I think this is a really great idea. I only have one child so i never experienced this but i do have some friends who went through this and organised for a sibling to give the new baby a gift. It was a small gift but the sibling got to pick it out and then give it to the baby when she first met him. It is such a lovely idea.

We did a gift exchange when my third was born almost three years ago. More so because having a c section in a private hospital I was going to be away from my 3 and 5 year old and it was going to be a struggle for all of us. I got my two older boys a gorgeous little Jellycat teddy each to give to their new baby brother when they came to visit us in the hospital, and they were both given a small Lego set each from their baby brother and myself for being brave and a thank you for visiting us. This then gave them an activity to do at home, and show me when I got home from hospital. Their baby brother turns three in four weeks, and the two big brothers STILL talk about the Lego they got at the hospital when their baby brother was born…its a beautiful memory connection for them. They get the Lego out and play with it still, and you can just see it means something.

I’ve always bought a gift for a toddler when their sibling is born. It think it makes them feel important too as everyone is gushing over the baby and they can start to feel left out a bit. I think it helps them realise they’re just as important as the baby and helps with the transition. I think it’s a great idea and really sets the child up not to be jealous as some kids do. Nothing super expensive or anything but maybe something they already like to play with.

My son was nearly three years old when his brother was born and we didn’t get him a gift. He doted on his brother pretty much straight away so not sure that it would have made any difference.

I got a gift from my toddler to my newborn that he picked and he got a gift from the newborn. I think given that my son was 3 at the time he was excited to be getting a present and a new sibling. It also helped that it was a toy that would keep him distracted enough for those first few days of finding my feet. I think it’s a sweet gesture but I do understand it’s not for everyone.

We tried but our smarty pants toddler just knew it didn’t actually come from his new sister so never really created that link/connection. I did ask close family to bring something small as a gift for our toddler when gifting the new baby, even if it is just a chocolate from the servo.

No I didn’t get a gift for my newborn to give to his toddler. But I did get a gift myself for my toddler and also several friends gave a gift to my newborn and his sibling. I believe it sure eases the transition in the new role and helps them feel important and included. Of course including them in the care for the baby is just as important