Having a baby is going to change your life, and if you already have a child, then that child’s life is also in for a drastic change. You have to prepare your first-born child for the arrival of a new sibling so that the transition is as smooth as possible. The types of preparations you take should depend on how old your child is.
If you have a toddler, you have to be very diligent in emotionally readying your toddler for the new baby. It will be difficult for your kid to comprehend what is going on when mommy’s belly starts to expand. There are several children’s books with vivid illustrations that can help your toddler see what is happening – visual explanations are very helpful at this age. You should visit friends with babies so that your child can see what a baby is like. The more exposure your child has to babies, the better prepared he or she will be. You should also take your toddler to the hospital to see the newborn babies. Exposing your toddler to babies will help to build excitement about the birth. However, you should also make sure that you and your spouse spend quality time with your first-born child before the second one is born so that he or she does not get the impression that this new baby is taking over before even being born. Your child has to be confident that he is not going to be replaced by the newborn. He has to understand that this is going to be “his” brother or sister, and that this baby is going to be a part of “his” family. Talk with your child frequently about what to expect when the baby comes home from the hospital – diaper changing, breastfeeding, crying, bathing, etc.
All of these things will be new events to your child, and your job is to give your toddler the most accurate information about what to expect. Let your child pick out some gifts for the new baby, such as toys or blankets. When the baby is born, let your child come into the hospital room to see you before you introduce him to the baby so that he doesn’t become overwhelmed. After visiting with your first-born child for a few minutes, bring in the new baby, and see what happens. There is no way of knowing exactly how your child will react until you are in that situation. In most cases, however, your child will be very enchanted by the newborn and will be excited to touch and talk to the baby. If your child becomes very nervous, do not force him – just let your child take in the situation naturally. Despite your preparatory conversations, it is harder for some kids than others to comprehend that there would really be a person as a result of these last nine months. Be comforting to your child; talk to him about his feelings. The first few weeks and months after the birth will be both trying and exciting. Try not to get overwhelmed by all of the changes – this is a time in your life and in your children’s lives that is meant to be cherished. You should try to keep your toddler’s routine as close to what it was before the baby was born as possible – an upheaval of a toddler’s routine can be very hard for them to adjust to. You don’t want your child to feel like he is playing second fiddle to his new brother or sister. If you can get a babysitter for a few hours, such as a close friend or family member, take the opportunity to go out for some “alone time” with your first-born child while the newborn stays home. If you can make sure that your child does not feel threatened by the baby, then you will be laying a solid foundation for a relationship to flourish between the two of them.
The older your child is, the easier it should be for them to adjust to the birth of a new baby. An older child can be more actively involved, which helps them to feel instantly bonded to their newborn sibling. You should be open to letting your older child get involved with the new baby – just make sure that the involvement is voluntary, not forced. You should also ask your older child if he or she would be interested in attending a class on child safety at the hospital that is designed for children who are about to get a new brother or sister. These classes will often teach kids how to perform CPR, how to change diapers, how to bathe a baby, how to burp a baby, and more. The more capable your older child feels in his or her ability to care for a newborn, the better the transition will be for your growing family.
