Toddler and Baby
Preparing your Toddler for Your Family's New Addition
Tips on how to make your toddler feel more prepared for the arrival of a new sibling in the family.
Thinking of having a second child? Maybe you are already pregnant and are wondering how your toddler will react to the new baby. Here are few tips on preparing your toddler for the family’s newest addition:
- · Involve your toddler in your current pregnancy as much as you can. He or she is going to naturally be curious about babies. Bring them along to prenatal check-ups so they can listen to the baby’s heartbeat and watch the doctor measure your belly. It may help make the pregnancy more real for them.
- · Don’t talk too much about what the baby will be like in the next year or two. Let your toddler know what the baby will be like when he or she arrives. You don’t want your toddler being disappointed that their new baby brother or sister can’t play with their toys or chase them around the house. If you can, visit another family with a really young baby so your toddler will know what to expect.
- · Some hospitals, childbirth associations and adoption agencies are now offering sibling preparation classes. Your toddler may benefit from something like this.
- · Give your toddler a small gift from their new brother or sister. It could be a new book or activity that you could enjoy together while the baby is eating or sleeping.
- · Let your toddler make some decisions when shopping for the new baby. Let them pick out color of sleepers, diapers, decorations, etc. It will help your toddler feel like they have more control.
- · Let your toddler know what will happen with them while you are in labour. Tell them who will be taking care of them and when they will see you again. This will reassure them everything will be okay.
- · Don’t have high expectations of the first meeting between your toddler and the new baby. Your toddler may be whiny and clingy because you have been separated for a bit and this new sibling has stirred up a lot of commotion.
- · Make sure you make time each day to do something with just you and your toddler. Whether it is reading a book or just cuddling on the couch, it is special time between the two of you.
- · Have a friend or relative do something special with your toddler shortly after the arrival of the new baby. A special outing with Grandma and Grandpa could assure your toddler that they are just as special as they were before the new baby came along.
The copyright of the article Toddler and Baby in Infants & Toddlers is owned by Tanya Campbell. Permission to republish Toddler and Baby must be granted by the author in writing.
