Prepping daughter for baby number 2

[nkrumpfer]

So my daughter is 16 months now and I would like to say goodbye to the binky, crib, and bottle completely and have her familiar with the potty by the time we have our second child. Now only problem is we only have 4 months to do all these things.

My husband gave her back the bottle in a lost teething battle and I'm finding it hard to get rid of the morning bottle again.

I really don't want there to be jealousy issues over binky, bottles, cribs, etc. But I feel that if i let it slide she'll be 3 or 4 by the time we say bye bye to everything.

Any suggestions??

[brandie1127]

There are some really good books for little ones entitled - "I'm the BEST big sister" or "brother", "Mommys having another baby!" etc. A friend of mine used them and they helped to bring up the subject. I only have 1 but I know in my family they turn the older one into mommys special helper to disolve jealousy. I don't know if that would work with how young the older one will be but you can try ... theres lots of moms with 2 or more close in age I'm surprised noone has responded to you yet.

[craftyashley]

So my daughter is 16 months now and I would like to say goodbye to the binky, crib, and bottle completely and have her familiar with the potty by the time we have our second child.

Ok wow, that might be too many changes in 4 mos. to make any of them stick or work very well. Perhaps pick the most important one and work on that until baby arrives. There is a good chance she'll slide back into babydom anyway when #2 comes home. Not to sound too pessimistic, but you are really asking a bit much of a 16 mo. old.

[JMJ10]

I agree that is a bit much. I never did any major changes 3 months before the baby was due. Most of the time if they where that old or older they would go back to acting like a baby for a little while anyways. I would not stress about things at this time and enjoy your little girl but then I might be to relaxed about some things.

[freckles]

You need the crib for the new baby right? Hold off on moving your oldest to a todd bed if you have a bassinetor play pen, for a few more months anyhow.

Well, transitioning to a sippy should be the easiest, but maybe I am wrong because I exclusively BF. Perhaps you can let her pick out the pretty ones at the store.

I started potty training when my kids showed interest. This was usually around age 2. You can relax.

I would not worry about the binky. I am one of those who let my kids decide when to quit comforting things. I let my dd suck her fingers and I did not care who saw. But you can find creative ways to get rid of it. Tie it to a balloon and say bye-bye. Give it away to, um, Elmo. Put it in an envelope and mail it to Elmo. Will your baby comprehend this? Ask her if she wants to give it to the new baby. Congratulations on your new bundle!

[nkrumpfer]

Thanks for the help. I probably should have included a bit on what my daughter is like now since every kid is different at 16 months old.

She takes a morning bottle which she seems very dependent on and also seems like it'd be the hardest task right now. The rest of the day she is on the cup.

She takes a binky to go to bed. My friend said bye bye binky by cutting the tip of the binky off and her daughter carried it around or chewed on it instead of sucking and then after a week forgot she ever used it. Might try that!

I will be using a bassinet for as long as possible and will probably buy another crib regardless because my daughter has a lifetime crib.

She is also very interested in the bathroom. Since I'm pregnant I use the bathroom alot and my daughter joins me. She sits on her little toilet, wipes, flushes, and washes her hands now. Unfortuantely number 1's and 2's are still done in her diaper, which I expect from a 16month old.

I'm really just worried that if I don't start attempting to do something now and I wait to do it until after the baby is born it will be even harder. I do not expect bringing another baby home to be easy for my daughter and I'd really like to not have to worry about stressing her out anymore than she already will be. Think about it. In the next few months she will have to wait to be picked up, she will have to wait for a bottle, then eventually she will be sharing her bedroom and her toys. Sounds like alot to handle when you're only 3 feet tall.

[cay8099]

That is alot to handle for any child making the transition to big sibling. The best thing you can do is include her in the pregnancy. Take her to Dr. appt to hear the heart beat. Take her to an ultrasound to see the baby in mommy's belly. Let her help get things ready. Let her pick out a special baby item for her little sibling. If you know anyone with a newborn try inviting that person over will help.