No doubt you've seen this title many times. It's everywhere. What to Expect When You're Expecting, What to Expect The First Year, What to Expect During the Toddler Years. But what about everyone else? There should be a book titled What to Expect When Mom is Expecting or What to Expect With My New Sibling.

It's been done before and it will be done again. The first child will for the most part have to deal with siblings. Being the youngest of 4 I really don't have a clue. No one came after me. However, being the mom of three I can tell you preparing your child for the birth of their sibling is key.

 I have two tips for you:
     1. Talk about having a new sibling in a positive way. Make sure your child knows how lucky the baby is to have a big brother or sister.
     2. Include your child in everything, even if you are making all the decisions. A child needs to understand the baby is going to be part of the family, and in order to be part of the family, everyone in the family needs to be ready to welcome the baby.

Other than those two tips some great books to read with your child follow:

101 Things to Do With a Baby by Jan Ormerod

Baby on The Way by Dr. Sears

What Baby Needs by Dr. Sears

Welcome with Love by Jenni Overend

Will There Be a Lap For Me by Dorothy Corey

The New Baby At Your House by Joanna Cole

My New Baby and Me by Madel Franc-Nohain (This book is interactive and is perfect for the big sibling)

Another fantastic way to make the new sibling feel extra special is give them a gift that is all their own when you bring baby home. A great sibling gift set for girls and boys can be found on the Baby Gift Basket Website.