Is a doll a suitable for a 1 yr old and if so, whats the best one?

freda

My DD was 16 months when DS was born. To be honest, she didn't really do any 'make believe' play till she was at least 17.5 months or older, when she started giving teddy drinks from a play tea set. She had a doll - just a hand me down one - but showed no signs of equating it with a baby at all till very recently. She did, however, start to walk around patting her teddy on the back, like I did with DS a lot in the early weeks.

I think a doll is a great idea, but don't expect her to use it straight away, she may need to be a bit older. I think DD thought that DS was a teddy bear when we brought him home, we are sure that she called him 'teddy' for a few weeks. She seemed to realise he was another person and here to stay when he was a few weeks old, and had his eyes open more. She got a lot more clingy at this point.

I found tv the most useful tool in the first few weeks - CBeebies was a god send. I really don't like plonking DD in front of the tv, but it was a necessity for a few weeks. I do it a lot less now. So maybe get a few DVDs or nursery rhyme CDs from the library if you don't have freeview.

Other things that were useful were a big stash of books - easy to entertain DD with while feeding DS.

arthur_dent_2

Our household started off with one doll when dd2 was about 4 months old (it just sat at the end of the cot). She is now 5 and we have approx 40 dolls, 3 cots, a swing, a highchair, a bath and a bath set, several carriers, 3 prams and nore blankets and accesories than you know what to do with. Most of these have been acquired for just a couple of pounds from car boot sales and she adores them. Always looking to get the thing that she hasn't got!

the_other_mce

TomsMom wrote: »

Can I suggest that your new baby brings your one year old a dolly baby as a present? That way Mom and one year old will both have new babies together?

This is something I did when I had my second child (many years ago I might add!). Although my daughter was 3 at the time, it meant an awful lot to her that her new brother brought her a present when he entered the world. That way she didn't feel left out. Maybe your nearly one year old isn't old enough to feel left out, but just in case she does notice that the new little bundle is taking attention away from her it might just help for the new baby to have thought of his/her sister.

Good luck, and I'm sure you'll cope just fine.

This is a great idea - my new baby brought her big sister (who was nearly 2) a baby doll. It was under her cot in the hospital when she came to visit....
DD1 loved the doll and her new sister - but still insisted on helping/doing everything for the real baby!!! Best wishes to you -it's great to have little ones close together - they really do have a friend for life!

LillyJ

It might be useful as when my sister was born I was 18 months old and apparently very confused by it all.
I got angry with her as my Dad told me to give her a present (I chose to give her a My Little Pony) and when I gave it to her, she didn't take it or say thankyou which I thought was very rude:rotfl:

I am sure it will be fine, just make sure she realises that although she can pull the doll around and drop it, that her new sibling isn't a doll and could get hurt.

I used to sit on the sofa and "hold" my sister, (really she was just laid down with her head on my knee and my mum holding her) and realised that she was delicate, and that I had to cuddle and kiss her gently and not squeeze her hard, or ever pick her up on my own.

Judi101

If you get her a big doll then you can 'pass down' your newborn size clothes to the doll when the new arrival grows out of them. When she is capable enough get her a cheap collapsable buggy (Asda do them for £4). My DD got a buggy and big dolly for her first birthday. She is now 2.5 and doll and pushchair go to the shops with us and all over - so pleased we got a little buggy thats easy to fold down to go in the car boot. Also great for taking on holidays to keep her entertained!

squashy

There is a lovely one in the Disney Store that is def. suitable from 12 months, it is soft bodied and also cries/giggles/says mama when you squeeze its tummy. It was £8 I think.