How do I prepare ds1 for new baby?

[Jimjams]

OK - ds1's interesting behaviour over the last week or so has focussed my mind. How on earth am I going to prepare him for a arrival of number 3? DS2's easy we talk about it - no problems.

DS1 I'm stuck. He reacted terribly to ds2's arrival- became very depressed and regressed- would really like to avoid that this time. We talked to him about it then bu he really had no idea ds2 was coming. His language really hasn't improved much in the last 3 years so I don't think talking would help. Maybe a simple book with symbols????

Aaaaghhhhh Help!

when are you due jimjams? >nosey<

I dont really know what to suggest, when we had ds dd was only 22 months so had no concept really and wasnt a problem at all. Does ds1 'like' babies now? or are they just an annoyance? I dont know of any books with symbols in, but Im sure someone on here will

Get yourself a Baby Annabel! Seriously, I had one that I carried around and freaked DH out! DS paid no attention to it (mind you, I didn't put the batteries in). Also had "Baby Care" books around rather than kids' story books. At the end of the day, we decided there was nothing that could really prepare him as he didn't know what a baby was so it was all abstract, may not be the same for you as you have DS2. Bottle feeding number 2 was an absolute godsend as far as DS was concerned as it meant he didn't identify the new intruder with ME only and he got plenty of my attention and we could do things on our own again very quickly. Somehow he has just accepted her, don't ask me how. At worst he'll ignore her or leave the room to get away and often he will smile at her and let her touch him and is usually very tolerant of her. For us we not only had the problem of DS having autism but having been an only child for 7.5 years! I don't think you should stress about it too much but maybe try a few things. I could lend you Baby Annabel if you like!

What a dilemma - we are not sure how to broach this with dd either... we have lots of baby dolls she was given for her birthday so I talk about her babies.... we talk about 'our' baby and let her stroke my belly - she usually ends up patting it - a little too hard but oh well. I really don't know what else to do - although thought I would start using signs for baby etc when also talking about the babe. I am more worried about what dd will do when I am in hospital... depending on how long I stay in ..whether it is a caesar or not - 5 days maximum though. She has just had me at home with her all day and then her dad... my mum is okay with her but not on a full day basis....

My sil and niece are visiting at the moment and so I have taken to cuddling Sienna and holding her whilst sil is doing things and dd just smiles at her and me and then wants to pat her then goes away and gets on with whatever she is doing. No doubt it will be different story when the little babe is here 24/7.

I am contemplating bottle feeding no2 .... dd was ng tube and then bottle fed... thinking it will not tie me to the baby exclusively iykwim... just something dh and I are discussing.

I think using a book with symbols is a good idea... just to get the idea in his head - as you said he had no idea no2 was coming - perhaps the symbols will reinforce that someone is arriving....

sorry I can't be much help.