A new baby is an exciting addition to the family, but it can be tough for your toddler to make the transition from baby to big sister. Help her embrace her new role as big sister by reading books together about new babies, giving her a clear picture of what the first few months with a new brother or sister will be like and choosing a big sister gift that will help her remember how special she is.
Memory Book
Your toddler will probably ask plenty of questions about what she was like during her own baby days, so she'll treasure a book of photos and memories that shows her a record of her birth and babyhood. Choose pictures that show your toddler's baby milestones and spend time talking to her about the things you remember from when she was a baby.
Little Mommy Supplies
Choose a special doll for your toddler, and equip her with the same supplies you'll need for the new baby: diapers, bottles, baby clothes, a diaper bag and other essentials. Your toddler can learn how to care for the new baby with her doll: Show her how to change a diaper, how to gently hold a baby and how to feed her doll. You can also use the doll to role-play different scenarios, like a baby who won't stop crying or one who needs a lot of attention, so your toddler can start to anticipate situations that might arise with the new baby.
One-on-One Time
One of the hardest adjustments for a toddler to make when a new sibling arrives is losing Mom and Dad's undivided attention. Give your child a book of special coupons that she can cash in for a baby-free hour with one of her parents. You can be specific--a trip to the ice cream parlor, a game of soccer in the backyard or story time--or you can just make "me-time" coupons that you can redeem for your child based on what kind of day you're having.
Personalized Big Sister Gear
Toddlers may surprise you by how excited they are about the idea of being a big sister, so celebrate their enthusiasm with a big sister gift that lauds their new status. Consider a "World's Greatest Big Sister" T-shirt for her to wear or a "Best Big Sister" picture frame for her bookcase. A simple "I'm the big sister" button for her shirt will be enough to make her grin and give her big sister bragging rights when she's out with the new baby.
