In preparation for the arrival of baby number two, I ordered these books for Ava and I to read together. Ava absolutely loves them, especially ‘I’m a Big Sister’ which she took to bed with her the first few nights after getting it. It’s my favourite too as it talks about why a new baby might cry a lot, why you must be gentle with a baby and how a big sister is very special to mummy and daddy, even with the arrival of a baby brother or sister.
I’ve read that it’s really important to talk to your kids about how they might feel when a new baby arrives. (I’ve since learnt at a parenting course this is called emotion coaching, but more about that in another post). Kids might be very excited about the arrival of a new brother or sister, but once the baby arrives they might also experience frustration, sadness and a range of other emotions which could be very confusing and overwhelming for them.
Top L-R: Mummy Mummy, What’s In Your Tummy? / I’m A Big Sister (I’m A Big Brother Version Here)
Bottom L – R: Best Ever Big Sister / My New Baby
I’ve also had some other great advice about preparing your child / children for the arrival of a new baby including:
- Organising a special gift for your child from the new baby
- Teaching your child to wait when they ask for something, as they’ll often have to wait for things after the baby arrives
- Having a box of special toys, books, stickers for when you’re feeding the baby
I’m also planning a couple of special outings with Ava before the bubba arrives. I’m starting to feel quite sentimental about our ‘Ava and Mummy’ time together before baby number two arrives. In six weeks there’ll be another little person in our lives!
If you have any advice for this Mumma of one who is about to become a Mumma of two, I’d love to hear it!
A x x x
What’s the best advice you’ve been given on having your second child? (or third or fourth!)
What did you find tricky / challenging about going from one to two or more children?
What did you find surprisingly easy? (Please tell me there’s something!)
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HI Amy love reading your blogs-especially the one the other day about “being real”. We are running a fundraiser this year with all proceeds going to PMH and were hoping you could mention it for us. The fundraiser is “Row for Isla” and is in honor of our little girl who passed away in 2010 at PMH. The first year we ran this we raised $25,000 for Telethon so we would love for this years to be as successful. Our page link is below. Thanks heaps and good luck with your new bub! xxx
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Row-For-Isla/467771653292299
Hi Gemma, I’m so sorry to hear about your darling Isla. I’ll pop a link up on my FB page – well done on raising such an amazing amount for Telethon! A x x
Thankyou Amy that would be wonderful!! xxx
My advice…..enjoy it! You know what you are in for with number 2, so I made a real effort to not sweat the small stuff and enjoy the newborn stage. I don’t know about you, but for me, being organised helps me to be calmer. If I can have a shower, get dressed into something decent, bit of mascara and gloss, hair near, I could deal with 2 kids alot better. I still find that approach works for me and my kids are 4 and 7 years old. Good luck, you will do a fabulous job, as the.saying goes “keep calm and carry on” x
Great advice Amy – yes, being organised definitely helps me to feel calm too! A friend of mine with grown up kids told me to always find ten minutes to shower, get dressed and pop a bit of make up on – it really does make you feel so much better!! Thanks so much for sharing your tips with me 🙂 x x
Hair neat….auto correct lol
I got REALLY emotional in the week Mia was born … So many instances of ‘this is the last time it will just be the three of us’
The big thing from the first week of Mia being home was finding out all the things Jaden thought he would be able to do (feed her, bath her, take her to daycare) … And having to see his disappointment! But once he figured out he couldn’t really take her anywhere or do anything with her, he moved on pretty quickly 🙂
Kelly Exeter recently posted…How to free yourself of expectations, an interview with Valerie Khoo
Yes I can see that happening to me too, I’ve already had a few moments 🙂 I bet Ava will think she can ‘help’ with the baby too, will be an interesting few weeks after the baby is born, I’m sure!! x x
Hi Amy, how exciting to be nearing the end of the line!
I dont know if this is advice or just plain common sense, but DO NOT leave hospital until your milk comes in. I was feeling really lonely in hospital after having my second, being a week before Christmas and all, and so I came home after 2 days. That night my milk came in and holy moly, I could have done with a midwife to reassure me that everything was OK. I totally forgot how it shocks their system when it happens.
We had a present for our toddler ‘from the baby’ and that worked really well (he got a pack of Smarties) and we never had an issue with jealousy – although we had a huge issue with eye poking (!) Thankfully it didn’t last for long and now my two are best of friends. Watching your two children play together is one of life’s true blessings, one which you will have all too soon xx
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Thanks so much for the advice Em, I was thinking that I’d want to come home a bit earlier this time round – so that’s great advice. I’m not sure whether it will all feel very familiar and natural this time round, or if I would have forgotten everything! So lovely to hear that your two are the best of friends 🙂 x x
These books look amazing. Even though it was 18 years ago I also had a present for my toddler from the baby and to make my 18 month old feel proud and included he also had a little present to give baby as a welcome gift.
I also had a special area that was for my toddler while I fed baby and I had ready-made snacks that were special for those times. May I throw a few suggestions in the pot and I’m sure you’ll have plenty of great ones already.
* Put your phone away out of sight and to silent during feeds so that you relax and your attention is totally on your two..and yourself!
* Have a small ‘surprise’ bag of tricks tucked down the side of your feed chair for those moments when Ava decides that she wants your attention NOW, while baby is part way through a feed. Small interesting items like new child beads, shiny pretties, a slinky, a party blower (minus the whistle!). Keep a stash hidden. Later if she tires of them collect them and resubmit them to the stash for another round.
*Schedule date nights at least once a month even if they are just an hour to start, it’s a precious hour for both of you.
There, just a few 🙂
How exciting, it won’t be long now.
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Really great practical advice Jules – thanks so much, especially having snacks ready to go as Ava is always hungry and asking for ‘fruit platter’ or ‘cheese and biccies’ 🙂 x x