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Too young for "a present from the new baby"?

12 replies

Annarose2014 · 15/08/2016 16:30

The conventional wisdom is that when #2 is born you give #1 a present from the new baby.

But #1 will only be 22 months old and fairly oblivious to the concept of "gifts" - I'm wondering if there's any point?

Should I do it anyway?

OP posts:

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FuzzyOwl · 15/08/2016 16:32

DD will be (at most) 17 months when this baby is born, but I am getting her a few new toys from the baby as a present. I know she won't understand but I am hoping she will be distracted by and enjoy playing with them, so she won't feel left out or upset by the new arrival.

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Casmama · 15/08/2016 16:34

I can't see that it would do any harm and while dc1 might not understand it is from the new baby they would surely like a toy anyway?

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NickyEds · 15/08/2016 16:36

Ds was 19 months when dd was born and we didn't bother with a 'present from the baby '. I did however spend a lot of my pregnancy squirrrelling away cheap little toys, mainly stickers, books from charity shops, cars from pound land etc and would bring something new out every now and then if I needed to feed dd. I still save up small toys to bring out on a rainy day!

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XianLiax · 15/08/2016 16:37

Totally do it!

Present baby and toys at once as a package of happy things.

She doesn't need to understand presents to make happy associations.

I would accommodate her age by maybe having a few small presents delivered at intervals convenient for you to get her out of your hair - but with the same idea of baby=bringer of good things.

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TheEagle · 15/08/2016 16:40

DS1 was 18.5 months when DTs were born. "They" gave him a gift of Playdoh which, in hindsight, was a ridiculous idea because he was far too young for it He didn't even notice/register that it was supposed to be from his new brothers.

I did however do as a PP suggested and collect sticker books, new stories and some small toys (thank you Lidl and Aldk!) to whip out when I was BFing the twins which was all the bloody time

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TheEagle · 15/08/2016 16:40

Aldk? Aldi!

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FeelingSmurfy · 15/08/2016 16:44

A doll set would be good so that (s)he can do things for the doll when you do things for the new baby, and you can practise being gentle with the baby, give baby a kiss etc on the doll "ahhh is your baby crying? Give the baby a kiss make it feel better"

Might not understand gifts but will realise if baby is getting lots of presents and (s)he isn't, get a few cheap bits from pound shop or something and produce one if someone comes with present for new baby only, but give to that person to give to eldest, don't just give it yourself

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TooMinty · 15/08/2016 16:48

DS1 was 23 months when DS2 was born and we did the present from the baby thing. I think it helped a bit, especially as I had a section and had to stay in hospital for a few days.