Preparing first born for baby 2 in lockdown

[RMarieClaire]

Currently reading Sarah Ockwell Smith's Second Baby book and it's stressing me out because I can't do a lot of the things she's encouraging, like ensuring consistency of routine (although will be ok if childcare stays open) and making sure my 18mo is comfortable with and knows the people who will take while I'm in labour (still tbc on this but it'll probably be her Nan, who she won't have seen in nearly 6 months)

How are you prepping your toddlers for the arrival of their sibling? Would love some ideas!

I have a 2.5 year old and due with DC2 in Feb. I've been talking to her about the new baby and that there's a baby in mummy's tummy. I've shown her the scan photos and she knows his name, but I don't think she really understands yet. I've heard a tip about getting your DC to buy the new baby a present and to get them a present from the new baby.

I've also seen a tip about when your DC meets the new baby for the first time that it might help if the baby is in a bassinet/Moses basket/neutral place and not in mummy/daddy's arms. I'm not sure of the science behind that tip but it may be worth considering.

I've also read something about treating them the same, so if your DC acts out and is told off or corrected, you correct the new baby too. E.G. "we don't hit the new baby X", "new baby, you need to be gentle too". I guess that it's making the playing field level and not allowing your older DC to think they're being pushed out in favour of the new baby.

My oldest is nearly 3 and my second was born when we were in a strict local lockdown - she went to her GPs for a couple of days (they covered childcare for midwife appointments) in the weeks leading up to birth and an overnight beforehand so she could get used to being with them again. Not strictly speaking in the rules at that time (they were also doing childcare for their other GC) but we thought it was unlikely we'd get a fine for that.

We had a couple of books that we read to her about the baby too and made sure she knew that babies cried a lot, slept a lot and were boring until they are big enough to play. While it's not been seamless it's been better than I expected - DD2 probably doesn't get enough attention on days when I've got both of them though and I'm very grateful that nurseries have remained open!