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I would think you would want to tell her about it. Make it sound exciting and fun- like an adventure. She'll be a big sister! And at the same time prepare her for not playing or picking up the baby like she would a doll. Babies can get hurt that way.

I'm in the same boat. Ds will be 18 mo. and 1 week when his sister arrives. I really don't think at that age he can understand a concept of us bringing a new baby home before it happens. We'll just wait 'til she arrives and he can see her. At that age kids only understand what they see.

My son will be 19mths when bubs is born (I have just over 3wks left) & I let him help get everything ready telling him 'this is for the new baby' & rubbing my belly as I said it. I don't think he is really old enough to understand but he smiles when I talk about the baby & because I say it in a fun way & encourage him to touch my belly, he often kisses my belly when I say there's a baby in there.

Let her be involved in some of the preparations telling her it's for the baby, but definitely don't leave it until the last minute to get things ready or it might be too much for her to handle, especially as the baby will be in her room.

Yeah, I really don't think she'll understand. I am going to get the crib out of the garage and clean, and put it up when the snow stops this week. I have to buy another shelf and dresser soon, and will tell her that the clothes and stuff is for baby. We'll just have to see how smooth it happens when he comes.

my son will be 20 months when i have the baby and i also tell him there is a baby in there and he says baby sister and it is so cute but im not really sure if he understands. when he see a baby he will say baby, still not sure if he has made the connection yet??

my daugter wil be also 18 months, when her brother arrives, I also told her there is baby in my belly, she rubs it, and kisses it. granny send her a doll with pacifier, that cries when you take it out, so I make the baby cry, and then put the binkey back, and let my daughter to gently pat the baby's back and carry it around. We bought her another doll, with some clothes, and bottles, and even pamper i believe, so I am going to engage her in all the activitie before her brother is here. They might not understand now, but they learn very quickly.

My 2 are 14 months apart and I did tell my eldest (DD) that there was a baby in Mummy's tummy when I was pregnant. As soon as he was born she used to put her head against his and say aww dolly. She called him dolly for about 6 months until he started to crawl then he became baby. She used to sit holding her doll whilst I held DS and call him mummy dolly - I think for the first 6 months she thought he was a doll but the best doll ever as he did a few things.

dunno, but i recall a tip from a coworker: keep a stash of wrapped toys at home for the older child. whenever someone comes over w/presents for the baby, whip out a toy for the older one. it prevents jealousy and helps the older one feel included, not lost in all the attn going to the baby.

i'd also be hesitant to leave the newborn in the older child's room until i knew how the older child was taking it. my nephew is 15 months older than his sister, and when she was an infant, he would whack her at every opportunity, every time we turned away. he'd been the sweetest child before then; he was just jealous.

When my second was born my first was right at 18 months. We told him there was a baby in my tummy and let him help. When he came to the hospital to meet the new baby we had a gift wrapped to him from the baby. I am on baby #4 now and we have always given the older siblings gifts from the new baby. That is a great way to put the baby on big brother/sister's good side.....bribery ;)

I know the feeling! My boys are 12-and-a-half months apart. I don't think they can't really comprehend whats going on but it may be a good idea to give your daughter a doll and pretend it's 'her' baby to get use to the idea. Fortunately, little ones tend to adapt pretty quickly. My son reacted really well when I bought his brother home, like he had been there the whole time! Good luck!