Any advice for preparing DS (16 months) for a new baby due in July?

[ilikeyoursleeves]

I'm not quite sure what to do to help DS get ready for his little brother / sister coming in July. DS is 16 months so will be 21 months when he becomes a big brother. I don't think he has a clue really yet as he is still so young and other than my belly growing there's not been much change yet. Any tips? What did you do and how did it go? Thanks!

I've just had DC2 and my DD is 20 months. She didn't really understand...I would point to my belly and tell her a baby was in there and it was her brother/sister and try to explain when she saw her baby cousin. I only done this in the final few weeks, and she proceeded to lift up my top at every available opportunity and prod my tummy saying "baby"

Now DS is here, she has lifted my top a couple of times and I have said that the baby isn't in there any more and the screaming thing permanently attached to me is the new baby brother....so far she loves him to pieces and helps wind him, pat his head, tries to give him her squash etc.

The baby also bought her a ITNG Ninky Nonk which helped the introductions in hospital....but tbh she was far more interested in cBeebies on the hospital TV

Good luck

I had a 17m old so we told her nothing, although it did help that her childminder had a slightly older baby to look after. She offered DS her juice when she met him (common theme? ). Be prepared for a bit of regression/playing being a baby (I just joined in and crawled around too). As far as your DS goes, he might understand a bit more (but maybe not much). Good luck, I'm sure it'll be fine...