Preparing Your Children for Baby's Arrival
If your child wants to, let him or her:
If the older sibling is not interested in helping with these activities, provide a planned activity for him or her while caring for the baby. Things you can do for your older child include:
In this article
- Ways to prepare your older child for the new baby.
- Involve your child in preparations for the new baby. If your child wants to, let him or her:
- Make the baby's homecoming a special event for the whole family.
- Involve your child in caring for the new baby.
- Have a learning session for your older child.
- Allow your older child to verbalize negative feelings toward the baby or you.
- Remind the older child that he or she is special, too.
- Encourage independent behavior.
Involve your child in caring for the new baby.
If your child wants to, let him or her:
- Fold or bring the diaper to you
- Help stock the baby's dressing table with diapers and supplies
- Help dress, burp, and feed the baby
- Smile and talk to the baby, especially when the baby is fussy (be sure to let the older child know you are aware that the baby is enjoying it)
- Hold the baby with supervision
- Share some (but not all) toys with the baby -- let your older child keep the toys that are very special to him or her
If the older sibling is not interested in helping with these activities, provide a planned activity for him or her while caring for the baby. Things you can do for your older child include:
- Bathe the new baby and older child at the same time if older child doesn't object.
- Assess the needs of your older child and plan to meet those needs before caring for the new baby.
Have a learning session for your older child.
- Undress your baby, talk about the different parts and functions of the body -- using correct terminology. Curiosity often can be satisfied by direct observation.
- Let your older child touch the baby as you emphasize "gently." Use the words "don't touch" as little as possible.
Allow your older child to verbalize negative feelings toward the baby or you.
- Tell your child that sometimes moms don't feel well during pregnancy. During those times and while you are in the hospital, dad and your older child may develop an even closer relationship. Take advantage of the developing relationship and encourage it.
- Talk, hold, and show affection to the sibling whenever you see signs of jealously or regressive behavior. Some children regress after a younger sibling is born. The areas that may be affected include eating, toileting, crying, and sleeping. Don't put your older child "down" because of his/her regression; rather, reassure your child and offer praise for his or her "big brother" or "big sister" actions and behavior.
- Praise positive behavior; ignore negative behavior. Reward only those behaviors you want to continue. You may want to use a task chart with gold stars to encourage positive behavior.