Older brother being at the homebirth (2.5 years old) with his own support person there to help him out worked for us. There was no “transition” really for him – he knew that the baby was the same one that was in me and wasn’t going anywhere. He flew down the hallway (he’d chosen not to be in the crowded room for the birth) when he heard the baby cry screaming “MY BABY! YAY!”.

Also, wearing the baby as much as possible. When I had baby in a sling he could be nursing, sleeping, whatever and was quiet and close to me while I played with his brother with no interruptions. Baby got the closeness he needed and big brother didn’t notice much of a change at all.

Aw Nicole that is such a sweet story!

I really agree with the transitions ideas. We learned the hard way not to get the older child out of the crib and in to a “big boy” bed. He was all for it until a few weeks later when the little “intruder” was in his old crib. He proceeded to throw a fit and demand the baby get out of his “bed”. It took awhile and more than a few nights of tears and screaming before he accepted that was the way things were going to happen. So definitely wait until things settle if you can (ie new baby is in a cradle or bassinet for the time being) before introducing the big boy/girl bed.

Also everybody who brought a gift for the baby remembered Corey also and that seemed to make him very happy.

Nicole, that is such a sweet story!

With all my respect, but isn’t it a little bit pretentious to title this post
“Advice for Gwen and Gavin” and then writing ” they’ll need help” and “we consulted baby care experts”?
I know that this post was certainly meant as a general advice for parents who have to introduce a new sibling to their kids and as a thread to discuss one’s different experiences, which i much appreciate, but still…the introduction reads like “CBB knows best, Gwen and Gavin you just listen”.
Hm, maybe i’m just nit-picking.

I agree with the gift as well. I had read something somewhere while I was pregnant about giving the older child a present from the baby.

I just gave birth on 7-29. My son is 2.5 years old. We gave him a “Wonder Pets” flyboat “from his brother” a few minutes after their first meeting. He thinks his baby brother bought it for him. After he got over the initial excitement of his new present, he ran over to the bed (where I was holding the baby) and screamed, “Thanks, Evan!” My husband got that on video, Thank God! It was SO cute!!

The comment made about the gift is too true. we gave our daughter a doll when i was heavily pregnant so that she would feel like a mom with me. it helped to keep her at ease with the whole situation.

I have said this before but congratulations to Gwen, Gavin and Kingston on the arrival of baby Zuma!