Present from the baby for older sibling Post Reply

[LuluDaffodil]

Hi everyone,

I am pregnant with my second child. My eldest will be just over 2 years old by the time I give birth.

I have read a blog that suggests buying a gift from the baby to the older child when the baby is born.

I was wondering if people could share their experience when having other children and what they found was a good gift for their first born. Does it need to be substantial so that the parents are seen to make a big fuss over the eldest child even though there's another baby to share the parents' attention with? Or just a little something as a symbolic gesture? Should I buy them a baby related / pretend play gift, etc....?

I would love some advice and anecdotes on what people have done and recommend buying. My eldest is a girl.

Thanks in advance !

[Nev123]

I did the same when my second was born. My first received a puzzle from his new baby sister. To be completely honest I'm not sure if it made an enormous difference but it certainly can't hurt. I don't think there's any need to get anything too major. Just something you think your daughter will like. Hopefully you'll be surprised by how accepting your daughter is. My son, just under two when his sister was born, took remarkably little notice of her when she turned up!

Good luck. Nothing more magical than seeing your children together as they grow.

[lifechanger]

We also bought a present from the baby to her older sister. It was an oversized jellycat bunny which she absolutely loves and it did seem to help. The adjustment to having an additional person in the house seemed to go smoothly for us, although we gave (and still give) the eldest loads of special attention (mind you the baby is only 7 months so in a sense all relatively new still).

[LuluDaffodil]

Thanks both for the advice. I was thinking of giving her a doll and accessories like mini nappy, potty, bottle etc so she could do the same as mummy with her dolly - but wondering if I should give her something that's non baby related to make it more special /separate.

Thanks !

[LittleMissSunshine]

We also gave the older one(s) - we now have four kids - always a present from the new sibling. It was something they liked playing with at that moment (a dump truck, play doh, Sylvanian family, puzzle, Playmobil). I don't think it really matters what you give, it's more a nice thing to do generally. Good luck with the new addition to the family.

[Mellomumma]

It worked for us both times (we have 3 now).
It doesn't have to be something extravagant and actually I think the toy baby idea is a good one as both mine have benefitted from a bit of role play with their dollies when I have been feeding or changing nappies. Also the role play can help teach them to be gentle as they do love their baby brother or sister but often are a bit heavy handed with the love. (E.g showing them how to hold their baby, cuddle their baby etc) We also use the special toy as a means to keep them occupied whilst I am breastfeeding being that they get their special toys out to play with. exciting times, good luck!

[LuluDaffodil]

Brilliant thanks! Yes, I was hoping a bit of role play might make her feel involved in the new baby.

Thanks very much for all the responses - much appreciated!!!

Hopefully she will take to the new baby well!