We got this handout from our pediatrician when I was pregnant with E.
BEFORE THE BABY ARRIVES...
- If your child asks "why?" you are having a new baby, don't try to find a reason. Just explain simply that your family is having another baby.
- Allow your child to make many small decisions every day so she still feels some sense of control in her life. Let her choose her clothing, her food, the books to read.
- Use "emotion" words with your child so he becomes used to hearing and using words like "excited", "disappointed", and "sad". This will help him learn to use words to express his emotions rather than actions.
- Allow your child to have "mixed-up" emotions about the new baby. She does not have to be excited ALL the time. Let her know that it is acceptable to express her disappointment that a new baby is coming.
- Choose some small gifts and wrap them so you will have them available for your older child to open when friends bring gifts for the new baby.
- Choose one nice gift for the baby to bring home from the hospital to be the big brother or big sister.
- MAKE CERTAIN that your older child is sleeping NOW in the same place he will be sleeping when the new baby comes home. Make any changes several months before the baby's expected birth.
- Let your child help you make choices for the new baby. Maybe she can select the color of the new blanket, a new toy for the baby, or decide where the crib will be placed.
- Let your child play with a doll and learn how to hold a baby properly. You can also teach him what "gentle" mean - soft, slow, and quiet.
- Read books about becoming a big brother or big sister. There are also lovely books which show the unborn baby's development that children can enjoy. You can also show your child his own baby pictures.
- Set aside a special place - a box, a drawer, a cupboard - for the toys that your older child will not have to share. This is also a great way to keep small toys away from the younger infant.
- Let your child come with you to your medical appointments. Some hospitals have a sibling preparation class which may be helpful.
- You may want to tape record yourself reading some bedtime stories so your child can listen to them while you are in the hospital.
Is anyone giving your child a new baby brother or sister soon?
Comments (5)
We are expecting number 2 any time now. My daughter is almost 26 months old and seems excited about the new baby, but we'll see how she feels about baby when he/she arrives and is taking up all my time and energy
@beckyjo82@xanga - It's tough because there will be a lot of times when both will need your attention. My husband in out of town for training for work, and it's definitely challenging these couple of days. It breaks my heart that I can't be there for #1 when I'm feeding #2. But she loves the little one. Congrats on your new arrival. Good luck with labor and delivery.
We're expecting the end of August. Definitely looking for some good tips on how to adjust big brother to little sister. He's full of energy and normally the center of attention so it'll be a huge adjustment for him. I kept two of my sister's kids last week (ages 3 and 4) and he was super jealous over the silliest of little things. I'm nervous about how he'll respond to the baby, but I've got some fun, new toys for him that I plan to wrap for him before the birth.
My sister-in-law is about to have another one toward the end of January. My niece will be just over 24 months then, think it's a good idea to start with the baby doll?
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