The moment you have a baby your whole life changes. Suddenly your world is so tiny, revolving around something so precious. I can remember feeling like I never wanted that moment to end, our little world was complete.
Time does not stand still though and things do change – your tiny baby starts to grow up. You recover from the birth (your brain makes you forget!!) and one day you decide to have another baby. It is a big decision, you are bringing another person into your already established family unit. How does that affect the child you already adore? How do you start preparing siblings for a new baby?
When I first found out I was pregnant my first thought was ‘but what will Little G do?’. Even though we had planned it I didn’t expect to have such a feeling of guilt. Up until then Little G had been my world and now I would have to share my time. I know people say you just find more love to give but u just don’t believe it. How could you love anyone as much?
From the 12 week scan onwards I involved Little G in everything. I explained that a little baby was growing inside me and that she would be a big sister. She didn’t understand at first but as I grew bigger and she could see the baby kicking it eventually began to make sense in her world.
At the 20 week scan we found out that we were having a girl. Little G has guessed all along that she was going to have a sister so that was a relief!! We had a 3D scan to make sure and from that point on she seemed to really understand what was going to happen.
Every day she would moisturise my tummy and talk to her little sister. I explained that she would ‘pop out’ after we had put the Christmas tree up and that seemed to help her get a grasp on time.
On December 1st we put the tree up and it was just a matter of waiting. At 8 days overdue she finally ‘popped out’ (you can read my birth story here). Our family of 3 became a complete family of 4 and my heart opened up for another precious little person.
We made sure that Little G was the very first visitor to the hospital. She got the first hold and brought the present she had chosen for her new baby sister. I was in tears as it was the most magical moment I have ever witnessed. The love she felt towards her after months of knowing about her inside me was amazing.
The best advice I got was from my mum. She told me to always refer to the baby as Little G’s sister rather than ‘My baby’. And truly this worked. She has never shown any jealousy really. She feels as though Baby L is hers and we both look after her. Over the past few months I have gradually introduced a different way of talking to Baby L as obviously as she gets older I will call her my baby / princess etc.. but certainly in those early days just modifying how you refer to them helps so much.
Are you going to have a new baby in the family? Come over to my FB page and tell me all about it!
lynn @ More4mums
Tuesday 25th of August 2015
WHat a lovely post, she seems like a great big sister.
Katy
Tuesday 25th of August 2015
Thank you so much Lynn, she is a great big sister :-)
Seychellesmama
Monday 13th of April 2015
Goodness I just cried at the picture of little G holding her baby sister haha pregnancy hormones are in overdrive and I can't wait to see Arthur holding his baby brother!! Great read :) x
Katy
Tuesday 14th of April 2015
Just wait til you are in the moment- best feeling ever! x