older sibling gifts at birth

[jessaroo]

Hello All-

I have a 5 year old daughter who will be present at our homebirth. I have been trying to think of some ideas of a Big sister gift for her to have that day.
The only thing that I have come up with is a sling for her doll. Does anyone have ideas for a gift like this?

thanks,
jess

[OrganicSister]

Hmm, the only thing coming to mind would be something with Big Sis on it, like a shirt or maybe a photo frame to place their first pic in.

[hapersmion]

A sling is cool. Or maybe some doll cloth diapers?

[emmaegbert]

I'll have a 4 1/2-y-o son by then, and its a ways off but I've started thinking about it too. He's really into his dolls lately, and I was thinking slings/wraps to match mine (maybe even a mini-ring sling? I am sure I can find some small rings somewhere by then) as well as a set of dolly cloth dipes. But then I got worried-- maybe with all the fuss of a *real* baby he'll be sick of that stuff-- I don't know. I was also thinking of getting him special art supplies, puzzles, organizing these massive handed down lego sets for him (esp b/c he'll only have a few more months to spread out the tiny stuff!)... trying to think of stuff that he can do to be busy and entertained while I am endlessly nursing a newborn (oh, and he is tv and video free, so I'm not going to get him that).

But I'd love to hear other ideas.

[PookieMom]

I remember when my brother was born (I was 6) he brought me a brand spanking new set of pointy tip markers and an art pad. I will never forget it. I don't think it matters what you get for the older sibling, as long as it's something they are interested in. They'll never forget it, guaranteed.

[ChristSavesAll]

I got ds a camera so he could take pics of everything going on! He loves cameras and taking pics so it was a great present for him and me... I got a child's perspective on the birth.

[ann_of_loxley]

I was thinking of a toy sling as well for my DS.
I got all my friends children one of these when they had a sibling though...so might get DS one too.

[Parthenia]

As excited as I was about having another baby, as an only child, I thought it was way more exciting that dd1 was going to be a sister. She was 5 when her little sister was born. My baby shower was multigenerational, and I asked people if they wanted to get something for me to please make it pre-owned (cloth diapers and nursing shirts), useful (my friends filled my freezer), or intangible (like scrub my toilets a few times, and two weeks of post partum doula services). Or, if they had kids dd's age, to get a big sister baby shower gift for dd. She got a doll sling, a couple of "big sister shirts", and a couple of other little things.

I went to visit my family in Memphis, and one of my cousins threw me a baby shower. I got all the things I didn't need or want, (but was showered with love), I gave dd several books and a jumprope. Two of my aunts thankfully didn't give me anything at all, and gave dd a beautiful doll.

DD1 has started to teach her little sister how to use a jumprope.

[Juniperberry]

The sling is a good idea.. or anything for her dolls if that's what she likes. We've thought of this too.. our son is 2.5 (baby due in 2 weeks) and we've bought him a few Thomas the Tank Engine toys that he will receive from the baby. I agree.. the gifts don't have to be baby orientated.. just something the child will definitely enjoy!

I remember watching a documentary on the TV a while ago and the mom brought the older son (about 5 I'd guess) into the hospital room and there was this shiny present in the baby crib for him.. he was all excited and opened it and it was underwear and socks!! He wasn't best impressed as you can imagine.. poor little guy!!

so just be sure it's something your child will definitely enjoy.

[MamaKalena]

I would suggest giving her something that she's really into at the moment. DH went and got DS his first pedal bike as a "big brother" gift from his new sister. Only problem was he was not really interested in riding it and his disappointment really showed. He tried the bike at DH's persistence and got the hang of it right away, but then has not wanted to ride it since. Kind of sad since I think the pedal bike meant more to DH than to DS. In retrospect, I wish we would have chose something that he was really into at the moment, like sea animals.