Preparing Toddler for new Baby?

[BeeBear2019]

My 2nd baby is due in September, and my little boy will be 26 months when baby arrives.
Does anyone have any tips for introducing the new baby, to make it as smooth and stress free for my little boy as possible?
Is there anything worth getting now, in the hope to prepare him?

We try to explain there is a baby in Mummy's tummy, but I can tell her doesn't really understand it's an actual human being in there

Any advice would be very much appreciated!
Thank you xx

Also in the same boat all be it a couple of months ahead of you as I'm 39 weeks. We got our DS a doll and we've spent time with our friend with newborns to encourage him to interact with them and he loves giving them attention. She's suggested we get a toy bag for when I'm bfeeding newborn to keep him occupied as all he wants to do is feed her newborns which isn't going to be as easy as a bottle 😂.

DD2 is 3 weeks old, DD1 is 22months, I was so worried haha
We just spend the pregnancy saying 'bubba/baby' to my bump, she would give it kisses when DP did.
She is too young to understand but when we came home with the baby she was absolutely amazed, she just kept pointing saying 'bubba'. All she has done since is give her kisses and cuddles and runs up to her if she cry's.
She has honestly taken it in her stride.
I really don't expect the niceness to last forever haha
Goodluck!

@LifeIsBusy He is very aware if we ask him where the baby is - sometimes he lifts my top and points and he gives my bump kisses etc.. I suppose with the age he is, there isn't much more we can do.

I was wondering about getting a doll.. which one did you go for?? xx

@GAW19 This sounds lovely, and so good for you that is is going well! Congratulations on your new arrival xx

Following as am a month or so behind you with DD who will be 27 months!
At the moment we are talking about bellies which is then going to be a baby in the belly when my bump becomes nice rather than the gassy blob that it is at present 😂. She loves dolls already and is very into bottle feeding and dummies, neither of which she had so that's been interesting to see. She just has a couple of Chad valley dolls and a few accessories, nothing expensive or sophisticated.

There are lots of good books about getting a new sibling. For that age, I’d recommend Waiting for Baby and My New Baby, both by Rachel Fuller. Also, I Am A Big Brother by Caroline Jayne Church.

I'm in a similar position... baby due in November and my DS will be almost 3. I have no idea how to prep!

We had a book I can't think of the author, but it's a children's book (the same as the potty training books, with the cheering button on - pirate Pete?!?) but for new baby.
But the best thing I did was to take my two with me to choose the baby grow/s that No 3 would wear/leave hospital in. Four years on and they still talk about it.
I would say (some) children respond very well to responsibility, so helping you to do things, just small simple things.... help get the nursery ready, help wash clothes....
Best of luck with all your new additions!

I found when baby was here slightly more tricky and managed to give myself mastitis more than once because I kept pulling baby off me to focus on older child's needs 🙄 so you live and learn.

Had exactly the same age gap, we didn’t tell eldest until about 2 months before DC2 due as they have no concept of time.
Bought 2 or 3 books and read these at bedtime.
Also involved eldest as best you can with toddler in setting up baby’s room.
Eldest when he came to visit thought baby was staying at hospital 😂😂

We just picked one up in tesco the other day that was on offer and came with a dummy and bottle. He carries it around everywhere and makes sure his baby is tucked up in bed nice and comfortable.