How do you make your DC1 feel as special as your newborn? Share with Fairy Non Bio for chance to win £300 voucher NOW CLOSED

[JustineBMumsnet]

Fairy Non Bio is sponsoring the Mumsnet Talk App, and in light of this, they’d like you to talk about your experience of making your DC1 feel special after you bring your newborn home.

Bringing a new baby into the world is always special but, when it’s your second bundle-of-joy, it’s possible that your DC1 will feel left out. Fairy Non Bio would like to hear about the ways that you’ve ensured your child continues to feel special following the arrival of their little brother or sister. Maybe you set aside a weekly block of one-on-one time with them? Perhaps you let them have some responsibility when looking after the baby, so they can feel like they’re involved? If there’s anything you do to make sure your DC1 knows they’re just as special to you as your newborn, share with Fairy Non Bio below.

If you avidly check out Mumsnet's talk boards, you should download the app for yourself. It's free, and allows you to be part of the conversation wherever you are!

All who post on the thread will be entered into a prize draw where one MNer will win a £300 Love2Shop voucher.

Thanks and good luck!

MNHQ

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My daughter doesn't seem to be bothered that her baby sister gets more attention. She loves her to bits : )

the babies gave their big brother a present and we made sure he was involved with helping and got special one on one time.

Lots of chats beforehand and cuddles after

There's only 21 months between my two, so it was never much of an issue, but I let my eldest choose the clothes for the baby (which was interesting at times) and he always called him "my baby" and was very protective of him. It soon becomes normal

When dc1 arrived to visit in hospital for the first time, I made sure dc2 was in his cot so my arms were free to hug dc1. Also had a present wrapped up 'from" dc2 ready to give dc1 - my mum had already taken dc1 to buy a present for dc2 as a surprise - dc1 loved choosing things for people anyway and was v excited to be giving a present.

DH did a lot of one to one things with dc1 but also sometimes made a point of looking after dc2 so dc1 and I could have some special time together. I always used this time to do something really nice - even if this was just snuggling down in the big bed and wTching Disney films - not any household chores et,c

I have 4 children but I think it is going from having DC1 and expecting a new baby that worried me most beforehand as I loved my daughter so much I didn't want her to feel any less loved with a new baby on the scene. DD1 was 2 years and 1 month when DS1 was born. At the time, she loved hearing Topsy and Tim stories and so we had bought her the Topsy and Tim book that featured a friend having a new baby to read before DS1 arrived. Then, when DS1 arrived, "he" bought her a few more of the Topsy and Tim stories, a baby doll and a jigsaw. These gifts were invaluable as the puzzle and books were ideal for sharing with DD1 when I was breast-feeding and she took "her" new baby everywhere and, if I was feeding DS1, she would feed her baby, similarly she would bath her doll in the sink, whilst I bathed DS1. Also, when possible, I would make sure I took DD1 out, whilst DS1 was left at home with DH. By making sure DD1 didn't lack attention, she was always very loving towards her brother and subsequent DD2 and DD3 and she never doubted our love for her.

I've prepared my Ds1 to welcoming a new baby and from the beginning I've involved in almost every task connected with taking care and sharing some responsibilities. The role of older sibling is very important to keep close connection in family.

I only have one child but when meeting a friend's newborn who has an older sibling I always ask the sibling about their new baby and ask them to introduce me. I compliment them on their big brothering or big sistering. They always seem so proud to show off their new baby

We have got three sons aged 15, 13 & 5. When I was pregnant with our second we included DC 1 wherever we could. We decided to find out the sex & named them, anything to help the bond. We also bought a toy for DC 1 as a present from the new baby when he was born. Non of this was anot issue with DC 3 as the two older boys were absolutely ecstatic to find out i was expecting again. All of our boys are very close & have had no problems with sibling jealousy ❤

I think I'm failing to do a good job of this at the moment . However I am trying to set aside time just for the two of us when we can, when DC1 gets to choose what we do and I try to avoid saying no and just go with the flow. I'm breastfeeding a 3m old at the mo so we don't get big chunks of time alone together but even half an hour of my full attention seems to be a treat.

Thank you everyone for your posts - @tabbaz123 is the winner of the prize draw