A new sibling can be an exciting event for a child, or it can be the most dreaded. For parents, there are many ways to prepare for this new addition. The babies don’t care if they get up in the middle of the night and someone else is already asleep; they need attention, love, and warmth as much as ever.
Here are a few tips on how to help your child prepare for a new sibling.
The best way to prepare your child for the new baby is, to be honest. Tell your child that you are pregnant and that in a few months there will be another baby in the family. Tell him what will happen, and let him ask questions.
Talk About The Pregnancy
Be sure to talk about the pregnancy with him by pointing out how his mother is growing and asking about what it feels like inside. Ask if he has noticed any changes in Mommy’s tummy.
Talk about the baby and let him ask questions. Tell him things like, “Each baby has two kidneys” and “The babies are very different from each other, but they’re all little brothers or sisters.” Tell your child where babies come from.
Tell your child that you will be allowing his baby to sleep in his room on the floor. Ask if he would like that. If he says yes, start setting up the nursery. Ask him if he wants to help set up the crib and get it ready.
If your child is over the age of 3, help him understand that babies need diaper changing and that he will be doing this when his baby brother or sister gets here. Let him help you put away his toys or help you with putting away the laundry.
Ask the child if he would like to help pick out diapers and clothing with you. And of course, let him choose the name.
If your child is older, let him/her be a big brother or sister. Let her take part in the decision-making. Get her input and allow her opinion to count.
Be sure to make preparations for the new baby before it is born. If you have room in your car or at work, create a space for carrying around the baby’s items, like bottles and diapers.
Let Them Take Their Time With This
There are many ways in which a new sibling can affect a child; however, the best thing that parents can do is let them take their time with it. Make sure you and your child know where to go if they need help, and make sure they understand how they should react when they are around the baby.
Set aside some time to give them questions without making it seem like you expect an answer right away, but instead making it seem almost like an afterthought. Let them know that no matter what happens, you will always love them and will always be there for them.
Just let them take their time with this. They’ll be happy in the end for sure.
Know What Each Child Prefers
Whether you choose to let your child help plan the nursery, or if you let your child decide what they want in the nursery, make sure that they know how to get things done.
They may want a mobile or a rocking chair in the nursery but are unsure of how to get it there. If it’s something they want, talk over with them how they can get whatever it is they want.
They may not be sure of something, or too young to plan out the nursery, but that doesn’t mean they don’t have a choice. Make sure they look at different options and help them come up with their own opinion on things.
Pay attention to your child’s reaction to the new baby when he or she is born. If your child is being hurtful, or not just being shy, then you may need to seek outside help.
If your friends or family have gone through this you may ask them what they did. If they didn’t do anything, but they still have a very caring and happy relationship with their new sibling, then you should try doing nothing as well.
If things don’t change and there are no improvements after a few weeks, though, it may be worth looking into.
Give Them Space
Let your child get used to the new baby before forcing a big relationship. Offer to hold the baby when your child wants, but don’t force it. Make your child feel like they have the option of loving this little stranger.
If you force attention on the new baby, your child may feel like he doesn’t have a choice in accepting him as a sibling and that could cause problems in the future as well.
Let them know that you will always be there for them and that you are there for both of them. Let them know that they can come to you if they don’t like something about the baby.
This is probably the best way to help your child learn how to accept and love this new sibling, but things will change over time with time.
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