Having baby number two is a tough decision.
Not only will you have double the work at home, you'll also (probably) have to face a decidedly jealous firstborn.
Yep, like it or not, your firstborn is likely to feel a bit put out when all of the attention is shifted from them to their screaming little brother or sister.
But there are ways you can stop the problem ballooning, and one way is to address the issue straight away.
That's right, before you even bring baby #2 home, you can start helping your firstborn out a little...
Get reading
There are quite a few good books out there aimed at helping your child adjust to a new arrival. Our favourites include There's a House Inside my Mummy by Giles Andreae, and What Brothers do Best/What Sisters do Betst by New York Times bestseller Laura Numeroff.
Shift the load
When your firstborn comes to visit you for the first time, it could be helpful to have your arms free. That way you're free to welcome your child into your arms, reminding them that your love for them hasn't changed.
Find some one-on-one time
If possible, find ways to have one-to-one time with your older child, and allow them to take the lead with what they want to do - even just lying on the bed flicking through books is perfect.
Frame it
Another way to reinforce your firstborn's importance to you is to have a framed photo of him or her beside your bed. That way, they'll be in no doubt about whether you missed them or not.
Think gifts
While bribing isn't advised, giving your little one a small gift when they first arrive to say hello is a nice token. Maybe you could wait until you've introduced them to their little brother or sister. You could say something like 'This is for being a good big brother/sister, which I can already see you are.' There's nothing like a bit of encouragement!
Postpone changes
If the time has come for your toddler to move into a junior bed, forget about it. A new baby is change enough for your tot to get used to, and it won't kill them to stay in their cot for a few weeks until the dust has settled.
