18 months between DS1 and DC2.... is it possible to prepare DS1 or is he too young?

[lilimama]

Apart from talking generally about "baby" etc? He's only 12 months now and obviously not talking and is infact still a baby himself. Anyone have experience of preparing DC's for subsequent siblings when the age gap is not so large. In fact, any tips or experience welcome such as was there more or less jealousy etc.

Many thanks

I had 19 months between ds1 and ds2 (and going to have 18 mo between ds2 and dc3) we were given this book and its lovely, only pictures and no story so you can just talk about whats happening on each page and make it relevant to you, we also looked at photos of ds1 as a baby which he found fansinating and talked about new baby, I think pictures give them something to relate to.

To be honest I remember only doing this v late on prob about the same time we were setting up the spare room for ds2 as I thought actually having baby stuff around might make him understand that something was happening.

We also made sure that he was ok about staying at my mum and dads as they would have him when I was in labour and he needed to go at moments notice with out getting freaked out - I think that was actually the most important thing to me, I remember on the day he grinned and waved as he left which was lovely.

hth and good luck (brilliant age gap to have )

I'm trying to do the same thing at the mo lilimama - got a 17 month old and am 37 weeks.

She doesnt really get it I don't think, she def doesnt get the baby in mummys tummy thing. We have put the baby's crib up now and have the double buggy and tell her how its for her and her baby brother but we'll see!

We bought her a baby doll for Christmas and she loves it though - pretending to give it a bottle and put it in bed and cuddle it and all that. She does however carry it around by its head!

Could be worse, my daughter had a baby doll last year that laughs when you press its tummy. Since she got a new one this year she puts the laughing one on the floor and stamps on it. "I'm just playing Mummy"

I had 14 mths between my dds and there was no way of preparing her as such but when dd2 was born she liked to have a cuddle and kiss her head which was really sweet and when dd2 was crying she would sit with her arm around her and pat her back it was really lovely! Dd1 was never upset or jealous of her baby sister.

Just try to include your ds so he feels part of looking after baby,i used to let dd1 help dress dd2(try and put on scratch mitts etc)and she would put nappy sack in the bin and things like that.