OT- Big Brother Gift for Baby's Arrival

[IllumFan]

Our second child is due in about 6 weeks. Our son turned three in October. When the baby is born, we would like to give him a special, meaningful "big brother" gift so he feels included. Of course, meaningful to a three year old can be quite different than meaningful to an adult. It doesn't have to be big or expensive, just something that makes him feel special and important.

My husband and I cannot come up with any good ideas. I was hoping someone could help.

 

[ms_missy66]

When my younger daughter was born, her older sister was a whopping 18 months old. We got her a baby doll to play pretend mom. When I was nursing the baby, I'd give her jobs to do with her baby. "Read baby a book! Oh, she's hungry! She wants you to hug her." She was so pleased to be taking care of her baby. I'm not sure how well that will translate to a boy, but ya never know! I'm sending good wishes to you and baby for a happy and healthy delivery!

 

[monorailsilver]

Is there a special toy you can give him? Something that will keep him occupied while you tend to the baby those first few weeks (or longer?).

I had my 2nd child when my oldest was 2 yrs, 4 mo & my 3rd when my oldest was 2 months shy of 5 & my 2nd was 2 yrs 6 mo (that is alot of numbers).

I think we just got them some color wonder stuff or something along those lines.

No keep sakes or anything like that. Oh wait, my dh is a sucker & he was in the gift shop with my oldest when my 2nd was born & got her a big sister hat because she liked it.

 

[ladulce]

I have 4- so, with each younger sibling I got the older ones these great books called "I'm a big brother/sister now". They are really cool and talk about how great it is to be an older sibling. The girls also got "big sister" ribbons that they wore when they visited us in the hospital (which was often with my preemie son). They got extra attention from people in the elevator and nurses, and, this helped them to feel important. They still have these up on their bulletin boards.

When I had my second daughter, it had been just my oldest and myself for a couple of years, and, right after giving birth, I wrote her a letter telling her about how happy I was and how much I love her. I put some stickers in it, and, she hopefully will some day be as happy about the letter that I have tucked away for her as she was about the stickers. I hope that someday both girls will enjoy that letter. It is very heartfelt.

Good luck!

 

[peanmunch]

My second ds was born when ds #1 was 3.3 years old. I gave him a big brother book and this precious moment http://cgi.ebay.com/Precious-Moments-2001-Im-A-Big-Brother-New_W0QQitemZ160279804887QQcmdZViewItem . it looks like it's retired but i found it on ebay...it says "I'm A Big Brother". i also had him pick out a small stuffed animal to bring to the hospital for his baby brother

Lori

 

[Perditamarie]

When I am waiting at school to pick up my son, there is a mom w/a newborn and an energetic 4 yo boy. The little boy often walks next to his mom pushing his own stroller w/a baby brother doll in it....it is really sweet.

Another idea is to let him pick out something special to take care of at Build a Bear.....I am sure it is possible to use BAB for just about every occasion!!!!

Congratulations!!

 

[rt2dz]

When DS#2 was born, he gave DS#1 the circus Thomas train set and a big brother t-shirt.

When DS#3 was born, he gave DS#1 and DS#2 each a gift certificate to Build-a-Bear and special travel blankets for the car (which they still use 3 years later). We do a lot of long car rides. The hospital gave them big brother t-shirts.

We have the I'm a Big Brother book that a pp mentioned, and a couple of others. It's (they're) really good; however, I highly recommend reading it (them) often *before* the baby gets there.

 

[AwaitingMagic]

I'd give him a special "I'm a Big Brother" shirt to wear to the hospital and then just have the baby give him something little - maybe a Thomas train or something? We gave my daughter a doll when my middle one was born, but she could have cared less. She just wanted to hold the real baby!

 

[csnkrushin]

When we adopted our daughter - she "gave" her big brother who was 4 1/2 at the time a piece for his Brio train set that he wanted...he was so excited.

He came with us the night before we went to get her (she was exactly one month old when we brought her home) and picked out a baby blanket for her...light fleece -yellow with flowers. She (now almost 6) loves that blankie, never sleeps without it, and always says that it is her favorite because her brother bought it for her cuz he loves her.

 

[IllumFan]

Thanks to everyone for the great suggestions and wishes. I knew I came to the right place with my question!

 

[Zeebs]

Seth brought Cullen a digger, I think he dragged it out with him when he arrived.....

He also got a special box of toys that I got down when I was breastfeeding it kept him entertained while I was feeding.

Kirsten

 

[scottish mum]

I just gave my boys a toy they really wanted it wasn't a big toy but they really liked it. I think it was a digger or lorry

 

[foltzy]

Our dd was 2 when her baby brother was born.

She picked out and gave him a blanket with bears on (He's 1 1/2 now and still uses it to cover up with).

He gave her a bear wearing a big sister shirt and a shirt for her that said big sister.

 

[poohfriend77]

We packed a new baby doll and a "big sister" shirt with my hospital stuff, so our new baby could give a gift to her big sister when she visited us at the hospital. I'd think a boy would like a doll too, although I know a few dads who would have a problem with that.

Another idea is that I put some art supplies (that we already had) in a special box that DD could open herself. Whenever she wanted my attention but I was busy with the baby, I'd ask her to get it out. "Such a shame that Erin is too little to color me a pretty picture. Only BIG girls can draw with crayons. You're so lucky you have your OWN art set." etc. etc. I think anything that emphasizes the pluses of being "big" are helpful!

 

[TiggerStac]

I had a frame for my son saying brand new big brother and we took a picture of him holding the baby. He is a little older than yours, but loves it...his brother was less than an hour old in the picture.

 

[Minniemouse07]

Before ds was born, dd (then 4.5yo) and I went to build a bear where she made a puppy dog for ds and a cat for herself.

Dd's baby backpack was packed w/ a new dvd, a few books, an art activity and an I'm a Big Sister t-shirt. She enjoyed these things while hanging out at my best friend's house during the birth.

I didn't get her anything specifically from ds for after the birth...but she was involved in preparing for him every step of the way (even helped take my blood pressure during my prenatal exams!).

 

[LauraP22]

For a three year old boy, I would choose a special "big boy" toy. Train, truck, whatever he is into. Then I would stress that it is only for big kids and he can play with it whenever he wants since he is a big boy

Other than that, maybe a big brother t-shirt and a book about little siblings.

 

[tlh0726]

My oldest DS was 12 when his little sister was born. We did not purchase anything special for him but he did get to do something special. We have some great pictures of him holding her and giving her her first bottle.
DD was 18 months when DS #2 was born. Did not purchase anything special for her either. When my husband brought her to the hospital she was just wide eyed and thrilled with being able to hold the baby. If we would have gotten her something, it would have been totally forgotten about once she saw the baby.
At home I left my DD help with everything.