Spend time talking about your older child's birth. Make a scrapbook with the older child. Have pictures of things your child did and people your child enjoys. This will help when mom is in the hospital, and it will also give your child something to share when people come to see the baby. The older child can buy a small gift that mom can take to the hospital for the baby.
Mom can also purchase a small gift to leave at home - the baby's gift to the big brother or sister.
Teach the older child a song to sing to the baby when it comes home. The arrival of a new baby can be a source of fear and confusion for children. To Do Have your child visit you and the baby at the hospital. Give your child a gift to bring to the baby and have a gift from the baby to give the older child. The older child can draw a picture of the family including the new baby.