Good Gift from New Baby to Sibling

[Anonymous]

I have a three year old little girl and am expecting another in February. Anyone have good suggestions about a good gift "from" the new baby to the sibling?

[Anonymous]

My baby gave my daughter a doll car seat. It's amazing that he was born holding onto that gift for his sister! She LOVES babies and dolls and had started putting her dolls in the real car-seat that we had taken out in preparation. We bought one from Joovy that looks just like a real one (it even has latch system if you want to go all out and put it in the car).

The baby also had lots of shopping time in those first few weeks (ie - we stockpiled ahead of time) and would give her books, stickers, lollipops, etc now and then to show his love.

I know other babies that have given train sets or play kitchens, depending on your child's interest. Just remember to take the gift to the hospital with you to give to big sister when they first meet. Plan ahead: my baby came 3 weeks early and the gift had just arrived that day!

[Anonymous]

I don't have a suggestion for a gift but I have heard of couples asking sibling to write a letter to the new baby or tell the new baby (i.e., talk to mom's belly) what present s/he wants most.

Of course, if your child asks for a pony, this could pose a logistically problem for you.

[Anonymous]

I've never heard of this tradition. Is this common?

[Anonymous]

I read one thing that said not to do this b/c the sibling can see through it and it makes them suspicious of the new baby. They said instead to get the sibling some special gifts but from the parents. I'm due at the end of January and we have a 18 month old. We have a computer game (our son loves anything electronic and this will have nobs and lights and allow him to play on the compter that he sees Mom and Dad using) waiting in the wings for the baby's first day home. A friend advised us that a bunch of ballons at the hospital for the sibling worked well for them. And we're planning on offering an ice cream treat generously when the need seems to arise.

[Anonymous]

Surely your daughter will realize that the gift is not from the baby. I think it would make the child suspicious, and it seems a bit manipulative. I agree with the 9:23 poster's advice.

[Anonymous]

I've never heard of the gift-from-new-baby thing not working. Everyone I know who's done it has said the older kid loved it. Maybe it's about age -- a 5yo is more likely to be skeptical than a 2 yo -- but the stories I've heard have been all positive.

[Anonymous]

If your kids believe in santa, they will likely believe that the gift came from the new baby. But if it bothers you to say that, then don't.

There is nothing manipulative about trying to make the older sibling feel loved and special at a time when attention is on the new baby.