Parenting Tips: Ideas For Helping Your Child Adjust To The New Baby

As a mom of three kids, I know what it’s like to bring a new baby into the house.  For older siblings, seeing mom and dad bringing a new baby into the house can bring out all sorts of emotions, from jealousy to anger.  Some kids even go into a regression, regressing to their baby years, and acting like a baby.  This can include everything from wanting to be carried like a baby, to regression in potty training.

This type of behavior might be horrifying, but if you know how to prepare your children for having a younger sibling you can avoid it.  You might be incredibly excited about your new arrival, but it’s important to remember that your child may not feel the same.

 

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To help you prepare your child for having a new baby in the house, I have put together a few tips that you might find useful.

Tell them before anyone else

Once you find out that you are pregnant and have told your partner, make a point of telling your child before anyone else. If your little one knows that you wanted to tell them about their new sibling first, they will feel included.

Ask them if they have any questions

Often, when children find out that they will have a new sibling, they have lots of questions. Once you have told them about their new baby brother or sister, sit them down and ask whether there is anything that they want to ask you.

Include your child

Make a special effort to include your child in the preparations for the birth of their new sibling as much as you can.

If they are old enough, take them along to hospital appointments with you, so that they can see their little brother or sister on the ultrasound.  Perhaps you could also ask to get a second printout of your baby so that you can give it to your child – this will help to make them feel included.

When it comes to doing things like choosing the paint color of the nursery, ask your child to help you choose the color scheme.  Getting your child involved in tasks like this, will make them feel excited about the arrival of their new sibling.

Let them know what to expect

If you have any friends or relatives who have a new baby, take your child to their house to spend time with the baby. You need to give your child an idea of what they can expect when the new baby arrives, and allowing them to spend time with a baby is a great way to do this.    

Let them choose a present for the baby

A great way to help your child to get excited about their new brother or sister is by letting them choose a present to give to them once they are born.

Help your child to choose the perfect gift for their new baby sibling by looking at gifts online.  If you want your new arrival only to have organic items, look at the organic baby gifts at Makaboo.com – you should find something suitable.

Give your child a present from the baby

Your child will see the new baby getting lots of presents and might start to feel jealous, the best way to deal with it is by giving them a present from the baby.  If there is something that they have been wanting for a while, such as a new game or toy, get that for them from their new sibling.

These are only a few ideas to try to help prepare your family for the new arrival.  It can be hard for older children when a new sibling is born.