Bringing Baby Home to Siblings
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One of our first concerns when finding out that we were expecting another baby was how our daughter would react. While we look forward to the joy that a new baby brings, we also worry about how our daughter will react and adjust to no longer being the baby of the family. She has gotten used to getting the bulk of our attention, which we know will inevitably change when her new baby brother comes home.
Here are some of the tips I’ve learned for how to prepare her for the new baby’s arrival.
- Before the New Baby Arrives
- Involve the baby’s siblings in the pregnancy as much as possible – show them the sonogram pictures, let them feel your pregnant belly when the baby moves or kicks, and encourage them to talk to, read to, or sing to the baby.
- Encourage siblings to ask any questions they might have and talk to you about the baby. Answer their questions and concerns with honesty and kindness.
- Consider giving siblings a baby doll to play with, feed and change. This will help him or her to understand some of the tasks involved with an infant and may encourage him or her to help out with the new little one.
- Let them help out with preparing for the baby’s arrival, such as helping with the laundry or putting baby’s toys away.
- While caring for an infant can be a full time job, be sure to spend individual quality time with the baby’s siblings so that no one feels left out or neglected. For example, hire a babysitter or ask someone to watch the baby while you go for a walk with the baby’s siblings.
- Consider bringing home a gift from the new baby for big brothers and sisters.
- Let siblings care for and help with the baby once he or she is at home, such as mixing bottles, changing diapers or singing or reading to the baby.
After the New Baby Arrives
What are your tips or tricks for family harmony when bringing a new baby home?
Multi-Tasking Mommy says...
We are about to be in that situation ourselves and I was planning on writing a post with regards to the same issue. I will probably write a post, if that is ok with you, linking to yours and adding some more thoughts and ideas on the topic. It is a worry, that is for sure and until the baby comes home you really don’t know how the sibling(s) will react, do you?
Multi-Tasking Mommys last blog post..Widening Wednesday Week 35