Two under 3? Tips for preparing.

[deliwoman1]

Hi everyone, found out I'm pregnant and am hoping its a sticky one. We have a DD who is almost 17-months, so if all goes well, she'll be just over 2 when her sibling is born. It's occurred to me that I really don't know how to prepare for this!

Mostly I'm thinking about how to eventually prepare DD for the transition. I quit breastfeeding at 12 months in preparation for ttc, and DD currently has a well-established daytime nap/bedtime routine. She didn't sleep for literally 8 months, but now (touch wood) she's a good sleeper. She's also happily settled in nursery 3 days per week, and we'll keep her there throughout my mat leave.

She still has a baby bottle for her milk (once a day, before her bath), which I'd like to ditch for the sake of her teeth, but so far she's refused milk in anything else. She also has a dummy for sleep and when she's really ill, which I'd also like to get rid of at some point. Am I right in thinking we should prob try to do this sooner rather than later? Would she be likely to 'blame' the baby if we left this stuff too late?

Anything else we should have on the radar? We were thinking of maybe introducing her to a potty in a couple of months, just to get her used to it. She loves sitting on all sorts of things so I think it would be welcome 😂

Any other tips would be greatly appreciated!

I have a 3 and a 6 year old and so when my younger son was born there was a period where I had 2 under 3. About to have my 3rd in about 2 weeks so wondering if that will be any different!!

I'd say having her in nursery is a good shout already. My DS was in nursery 5 mornings a week and it was a great break for the both of us. I got time to focus on new baby and he got time without his little brother.

For a dummy it can affect teeth if it goes on for too long so I'd get that gone before baby is here so there's one less thing to worry about with a new baby. We used a 'dummy fairy' with our now three year old and it worked so well, has never asked for one since. 'Dummy fairy' left a note saying he needed the dummies back and if he left them out he'd leave him a present. He left them all out and next day there was a toy truck there! I think it's unlikely she'd blame the baby.

One other tip is getting her used to the idea a baby is on it's way. We bought DS a doll and he got used to the idea. Also spent time with his cousins who were young babies at the time.

For when baby is here make sure to let DD know she is also important. We gave him a present from his brother when he arrived. Also put time aside to spend alone with DD even if its only 10 minutes a day because that is really important.

I'm sure DD will love the new baby! Congrats and good luck OP!

Thanks, @afternoontea86 that's really helpful. Yes, the nursery is a blessing already, so long may it continue!