New baby on its way any day and DS going to pieces

[icarriedawatermelon2]

DS 2years 2 months has not been sleeping well, hits me when the word baby is said and today bit someone at nursery......all very out of character. He keeps jumping in the swinging crib, baby car seat etc.

He has been very sweet to others babies, but not when I am holding them!!

What can I do, I am due any day now!???

Try to be as patient with him as you can.
There's a lot you can do to make sure he knows that mummy still loves him and that he won't be replaced by his new sibling.
Talk to him as much as you can about the baby that's coming.
Once the baby's born, allow him to hold it and be involved in all aspects of its care.
It's not that difficult to feed a small one with a larger one perched on your knee or having a cuddle at the same time. (I had to quickly perfect that skill myself too)
You can read books to him etc while feeding the baby too.
Allow him to help with nappy changes and bath time.
Personally, I found it really helped my DD to feel that she was a useful big sister with her own new baby, rather than being replaced. She also loved having her own doll to be a mummy to.

Also, be prepared to hand the baby over to daddy or someone else, or even in the worst cases to leave it crying for a few moments, while he has a much needed cuddle with mummy. He will really notice and appreciate that he still takes precidence sometimes over the new arrival.

Above all though, don't worry too much.
He is probably stressed by knowing that something big is about to change in his life, but not really knowing what or how.
Once the baby arrives and he realises that all is not lost, he will probably calm down a lot.

Good luck!

THANK-YOU SO SO SO MUCH!
Great post - made me feel so much better. I really hope once baby is here your right and the fear of the unknown will go away...

Thank-you again xx

RuthChan's suggestions are great, we also got our photo album out loads before ds2 and then ds3 arrived they were fascinated with the idea that they were babies and it kind of told the story of having a baby (I had 18 months between each of mine)

Thats a lovely idea verybusyspider thank-you x

Sorry ladies, back again.

Just wondering how you managed the visits from the MW in the first week......DH may have to work so I will be on my own depending on dates unless mum or dad can come over......MW did't give an specific time she would call last time round with DS.

I'm worried about DS being naughty.....he gets a bit terrible 2 when anything medical happens or the baby word is said.....

sometimes they just know changes are afoot and can't express themselves properly - then when the baby arrives theyt are like 'well so that was what was going to happen' and then are sweetness and light.

I saw a nice suggestion to do (it might have been in the mumsnet book, not sure). It was to get some fabric paints and let DS 'design' on a white baby grow so that he can claim the baby as his own when he sees the baby wearing it. Another way to make him feel involved I suppose.

Also, apparently it is best not to be holding the baby when ds first sees him/her but to have them in the crib or moses basket.

Also, might it be better to say 'ds's little brother or sister' rather than 'the baby'?

They are going to find it tough and will probably not be very nice to you for a bit. you can do some things to make it a bit better but you cannot protect him completely. Neither should you as once he gets through this (which he will) he will be more secure and happy then before as he will know that just because mummy loves someone else it does not mean that he is not loved. It sort of makes you the mother more relaxed as well as giving in to the inevitable (he will be jealous, he will be unhappy) forces you to realise that you cannot be 100% responsible for the happiness of your children and you cannot protect them from everything.

Can you buy a baby doll which your DS could look after in the same way you'll be looking after the newborn?

Thank-you! We have changed his bears nappy this morning and I love the idea of painting a baby grow! I'm 3cm dilated now so better get painting quick!