How did your DC1 cope with arrival of DC2

[bumpitybumpbump]

I asking this because I am pg with number 2 and am very worried about how to handle arrival with DD1. At the moment DD1 goes absolutely ballistic when I cuddle any other child. In particular babies. We visited a friends 6 week old on Saturday and when I or DH had a cuddle DD1 (17 months) was inconsolable. Huge tears and sobbing that continued long after I'd relinquished the wee one and reassumed cuddling of DD1. And this is not the first time it's happened either. She will be 26 months when DC2 arrives. Has anyone has similar experience and how did you handle it? I am worried I've raised a menace! Thank you.

I arranged it so that I could put baby down somewhere safe that DC1 could not reach, pram in kitchen and moses basket behind a toybox in front room etc

then as soon as DC2 started smiling (yes we all know it was wind but DC1 didnt) I would say to DC1 - "wow why does she only smile for you? She never smiles for me. She must like you best."

everytime he poked his head in the pram/moses basket he would then try to make her laugh and as she got older he did make her laugh. He believed completely that she only laughed for him and like him better than anyone else.

It seems to have worked out, they are 9 and 11 now and get on (fairly) well, a lot better than many siblings I know. And he still makes her laugh.

Congratulations, you must be very early in your pregnancy.

I didn't find it much of an issue once the baby had arrived. Mine were older though, they were 3yo. I made sure that they had little things to do, like handing me the wipes when changing nappies and things like that. And a bit like Missing you make a big thing of how helpful and what a good thing you have them to help.

I have a 20 month age gap: DD just turned 2 and DS 4 months.

We've had ups and downs. The hardest is breastfeeding as DD wants to be part of it somehow and gets quite jealous. So I try to make sure I have something ready to distract her: special box of toys, snack or tv.

She does adore her brother though especially now he's getting more interactive. Lots of quite 'violent cuddling.

I've found it a big help to set up a playpen with things for DS (bouncer, baby gym etc) to keep

Oops posted too soon

To keep DS safe.

Also what works really well is asking DD to 'help' with nappy changing or dressing DS. She takes it very seriously and brings wipes or entertains him with a rattle...

Thanks everyone - yes it's early days in this pregnancy, but all going well number two will arrive in May. I'm just so worried about DD1s reaction when she first meets her little brother or sister - maybe she'll be old enough then to understand better?! It's funny because she's very good at sharing toys etc with other children and is gentle with our dog, but wowweee, mummy holding another baby?! Not on her patch !

I'm still expecting no. 2 (due in November) so no advice on how it worked for us, however, we will have exactly the same age gap as you will (26 months) and I remember a few months ago dd would get very upset if I picked up another child. But she doesn't seem to do this this now. She has grown up a lot in the last few months so I would expect your dd to to be a lot more mature at 26 months than she is now. So many things with toddlers are 'just a phase' - hopefully this will be too!