My son coped fine, I thought I was in labour about 6 times and each time he got shipped off to a friends house. The only difference is that when i got home fromt he hospital he was a little clingy as he did not understand why Mummy was not home for 5 days.

He also noticed my growing belly and somehow new something was in there as he kept lifting up my shirt (embarassing in front of people) and kissing my belly. He now does that to his brother.

I agree that it is important to prepare the older child(ren) and include them in all preparation, this way they will accept and welcome the new arrival and be happy to share the limelight.  I think that having one-on-one time with that child is still important though also, so that they still have times that is just for them. 
Peace
EF.x 

I found it hard when i left my big baby(15 months) to go and have my little baby, i cried even though i new she would be fine. when i came home from hospital my eldest baby help bath,(pass the flannel, wash babys feet) she even really liked getting nappys for me, we went on tiny walks where she got to push the pram. I made the mistake of when i had my second baby, i told my elder daughter (4 at the time) that she was very fragile, i think this made her not wont to go near her, she does now though, they have a great time together. I also hate bottles but i got one for little baby so the big baby could feed her some water, she loves doing that.

you have written some great ideas, im sure everything will be fine, you seem a very caring mum thats looking to find as much information as possible. great advice.

I hope everything goes to plan for you.....You have some great ideas and I agree staying home in a familar place is a great idea for the other kids in the family.......Goodluck
Cheers
Angie

I have just been through this and I had been planning to the same. I too had never spent a night away form my 2 yr old daughter, unfortunately Lachlan came nearly 3 months early!!!!so all the planning went out the window.I was 3 hours away from her in a hospital she had never known anything about hospitals and we had told her I would only be there for a few days, I was there 3 weeks going home very rarely.Having to leave her was hard but he needed me more at that time(just the start of having more than one child) We all know how 2 yr olds behave so having her there was hard especially in the NICU but I needed her and she needed meand she needed to see why I wasn't there. We ended up getting her a gift each time she came, then we were moved to a closer hospital and I was home at night but gone all day,(thank god for my mum)so when I was home there arguments and tears from both of us Lachlan finally came home 11 weeks after he was born and she was so happy to have him home I think most of the dramas were forgotten, anyway what I'm trying to say is there may be problems but children are fairly adaptable and no matter what happens cuddles and kisses from mum and dad can do wonders. Try giving your son time where it is you and him time only and do it reguarly like bathtime when hubby is home to take the new baby or playtime during the day when the baby is asleep. I know it is hard you need time too but after a few weeks your son should settle and love his bro/sis so much, good luck!

This is going to be us in the next couple of weeks.  I'll let you know how it goes.  I think you make a great point about keeping things "the same" like having your toddler sleep in his own bed. 

As i have read it seems that you have already checked out my advice! I am sure you son will be happy with his gift!  I found that ''the gift'' made it easier on my own kids.

I'll have to keep them in mind, too.