Need ideas- what should new baby get big brother?

[ryan840]

I'm going to have my sons exchange gifts when they meet for the first time, to make my two year old feel a little more included and comfortable with the whole "bringing baby home" thing. He is going to pick out a "lovie" for the baby, but I can't think of anything for the baby to get him- should it be big brother related, just totally fun and random or something else? I can't decide, help! Thanks!

 

[mtemm]

are you planning on nursing? a lot of people I know swear by having a little basket of toys that the older sibling gets when mom is nursing baby...they are special and make it easier that mom's attention is elsewhere for then. Maybe the baby could get some fun stuff in a basket like that?

 

[ryan840]

are you planning on nursing? a lot of people I know swear by having a little basket of toys that the older sibling gets when mom is nursing baby...they are special and make it easier that mom's attention is elsewhere for then. Maybe the baby could get some fun stuff in a basket like that?

That's something to keep in mind, although I don't know if I could fill a basket (even a small one) with toys my son doesn't already have . Thanks for the suggestion!

 

[Marseeya]

My DS was 4 1/2 when DD was born. We got him a "big brother" shirt, which he proudly wore to pre-school, and we got him something little "from" DD. I think it was a Power Rangers flashlight, since he was into Power Rangers back then.

Worked like a charm!

 

[mickeyboat]

How about some sort of game? Is he old enough for Candyland,yet? You could play together for special mom/dad big-boy time, and the baby can write a note saying how he can't wait until he is big enough to play with him.

Denae

 

[barkley]

i know this has gotten more popular since i had my kids (youngest almost 9), but i just want to share something that has happened to several friends who have done this-

they have had a gift for the sib the day the baby was born, relatives and well meaning friends have brought along a gift for the sib when visiting new baby, guests at baby showers have brought a gift for sib as well....flash forward to the first time/event/occasion centered on new baby and sib does not get a gift (or the number of gifts they previously received)-huge meltdown on sibs part. it's realy hard when you're 2 or 3 or 4 and everything in your memory about the "new baby" has resulted in your receiving a gift-to find that it does'nt keep going that way. no matter how well you try to prepare them for it-it does'nt keep their little minds from thinking that since it's happened every time before...i've had friends who have asked family and friends NOT to bring gifts for sibs with subsequent births and they've felt it helped down the line.

i would suggest something small and sentimental-not something that they've wanted or asked for (i think it needs to focus on the bonding so even with a 3 year old something like a disposable camera and small photo album that they can fill with pictures to share with family and friends).

 

[Daisy Duck 5]

I was thinking about two teddy bears that look the same but are different sizes. That way one bear is the baby and one bear is the big brother. The little boy I babysit has these on his book shelf but the bears are suppost to be him and his mother. I really like the idea from the other poster though about the camera and a photo album. Let him take his own pictures no matter how they turn out they will be cute to look at when they get older.

 

[Sandcass]

I agree, it shouldn't be a toy or anything. Maybe a book about being a big brother, with a note from baby on the inside cover. And a big brother tee is cute. Or get them matching teddy bears - one bigger than the other for the big brother.

I know people who get the older sibling a realistic doll with lots of the baby "stuff" so that while you care for real baby, sibling can care for their doll. I know you have a boy, but I like that idea. There are boy baby dolls out there. And a stroller, swing, bottles, diapers, etc for him to practice taking care of a baby.

(alot of dads would flip if you bought their son a doll, but I run a daycare in my home and I can tell you that the little boys like playing dolls as much as the girl like playing dinosaurs & cars!!!!)

Also, it doesn't matter if you breast or bottle feed, you'll need to think of something to keep your 2 year old busy while you feed baby. I watch a 2 yr old & her new baby sister and during bottle time is the only time the 2 year old gets to watch her favorite video. (the wiggles) It makes her not demand my (or mom's) attention during feedings and keeps her happy.

CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR NEW ADDITION ~ ENJOY!!!!!

 

[zalansky]

We also got my son (who was 2 yrs 9 months older than the baby when she was born) a Big Brother t-shirt and we also got him a toy - something he was REALLY into at the time which I think was a Spiderman toy, and we said the baby brought it for him. The doctor in the hospital gave us that suggestion and it went over great. It didn't last long though, my son is a wonderful big brother but he is still only a little boy himself and all he sees is that he has to share our time now. Almost 5 months later and he still acts out, at times.
Good luck and congratulations on the new addition!

 

[ryan840]

These are all great ideas, thanks!

 

[disykat]

We had the baby give him a toy. At 2 1/2 he actually seemed to "get" that he wasn't getting presents most of the time, the baby was. He just enjoyed the toy for what it was and there were no meltdowns when the baby got presents. An interesting thing to take into account though, depending on your child.

 

[rt2dz]

When DS#2 was born, DS#1 had picked out and gave him his coming home outfit & a small toy. DS#1 got DS#2 a Thomas train. Flash forward two years later and DS#1 still thinks of that train as extra special.

When DS#3 was born, DS#2 gave DS#3 a special blanket and DS#1 gave DS#3 an outfit to wear home that he picked out himself. DS#3 gave each of the older boys a gift certificate to build-a-bear. DS#2 was really too little to get it, but DS#1 loves that animal and tells everyone that his little brother got it for him. Again, something extra special. Now, Mom and Dad got each of the older boys a book and a "big brother" t-shirt.

OT: A great book to get to help prepare your child on life with baby is What to expect when the new baby comes home by Heidi Murkoff. This is an exceptionally good book for preperation, it really deals with all the issues.

 

[Ratpack]

We just did this 2 weeks ago. I made little bags (the fabric kind from WalMart), and painted a child like picture of my son and daughter on them and their names. I filled them with some baby bottle pops, Baby Ruth candy bars, little suckers, small toys or coloring book and crayons, etc. This way, I had something to give them and it kept them entertained while at the hospital visiting.
We also made Big Brother, Big Sister T-shirts with their handprints on them. They wore these to the hospital as well.

Now, before, my daughter went to Build A Bear to make DS a bear. This was very nice. OR you could get a "Cabbage Patch" Boy doll for him to learn how to hold, care for, etc for the new baby.

Good Luck with your delivery. I miss being pregnant already, but am loving DD and being home with her.

 

[lucyanna girl]

When my second son was born, he came home from the hospital with a shiny, red, tricycle for his three year old big brother. My oldest son decided that anyone who came with that kind of gift was OK and would be allowed a few privileges, like holding "his" Mama. Good Luck, life is only going to get better and better.

 

[ryan840]

These are all great ideas, thanks again. Congrats Ratpack, and I totally know how you feel about missing being pregnant already. I was like that with my son and I know that as painful as this pregnancy is and as much as I can't wait for it to be over, I'll miss it as soon as it is because my baby will already have started to grow up.

 

[golfgal]

What about some art supplies that he could use when you are busy with the baby. My oldest could spend hours with construction paper, a pair of scissors and a glue stick when he was 2,3 years old.

 

[ryan840]

Just wanted to follow up and thank everyone again for the great ideas. We decided to have the baby get our son an "I'm a new big brother" T shirt to put on when he meets him/opens it, a Dora the Explorer book he saw in the store the other day and loved (it was a flashing ligkts/music one) and some Disney Dollars (hey, can't go wrong with them!) for our upcoming trip. He is going to give the baby a bib that matches his shirt and says "I'm Alex's baby brother" (sooo cute!) which he too will wear right away, a "lovey" and some Disney Dollars. The only thing we can't decide on is who the Disney Dollars should be from- the kids or us? My husband thinks they should be from each other and I kinda think it makes sense if they come from us- a present to both our boys to celebrate their new roles...