How We’re Preparing Our Toddler for a New Baby: Books, Play, and Practical Steps

A number of people have asked how we’re helping Clara get ready for a younger sibling. From the moment we found out it’s a boy, we gave her a baby boy doll to play with so she could practice caring for a little one. She still has a big soft spot for Captain Barnacles — a character she adores — and we try to use familiar toys and characters to make the idea of a new baby feel friendly and fun.

Most of our preparation has been simple, everyday interactions. We talk with Clara about what it means to be a big sister, and she’s genuinely excited. She tells us she wants to “give him bottles and change his diapers and carry him like this and share my toys.” Encouraging her natural enthusiasm and letting her describe how she’ll help has been a great way to build confidence and ownership.

We’ve also included Clara in easy, positive tasks related to the new baby. For example, she helped pick out a stuffed toy for her brother — she chose a little plush with a mustache — and she enjoyed being part of that decision. Small choices like this help a child feel included instead of sidelined.

Another hands-on way we’ve involved her is by letting her help assemble furniture for the nursery. Working together on a tangible project gives her a sense of contribution and excitement about the baby’s arrival, and it gives us special family time during the transition.

Books We’ve Been Reading About New Siblings

Reading together about new babies has been a gentle, effective way to prepare Clara emotionally. Here are three picture books we’ve enjoyed and why they worked for us:

I’m a Big Sister – This book focuses on the perks and responsibilities of being the older sibling. It highlights fun things big kids can do — push the stroller, help with diaper changes — and also acknowledges that babies get a lot of attention. There’s a sweet page about the big sister getting ice cream (something a baby can’t do), which cleverly addresses feelings of envy while celebrating the special privileges of being older.

You Were the First – This is an especially tender book that always makes me a little teary. It’s written as a reminder to the older child that they were the parent’s first special one, and it gently reassures them that they’ll always have a unique place in the family. For us, it’s a comforting way to reinforce Clara’s security and remind her she’s deeply loved, even as attention naturally shifts when a new baby arrives.

The Berenstain Bears’ New Baby – This book has a classic, homespun feel and focuses on how family routines shift when a new baby comes home. Much of the storyline follows the older sibling moving into a new bed and adjusting to changes in the household, which is a practical way to talk about transitions. Clara especially laughs at the playful moments in this story — including a scene where the new baby playfully hits her older brother on the nose — so the humor helps diffuse any anxiety about change.

Why Books Help — and a Few Practical Tips

Books are helpful because they normalize the experience and give children language for complicated feelings. Reading together opens the door to conversations about excitement, jealousy, responsibility, and love in an age-appropriate way. Beyond storytime, here are a few practical approaches that have worked well for us and that other parents often find useful:

• Let your child practice caregiving with a doll or stuffed animal so they can role-play feeding, burping, and diapering.
• Include them in baby-related tasks that are safe and simple — choosing a toy, helping unpack items, or holding one tool while you assemble furniture — so they feel involved.
• Validate big emotions: acknowledge when your child feels left out or worried, and reassure them that your love for them won’t change.
• Maintain special one-on-one routines (reading before bed, a morning snuggle) so the older child still gets focused attention.

We’ve enjoyed sharing stories, play, and projects with Clara as we prepare for her brother. These steps help transform what could be an anxious time into an exciting new chapter for the whole family.

Do you have favorite books or activities you used to prepare an older child for a new sibling? We’d love to hear recommendations and ideas to add to our list.