expecting second baby how will my first baby react???

[chilli77]

Hello, not sure if this is the right section as I havent used this site for a while!!! Im xpecting my second baby in January my little girl will be 22 months, im a little worried about how she will be , will she be jealous? I would love to hear your comments/advice. She is a wonderful baby, no problems what so ever. many thanks for reading.

Hi Chilli
My DS1 was 19m when DS2 was born. To be honest he was mostly fine. Once DH had gone back to work we had a bit of a backlash with a few more tantrums etc than normal but I just gave him loads of attention. Which isn't as hard as it sounds as the baby sleeps a lot (well mine did) or was in a sling.
Good tips we were given are
buy a present for the new baby to give to your DD when it is born
Make sure that when your DD meets her new sibling for the first time (at hospital or at home) you are not holding her/him so you can give your DD a big hug.
Have books/ DVDs/ puzzles handy that you can use when the baby feeds (one handed things for you!!)
get your DD to help out as much as possible fetching and carrying things to make her feel important
never leave them alone together however well she appears to be taking it!!
try to keep your DD's routine going as much as is feesible (we were back at tofdler group in week 3!)
Hope this helps and goog luck!

My dd was 23 months and she loves dd2 to bits. My advice would be keep them involved in all the preparations, be prepared to spread yourself thinly (eg read books to toddler while breastfeeding/bottlefeeding etc). Toddlers can be amazingly helpful about fetching things. My other tip would be a reasonably high stool so she can see the nappy changing table and feel involved. Ignore hitting as much as you humanly can and try to distract and encourage protectiveness, always talk about how caring she is to the baby and build up her responsible side. Good luck x

Hi Chilli

My Ds was 20m when dd now 6m was born - I was a bit concerned about ds when I found out I was expecting again - though we did plan it! But aside from having to be very vigilant regarding what ds does around baby especially as she is beginning to crawl - he loves to hug her but can be over exuberant! I have found his relationship with her very sweet - he likes helping with changing her nappies - when she was newborn he liked handing me bits of cottonwool to wipe her and would fetch things for me - I made an effort to get him involved from the start and it is paying off now. He looks after a toy doll and has even attepted to feed dd when she crys by lying close to her as if bf'ing all very sweet he can be a little bugger too if he is tired or bored and goes through phases of snatching toys etc. but jealousy is going to be an issue whatever the gap - and it is nice that they will be close in age and have more in common as they grow up [hopeful emoticon]

ALL in all any problems I have come across have been minor ds has had lots of attn from dh and gp's while i was looking after dd as a newborn so he never felt left out and i even continued bf'ing ds throughout pg and for a month after which I also think helped. He is also able to make dd chuckle like no one else which is lovely to see and dd face lights up every time she sees ds - so don't worry and congratulations - just get as much help from family as you can as pg with young toddler is hard work.

many thanks for your messages, they have made me feel alot more confident, and the idea about the present from the new baby is great. Im thinking she will be ok as long as i give her alot of attention and try to keep her routine the same as usual. thanks agin i appreciate itxxx

many thanks for your messages, they have made me feel alot more confident, and the idea about the present from the new baby is great. Im thinking she will be ok as long as i give her alot of attention and try to keep her routine the same as usual. thanks agin i appreciate itxxx

I have a 22 month gap between my ds and dd. Like you i was worried how ds would be. Should have saved my time by not worrying as had no problems what so ever.

Got him involved with baby sister and made sure i gave him plenty of Mummy time while his sister was sleeping. Also made a fuss of him whenever we had any visitors.

Good Luck im sure you'll have no problems at all......hopefully!