Tips for helping DC1 (2y3m) adjust to DC2

[roarfeckingroarr]

Just that really. I'm due baby 2 in the next few weeks and really worried about how to help my 2 year old boy adapt. He's had 100% attention from me and his dad since birth and we are very close, he's very much mummy's boy and he's the absolute light of my life.

I know to get him a present from the baby and we talk about our baby that we will look after together, but as an only child myself I'm a bit clueless.

I'm feeling bereft and so guilty at the thought of him being sad.

Bump please !

Hi!! Just here to bump your post, I have no advice but im also curious x

Lots of preparing him with talking about babies, what they do, funny things they do etc and how he can be a big boy and help. When baby comes lots of praise for being so kind and gentle and helpful. Use baby nap time to have some quality time with the older one- stories, toys, things that you can really bond with them over.
most kids adjust well to siblings and it becomes their new normal very quickly.

good luck - take it easy, there will be some days it all feels overwhelming with two littles (well it did for me anyway) but seeing them become best friends is worth it!

For the first week we bought little 'presents' that they could go and unwrap when the baby needed feeding/changing. They were tiny little things from poundland e.g balloons, a book, a tiny car etc but it meant our oldest didn't get frustrated by all the interruptions and associated the baby with pressies! Worked really well for us.

When I had DC2, DC1 was very excited but she really struggled when I fed him. We decorated a shoebox together and I put special things in it like new colouring pencils, book, fiddle toys and sometimes a little snack.We then only brought it out when DD2 needed my attention such as feeding or when the health visitor came.

She went from crying when he needed feeding to looking at him asleep and saying I hope he wakes up soon for some milk!

I have the exact same gap between my dc.

Gift from new baby and everyone who came to visit made a big fuss of dc1.
I found giving dc little jobs to do like picking up a towel, getting a nappy etc was a good way to get them engaged.

Some days are hard but don't worry too much about it.