DS upset about prospect of new baby...

[DomesticG0ddess]

Tonight we were reading Topsy and Tim's New Baby book and DS (3.5) got really upset about the baby crying and said he didn't want a baby or a brother. Until now (am 25 weeks), he has only been happy about it. I tried explaining that the baby would not cry all the time, and only when he wanted something because he could not speak, and that little brothers were only babies for a short time and then he would be loads of fun. But it didn't really help and I just had to change the subject with a different book, and he has gone to sleep.

I'm a bit worried that this is going to become a problem. He's a sensitive little soul, and rather thoughtful, and usually if he doesn't like something then that's it for a while! Has anyone had the same thing?

I think alot of kid's feel like this, i have a 7year old son and a 4 year old daughter and my son was 3 when she was born, he would have times where he was excited and times when he wasn't and times when he really didnt care.

I found really helpful was when i packed my hospital bag i bought and wrapped a little present for my son and when he came to see his sister for the first time i said it was from her.

Also when people come round to see the baby they tend to feel really left out as people bring presents for the baby, but i had great friends and family that would bring something reall small just for him.

They get on great now .. well like brothers and sisters do.

Try not to worry kids addapt so well im pregnant with baby number 3 and havent told kids yet till 3 month scan but hope for a good reaction

I read that Topsy & Tim book to my DS, and felt so sorry for the little boy with the new baby sibling...I am a bit pathetic though

I'm in a similar situation - am 26 weeks pregnant with a 2.11 year old, who for the most part is excited/accepting about his baby brother, but also worries that he'll cry a lot.

I've tried to reassure him by reminding him of all the fun things that he can do that poor old baby brother can't - he can eat Penguin biscuits/play with tiny cars/go on the swings at the park etc. and he seems to find this quite comforting.

I'm planning on adopting a sort of "Oh silly baby brother, is he crying again? Let's give him some milk/take him for a walk/give him a cuddle" etc. approach...will let you know in October how it goes!

PS have also told him that baby brother will bring him a present.

DS (3.3) is very excited and talks about the baby as an existing member of the family. But I'm 38 weeks.

We've been spending lots of time talking about how babies can't talk or walk etc and why not. I also got him a book called 'I'm the big brother' which does emphasise the fun stuff a big boy can do that a baby can't! it's a bit naff but ds seems to like it!

BUT I have also avoided talking about it too much and let him bring it up. Now I am so big he is very curious (he is very keen to know how the baby got in and how it got out!!)

Does your ds go to nursery? My nursery has been very good at talking about who in the room has a baby sibling etc and a few of his friends will be getting siblings soon too!

If not, do you know anyone with young babies? DS is intrigued by babies now because he is going to have one soon.

we went on a special little shopping trip with lunch at his favourite restaurant and he bought a bear for the baby. he even held it to my tummy and said 'yes, she definitely likes it'

And yes, we have a present from the baby!

Will all of this work? I'll let you know in a few weeks!!!

Oh, and don't emphasise how much fun the baby will be to play with when he is older - that is a long way off!!

Thanks for your advice. Yes digging we have several friends with new babies at the moment and yesterday his "best" little friend had a baby brother, so maybe it's all a bit much? Although I don't recall him being subjected to any extreme baby crying, it seemed to be the book that triggered it! I think a book about being a big brother as opposed to being about the baby might help.

Ninthwave, I think you must be a bit hormonal at the moment, but you know, DS did keep asking why the little boy looked so sad, and I don't think that helped either!! What is your due date? Mine is 22/10!

xkatyx, am going to buy my friend's little girl something today on that advice! She had a baby brother yesterday.

Oh that's good then - you can play up how lucky his friends are etc and get him used to babies

Topsy & Tim is a bit sad - maybe bin it and get another one - there are loads out there!

When my nephew my niece asked her mum if she 'could put him back in there' - while pointing at my sisters tummy She was fine after a few days and they adore each other and nephew number 2 now.