what is the best way to introduce a two year old to a new sibling?

Answer 1

What I did with my oldest son when my youngest son was born, was I gave him a present from "his baby brother" to congratulate him on being the best big brother ever! .. Don't be alarmed if he want's nothing to do with the new baby at first, my son didnt want much to do with his brother until he started moving about. Good Luck :) and congratulations. You could also read him books on bringing home a new baby. There are lots of good ones out there. try your library. Make it an exciting event, try to include him in everything, make him feel needed, like taking a diaper to the garbage, or helping sooth the baby.

Answer 2

It is best to introduce the 2 year old to the "idea" of having a new sibling as early as possible within reason. The best time to do this is during the pregnancy when the mom is obviously showing. Be sure not to tell the 2 year old too early because their perception of time is not fully developed. But, I am sure you know that they hate to wait.
You may also want to refer to him/her as "big sister/brother". This lets them know that they play an important role in their siblings life. I found this to be helpful.
Have the toddler be present right after the birth and take pictures if the two of them together.
Another cute idea is to present the older child with a gift or cake from the baby to mark the birth and to prevent jealousy.
Congrats

Answer 3

I bought my son a doll before I gave birth to my second son. We played with it together and i'd say "aww nice baby. Do you want to cuddle baby?" Then he'd hug the doll. I showed him how to stroke the dolls head very gently. By the time my second don came along, he was used to the idea of kissing baby and being gentle. Also get them involved and let them help. i'd ask my son to fetch a nappy for me and he loved feeling so grown up. Sometimes i'd let him hold the bottle in the baby's mouth and I'd let him rub baby's back when he needed burped. Research says this is a good age gap to have between children as it's not so traumatic for them. Your little one will love having a playmate around and you'll find your second child will reach targets early as they have someone to mimic.

Answer 4

Now. the quicker the greater beneficial. you may commence signing "it's time to alter your diaper" and "you have chose some milk" and different gadgets interior the atmosphere, as nicely as signing around your new child. it incredibly is how language is located out, in spite of each thing - with the aid of exposure. you may assume to work out first indications go searching 5-8 months previous, in all probability older. do not assume sign production to be appropriate, only like listening to infants do not consistently have all the speech sounds latest Deaf and listening to infants that sign do not consistently produce indications a hundred% the style you do. it is going to are available time as their nice motor qualifications strengthen. and unlike what the different poster stated - you do not might desire to communicate collectively as signing. it incredibly is blending the two languages (additionally commonplace as Sim-Com). employing one language at a time is superb and while you're consistently talking they won't inevitably learn the signed vocabulary. the two receptive and expressive qualifications are substantial.

Answer 5

Buy a new baby doll for him/her to have when your baby comes home from the hospital... make sure the doll is from the new baby for your 1st child. (husband may question son about having a doll, just buy one dressed as boy, and tell him it helps him learn to be nurturing, loving, and gentle)
Allow him/her to help with your new baby as much as possible.
And no matter what sit with your first born everyday at least half hour (I broke it up into two 15 minutes parts), without the baby in your lap/arms, to play with and talk to him/her.... aside from bed/reading time.
Good Luck

Answer 6

i dont know about a 2 year old but i had a 11 month old when i had my 2nd baby and all i did was make sure he didnt feel neglected, there will be some selfish times and some times that he/she thinks they can hurt the baby but just show them calmly but firmly that they cant do that and that its better to use gentle touches, those are my words with my now 15 month old...GENTLE TOUCHES anytime he is trying to touch our 4 month old...and praising him for doing it gently makes him that much happier with the baby

Answer 7

let him meet the sibling right after the baby is born. if they cry then calm them down. other than that, just let them live together and meet eachother, but give each baby equal attention.

Answer 8

If the baby isn't born yet, start preparing him. Let him "help" you pick out things for the baby - clothes, washcloths, etc. (Ask him if he thinks the baby would like it.) Let him meet the baby as soon as possible.

Answer 9

Tell the two year old if he doesn't get along that you'll kill him.