New baby arrival: how to prepare the older child

How to prepare the child for a new baby

• Prepare them for the change

Ahead of the arrival of the baby, you will need to talk to your older children and prepare them. Talk to them about where the baby will sleep, when is he arriving, etc.

• Start early

Don’t wait until the last trimester to prepare your other kids. Start early, and share ultrasound images, let them feel the baby kick, record the fetus’s heartbeat and have them listen to it.

• Create a relationship

You can create a relationship between the unborn baby and the older siblings by giving them gifts and telling them these are from the unborn baby. This cute move goes a long way, especially with younger siblings.

• Don’t let the siblings left out

When the baby arrives, and friends and family start bringing gifts, ask them to also bring a small gift for the older child or children. To avoid any feelings of jealousy by the older siblings.

• Have the siblings involved

It helps a lot when the older siblings are involved in caring for the newborn baby. Let your children help with feeding, and diaper change by giving you supplies or holding the baby bottle. This will let the older child feel responsible because he or she is older.

• Be flexible

Children across ages experience different emotions during transitional periods like the arrival of a baby so we must be flexible in our expectations, and you need to have a lot of patience.

• One change at a time

It is recommended not to put your child through another change, such as moving houses or hiring a new house help or changing schools, around the time the baby is arriving.

• Seek help

If you can’t handle changes in your children’s behavior or emotions, don’t hesitate to ask for help from a psychologist. You don’t need to struggle in silence motherhood doesn’t need to be hard we are here to help you and support you.

• It will get better

Transitional periods like the arrival of a newborn might look like a struggle, but with time, the proper management of this transition, in addition to the support from family, friends, and your child’s school this too shall pass, and any changes in your child’s behavior will go back to be normal again.

Important note!

No matter how you plan for the arrival of your newborn, you can’t predict your child’s reaction unless the baby arrives.

With younger siblings, it might be a challenge to communicate the idea of a new family member arriving. With older children, it might be easier.

 

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