middle child syndrome?

My daughter is 5 and my son is 17 months and I'm due to have another boy Sept. 19th. My question is this: how can i care for the new baby and not let my second child feel neglicted(sp?)? He is so attached to me and get very upset when he sees me with another baby. He wants all of my attention even when I'm with his sister. I don't know how I can prepare him for the new baby. I feel guilty because I won't be able to give him the attention that he is use to once the baby arrives. Any sugestions?

Get him a baby (yeah i know girl thing but who cares) show him how to take care of it and show him what mommy has to do with the new baby. Show him that mommies have to change baby and feed baby. He will only understand so much my son was 21 months when my daughter was born he understood much more once sissy was home. And just make sure you take him out alone after the baby is here. Go to MCD's or something just so he knows mommy didnt forget about him. Just take him alone and he will get it but it might take some time.

I agree about the baby...my oldest was two when his little sister was born and we got him a doll. HE would sit with it and nurse it or feed it a bottle while I nursed. It was so cute! My hubby was a little nervous but I kept repeating that it's teaching him to be a good daddy and big brother, not teaching him to be a girl.

Anyway, you can also have him help you with the baby, get the diapers, wipes, etc. When you are sitting with baby and feeding him/her you can read a book to your little guy (have him hold it and turn the pages...big boy!) or get him a little snack or drink to have with you. I also used to have him get something together that I could play with him after I was done nursing. Like "Why don't you get all your blocks together over there and when Gracie's done eating we'll build a tower!"

And, yes, try to spend a little time with him that's just with him, and the same with dada too...it doesn't have to be daily, but a time that he knows is all his gives him something to look forward to. Good luck.