Any ideas on preparing a toddler for the new baby?

He sounds like a sweet little guy! It's natural for little ones to love babies. He'll reflect what he sees in you.. When you get him a toy to give to the baby, maybe get one for him too, as it's hard for them to give things without wanting to take them back. I never had any trouble with my firstborn (boy) when I had my daughter when he was about the same age as your little boy. Except the first time he say me nursing her he cried just a tiny bit, a surprised little cry and tried to move her head away.. I think it scared him! Baby usually sleeps so much at first, that it gives the little one time to get used to them and to sharing mom.. If he still gets good close and quality time with you he'll be more than happy with the new baby you share. I always made it sound like we were taking care of the baby a bit together. Best of Luck!! :))

I don't have much advice, but what I think I would try is having your son talk to your belly and feel the baby kick, and tell him that soon the baby will come out. My mom would call my little brother 'your baby' when I was little, which kind of gave me the idea that he WAS mine, and so I treated him that way and always looked out for him. I would stress the importance and coolness of being a 'big brother'. Overall, though, I think beyond the initial adjustment period, he will do fine. I have pictures of my older brother holding me as an infant (he was two) and he is just smiling at me like he's in love. That all went away soon enough once I was old enough for him to have to share toys and things, but initially he loved me! Good luck with your son!

I think you are doing the right steps already. The toddler may not understand exactly, but allowing him to touch your belly and explaining in simple terms when he has questions is best. I am sure they will get along very well - they have a really cool mom like you! :)

I would sugggest to have your baby "give" a gift to your son. Buy him something and then when the baby comes out say it is from him. Here is a website with some advice http://www.askdrsears.com/html/1/t010504.asp Also let your son feel the baby move and once the baby is born let him help you as much as possible, like getting diapers, or picking out clothes.

My oldest (who was 4 at the time) was at the birth of my daughter. We had him attend a siblings preperation class offered by the hospital I was birthing at. It helped immensely. Blatant self-promotion here. If your midwife doesn't know of any programs like that, feel free to drop me an email cas_eden@yahoo.com I am a student midwife and child birth educator (still in school) I intend to put together a siblings preparation class soon. I could email you the materials I intend to use, if you'd be willing to let me know if they were helpful for you.

wow! we are in the same boat!! my son will be either 17 or 18 months old when the new baby is born, depending on when baby decides to pop out. i am also concerned about how to prepare my son. right now, i just show him my belly and keep telling him "baby". like your son, mine likes to lift my shirt and say "baby" but i am not sure if he really understands what is going on. i purposly have him put his hand on my belly when the baby is moving. he gets scared when he is leaning on me and the baby kicks him.lol. but this is what i am doing, and i dont know if its actually preparing him...i have a new nephew (about 4 months old) and whenever i saw him or do see him, i hold him and give him a bottle. i do it in front of my son so he can see what i am doing. i bend down while i am carying the baby and tell him "look at the baby". he smiles and walks away. he doesnt seem to be jelouse at this point, but i also wonder if its becuase he knows that the baby is not going to stay with us. i hope things work out for the both of us!!

I have 6 children. The space between them ranges from 2 years 7 months to just over 18 months. Your son is little enough he won't "get it" until the baby is actually born but you're doing a great job getting him ready for that. You've been given a lot of really good advice by everyone else so I won't waste time repeating it all. The only thing I'd add is to make sure your husband starts taking over some of the basics with your son. If you are always the one to dress, feed, and bathe him, he might get upset if you can't because you're busy with the baby. But if he is used to daddy doing those things a lot then it won't seem like a big deal to him, he'll just think it's daddy's turn instead of blaming you or the baby. My two youngest boys are just over 18 months apart. It really isn't too hard. Little E likes to watch Baby but he's too busy doing his big boy things to interact with him much yet. He was even scared of Baby at first. Sure there are moments when I could use 3 extra hands because Little E wants something at the same time Baby needs something and doesn't understand he needs to wait but it all works out in the end. At that age distraction still works really well so if I really can't do what he wants I can usually keep him distracted long enough to finish up with Baby. Good Luck with your little ones!

I had a 2 year old when I was pregnant with my second, I just talked about it and There is a Sesame street movie about the little bear who has a baby sister, show them those movies and watch them with him and tell him what is going on and that he will have that too. And then when the new baby comes, let him get you diapers fo rthe new baby, and help you pick out the clothes for the new baby, just involve him as much as possible and make him feel like a big help, and praise him a lot when he does it. I did all of this with my son and he is very very wonderful with my daughter, never ever has he been mean, or uncaring towards her. He loves her and is very protective and understanding about her. Just involve him as much as possible and let him realize she is a part of the family and not taking his place and he will be very accepting.

I have 4 kids but for the life of me, I can't recall how I prepared them. I know we talked about it a lot. We went "baby watching" at the stores and so on. Other new mommies were always willing to let my kids see their little one. Since my first 3 were boys, they played with my dolls when I was little. They got to hold and learn to hold a baby. My third took "care" of his baby when his sister was born. Do you think this would work for your son? Good Luck and Congrats on the soon to be new baby.