Taking care of your first baby is a chaotic experience with a very, very steep learning curve! Luckily, once you get the baby home, settled in, and start a routine, things get much easier. By the time you decide to start trying for baby number two, taking care of an infant is second nature.
Then the second baby arrives, the house explodes into chaos again, and although mom and dad are already used to this feeling, the newly-promoted big sibling is in the corner, dealing with the fact that their world just got totally rocked. The new big sibling is about to go through a major adjustment period, which can be extra hard on parents, too!
Here's an idea for whenever you decide to start shopping for the second time mom to be: Don't just pick up a baby blanket and call it a day, go above and beyond by getting her the best surprise gift ever--a distraction for her big kid! That way mom doesn't have to worry about watching big sibling while she's tending to the newborn! Here's Wrightsville Ave's official New Big Sibling Survival Guide, so you can be the favorite gift-giver at the next baby shower (and mom's life saver)!
The Quiet Time Hero
Picture it: Mom's been home with the newborn for a few weeks. She and big sibling are beginning to settle into a routine, and although they're both still adjusting, things are becoming easier by the day. The newborn's been crying all day long, and mom finally got them to fall asleep.
That means it's imperative that her big kid plays quietly in the meantime, so she can enjoy some peace and quiet. Here's the problem--so many toys are loud, or have flashing lights, which makes it pretty tough for mom to get the R&R she needs. The solution? A toy that doesn't have all of the loud bells and whistles, but is still charming and high-quality enough to encourage playing and having fun.
Our suggestion? Maileg! Maileg, a Danish brand, is most known for their adorable mice, but they have a huge variety of other dolls, like unicorns, bunnies, and cats! Having one of the Maileg mice tucked away in its matchbox, or a sleeping kitty plush on standby, means that there's always something ready for big sibling to engage in imaginative, fun playtime with. This way, big sibling gets to escape into their own quiet world, while giving the parents some much-needed quiet time.
Check out our Maileg collection HERE!
The "On the Go" Distraction
The appointments, visits, and errands mom has to take care of with a newborn can be extremely overwhelming. That overwhelming feeling can be made even worse when mom is also dealing with the big sibling who is no longer the center of attention. Mom needs something to keep her big kid distracted!
The smaller Maileg mice are a great choice, but our favorite "on the go" distraction are our Candylab cars!
These wooden toy cars are high-quality and designed to hold up to hours and hours of playtime. They're super durable! There are no flashing lights, buttons, or loud noises, so it can be played with anywhere without causing any headaches. It's small enough to fit in mom's diaper bag or the kid's pocket, but it's not so small that you risk losing any tiny pieces. Candylab toys will provide big sibling with hours of engaging play, rolling the cars around on tables and chairs, so mom is free to take care of baby business!
Cuddle & Kind Co. mini dolls are a great option, too. These high-quality toys stand up to endless playtime, and they're crafted with organic cotton that is both durable and super soft that the kiddo will love. Even better, Cuddle & Kind Co. has an amazing mission, so it's a toy that you can feel good about buying!
Check out our Candylab Cars HERE!
Check out our Cuddle & Kind Co. Dolls HERE!
Their Very Own Baby
Another great bonus gift for the new big sibling is a baby of their own! Larger Cuddle & Kind dolls, Maileg plushies, and teddy bears are good options, but we think a baby doll is one of the best choices.
Minikane baby dolls are a favorite of ours at Wrightsville Ave Boutique. Minikane is the gold standard of gorgeous, high-quality boutique baby dolls, and we can't recommend them enough. These beautifully crafted European dolls have a subtle vanilla scent and they're the perfect size to fit in big sibling's arms. Kids love to mimic, so when mom is carrying and rocking the newborn, big sibling can do the same with their Minikane doll.
The big sibling will love hugging, cradling, and swaddling their own baby while mom does the same with the newborn. Not only does this provide big sibling with a sense of responsibility, but it also gives them a comforting companion in a time of tremendous change!
Check out our selection of Minikane dolls, outfits, and accessories HERE!
Be the Fav Aunt/Uncle/Gift-Giving Friend
While everyone else brings blankets and diapers, YOU get to be the hero by going above and beyond with your gift. You're technically giving the new big sibling the gift, but what you're really doing is saving mom and dad's sanity for that first few weeks home with the newborn.
Ready to build the ultimate Big Sibling Survival Gift? Shop our selection of quiet, screen-free online, or stop by the boutique in person! We'd love to help you organize the best gift ever!
Still looking for baby shower/newborn gifts? Read our exclusive guide on building the perfect boutique gift bundle HERE!
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