Getting Ready for Baby

Updated on May 13, 2009
K.S. asks from Pittsburgh, PA
22 answers

Hi! We are getting ready for baby number 3 at the beginning of June. We have 2 girls, 2 1/2 years old and 18 months who at some point will need to start sharing a room so the baby can be in the nursery. We are going to move our older girl into a twin bed from her toddler bed today. My question is would it be better to get the girls together in one room now before the baby is born or after?? We're on the fence about it but think either way would work, just looking for some other opinions! Thanks!!

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A.R.

answers from Lancaster on

I think I would do it now to give them time to adjust. That way you still have the other room and can ease them in to the transition.

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D.W.

answers from Philadelphia on

I would do it now. you will be to sore and to tired to do it after the baby is born. it sounds like you are int he nesting phase so that is the best time to get things done. i had the apartment spotless before my son was born including that i washed and folded all of his things before he was born. that was definantly a good thing. I was tired once he came. I think the girls will be excited with the baby coming if you tell them you need to get the room ready for the baby and that can have its own room. tell them that they are big girls and they need to share. if they have any adjustment issues at least they should be resolved before the baby arrives.
good luck and congrats on the upcoming addition to the family.

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F.B.

answers from Harrisburg on

I think that it would be best to have them share a room now rather than later. There is going to be so much going on when your baby comes. You won't need the added stress of getting your other daughters to share a room.

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J.D.

answers from Philadelphia on

i just wanted to say i would move them into the same room now too... you don't want them to feel like they are getting displaced because of the baby, you know?

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V.F.

answers from Scranton on

You could also consider putting them both into a full size bed as well. This can be a good or bad depending upon how well they get along but I think it would also encourage a lot of bonding

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B.W.

answers from Erie on

I would do it now, and make it a fun event. It is MUCH better to make the change when it has nothing at all to do with the baby coming. That way, neither of them see that they lost their "private room" status due to the baby. I think you'll find your life is much easier that way -- even if the baby sleeps in your room for a while.

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T.H.

answers from Philadelphia on

I was in this same situation last year. Here is what we did. We kept the new baby in our room for the first month and a half while she was waking up every few hours still- and kept our 2 year old and 8 year old in their own rooms. Then we made a huge deal about the 2 year old "graduating" and moving into the "Big Girl room" we told her that the old room was for babies (it has winnie the pooh wall paper, and the crib- and her new room has her big girl bed and her big sister! This way she didn't associate the move with the baby stealing her room from her, but rather that she had accomplished something. Luckilly the 8 year old was just as excited to have a roommate, so it worked out well for us. In my opinion, ifyou make it all about the middle child, they will feel less like the baby is an intrusion into their life. Good luck whatever you choose to do!

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T.M.

answers from Philadelphia on

I agree with now also. Best wishes with your new addition :)

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T.R.

answers from York on

By all means, move your two older girls together now! Make it a fun thing for them....make that into a "big girl" room, no babies allowed. Let them pick out a few things together to decorate their room with. I would not wait until after your new baby has arrived.....it will be far too chaotic to throw everyone into a new situation at once. You could also let your two older girls have a hand in setting up the babies nursery, do a little decorating in there also....let them think they are fixing up the old room just for their new baby. Good luck and congratulations on your new little one!

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K.N.

answers from Pittsburgh on

First of all CONGRATS to you. What an exciting time for all of you. I have 4 children (3 girls and 1 boy) and two of the girls share a room. They have done so for quite a while due to space (at old house) and because they wanted to. But i do know from other expierences that doing it before the baby and making it seem like an adventure will help the girls feel less anxiety and frustration. Also (i know they are little) but letting them "help" redecorate (maybe just buying a new comforter or sheet set) will let them feel like they are involved. Good luck. I know it seems daunting but it will all work out... remember kids are resillent.

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B.D.

answers from Lancaster on

I would do it now and get that "adjustment" done and out of the way before the next big adjustment of a new baby!

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L.T.

answers from Pittsburgh on

I think now would be better. It will give them a chance to adjust before the baby comes.

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M.M.

answers from Pittsburgh on

I say do it now, if for no other reason it will be one less thing to do after the baby is born. Yes the transition will probably be easier for them now.....but when you are tired and doing new baby stuff will you really want to have to add that to the list? I would start now, make it a special thing and make it fun.
Good luck!

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M.S.

answers from Philadelphia on

Agree, Agree, Agree!

Move them now. We moved out daughter into her big girl bed prior to her sister being born because she was going to be using the crib. We let her come bed shopping with us and try out different beds. Then when she was out of the house my husband put the room together. When we came home we got the video camera out and made a huge deal about her moving into her big girl bed. She never looked back. It was a great transition!

Good Luck!!

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T.M.

answers from Allentown on

K.,
life will be crazy no matter what you decide.
3 children under age 3 years ....
do what ever works !!!!!!!!
sit back and wait ....... 1 child may be ' motherly' , another may show jelous or commanding behavior ... or both may be 100% sweet .......
you may be creating bunk beds or seperating as far away as you can ?????????
the children will certainly let you know the answer ...
nice to see you are organized ...
a mommy of girlys

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V.S.

answers from Sharon on

I only have two children who are now in a single room in bunk beds. I would think that it is better to get them used to being in the room together now before the baby comes that way you can work out any issues now rather than later. It is hard enough dealing with night duty with a baby. This should be a quiet time. You don't need the whole household up because of sleep issues. Hope this helps. All the best!

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A.C.

answers from Allentown on

I am also expecting number 3 in September. Our children are about the same age as yours. I decided that I would put my boys together at least a month before my due date that way I would have time to get them adjusted before the baby comes. If I wait until after I will be so exhausted and the new baby will need my attention. I also don't want them to associate the arrival of the new baby with moving out of their present bedrooms. Good luck!

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E.G.

answers from Philadelphia on

Dear K.,
I have 3 children as well, although your children are young, if you wait until the baby comes, they may think they are losing their room to the baby and they may be upset by that. If possible I would move them now, make a big deal over this, it "will be fun", maybe take them out to pick out something new for their room together, like wall stickers at the dollar store even. You can move their things slowly, because the baby may not sleep in that room for 3-4 months if you are using a bassinet in your room. Best wishes with whatever you decide and congrats on your upcoming new addition!

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J.V.

answers from Allentown on

Personally, I would do it before the baby gets here. That way, you can work out the kinks in the bedtime routine and other shared bedroom activities before the baby comes and you are too exhausted to deal with it. Also, your older daughter may need some time to adjust to her new sleeping arrangements as well as the new bed.

B.K.

answers from Pittsburgh on

Hi K., Congrats on the new baby! As the mother of 3 girls myself I suggest you put the two "big" sisters together the sooner the better. You don't want them to think that they are being put together "because" of the baby. You don't want to start the blame game yet! LOL they will do that enough as they get older on their own! Also you want them to be used to any major changes in your house before the baby comes. Good luck and best wishes.

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S.G.

answers from Philadelphia on

I would definitely move them in together now, before baby arrives. This will give them about 2-3 weeks to adjust before everything is thrown into chaos again when the new baby arrives. Good luck and congrats!

D.S.

answers from Allentown on

Hi K.,

Ask the girls for their help in fixing up the room that they will share.

You might as well do it as soon as you can so they will be adjusted together by the time the baby is born.

I suggest that you don't sleep with your newborn. If you will be breast feeding, contact your local La Leche League Representative at:

www.llli.org

Good luck. D.

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