I've just been thinking lately about how Payton is going to react to having a new baby around. We talk about 'our' baby and how it is going to eat and sleep, etc, how he can help me take care of him and so on. He gets happy when we talk about it, he even puts his bear that he is so attached to up to my belly for the baby and talks to it and blows him kisses. He is very affectionate. He loves babies and is very gentle with them. He's been around little babies quite a bit at church and he has 2 cousins that are younger than him that he sees pretty often. This all makes me think that he will adjust just fine, I'm actually not to 'worried' about it just something I think about and pray for. I just have a peace about it.

Anyways, my question is, what did, or didn't you do that you wished you had, to help your first born adjust to the new baby?

Aww I bet Payton will adjust just fine Jessy. You are a great mama that way. My kids were all about 3 years apart until my last 2 that are 2 years apart. And all handled it well just all differently.

After baby was born. The best thing I did is when big brother or brothers came to visit me and new baby in the hospital I bought a small gift for the "big" boy(s) in the house. Just something special and sweet and to make the experience a good one. It worked every time. The kids loved it. My baby days were quite a while ago but I really remember this working out well for me.

Happy sigh I vividly remember bringing baby home each time and I remember loving each and every one brought home and no problems adjusting with any of them. Just a loving and nurturing home like you have Jessy is just so great and important for little ones. No matter what you'll do fine with prayer. (I won't talk about my colicy baby, now those memories are not quite so pleasant, but that wasn't the topic now was it, lol)

Wohoo I can't believe you are almost in week 27.

We did the little gift thing too. Tho only other thing I'd add is to make sure, after you bring the baby home, that you give Payton some one-on-one Mommt time every day. Just make it a special time for the two of you while the baby is napping. Read a story, color, have a snack, just something for him. That way he knows you still love him too, and that he is important.:-D

I'm glad you asked this, Jessy. It is something that has been on my heart lately, too. I hope you don't mind me asking if anyone has come across any great books that help with discussions about the new baby coming? I've been thinking about starting to read some books like that once we get into the 2nd trimester but have no idea which are the best ones.

Jump right in Nmom, doesn't bother me a bit! :)

Renee, thanks for the kind, encouraging words! :) Makes my heart smile! What a great idea about a gift for Payton, will mention it to dh and have him help me come up with something special! That way he won't feel so left out.

Jen, definitely going to do my best to devote special time to Payton each day, I can see where that is important, thanks for that thought! We've also talked about doing regular mommy and me and daddy and me days with him.

Thanks so much for the great advice gals!

I think that Payton will do great! My daughter's sibling transition was smooth, she LOVES her baby brother! I don't really have any tips to add, just wanted to encourage you that it will probably go fine.

Emma had been an "only child" for almost three years when Helen was finally born. She and I went from living with my parents (I was a single mom) where she was cooooooooonstantly spoiled with attention and such, to living with my husband. She didn't NOT get attention, but it certainly is different going from living with your grandparents to living with your *parents*. Ya know? Anyway, with that background now before you.... let me just say... that we did similar to what you're doing. We involved her in the pregnancy. She came to a few of my appointments with me, the ultrasounds, all that stuff. She got to help prepare the crib and all that fun stuff and we talked a *lot* about her being a "big sister" and how AWESOME that was going to be. Also, how AWESOME it was going to be to have someone to finally play with! She loooooooooooved that aspect especially.

Otherwise, we didn't make a big deal out of it. We just let things happen naturally, as we did with each new baby, and haven't had any ordeals with "jealousy" or annnnnnnnything like that. I think children are going to react how you expect them to, maybe? We just expected that Emma would LOVE Helen, and that Helen would love the twins, and that the twins would love Eliya, and so on. So far, just expecting them to love, be gentle, be understanding and such has worked for us.

You are doing a great job preparing him, Gal. He's going to just love his baby brother, and he's going to be an *Awesome* "Big Brother"! :)

with Josh he was 21 months when Sarah was born. the things we did were read him a book about being a big brother (I think it was called "Im a big brother) and told him how mama had a baby in her belly and one day it would pop and then we would have Sarah. It was a little hard for me playing with josh those first few weeks since I had a c-section but I did make sure I gave him extra hugs and kisses. he was always gentle with her but did have some behaviors that we nipped in the bud. I found it hard to discipline josh just because I was trying to make sure he still felt loved. but we found we quickly had to change that thinking because of all the acting up he was doing. Payton will do just fine.