives.

Don't worry children adjust very quickly.

UK based MUM

Answer 5

You could get her a baby doll to take care of while you take care of the baby.  Have her come see the baby in the hospital if they allow it.  When she helps out with the baby, tell her what a great big sister she is.  Spend plenty of quality time with her when the baby is napping.  Also, it would be nice when you bring the baby home if you bring her a small gift from the baby :)  Try not to do any other big adjustments with her around the baby's due date (starting preschool/potty training/getting a new babysitter/etc.)  You are off to a great start already with letting her help out with baby preparations  :)