Are you expecting your second child?
Are you worried about how your firstborn will react to the new arrival?
Are you worried you won’t be able to love another child as much as you love your first?
If so, this week’s blog is for you! We’re looking at how to introduce a new baby to your older child(ren) to make this huge change in your lives as smooth as possible.
Feeling worried about how your child will react to their new sibling and having worries that you won’t be able to love another child as much as you love the child you already have are completely normal.
We have good news for you! Once your little one arrives you’ll realise that there is plenty of love to go around for all of your children.
That said, getting a new sibling can be hard on little children so these are our top tips for making it as positive experience as possible for your big little one!
Plan the first meeting
Whether you plan to give birth at home or in the hospital plan the first time your older child will meet your baby.
Try not to be holding the baby the first time your child meets them. Have your arms free to give your older child lots of love and attention first and then bring the baby in for a cuddle too.
Prepare your visitors
Ask people to make a fuss your older child as well as they baby when they come to visit. Getting a gift for older siblings as well as the baby is a nice way to make them feel included.
Don’t suddenly start calling them ‘big’
It might be tempting to start referring to your older sibling as the big one and expecting them to behave as such but this could be quite jarring for a child who has always been the baby of the family and now their place has suddenly been taken by a new addition. Ask visitors and other family members not to do this too.
Get them their own baby
It might be useful to get your older child their own baby doll that they can care for while you are busy with the baby. They could change their nappy or feed them at the same time.
Invest in a good sling
A good sling when you are caring for a newborn and a toddler is a life-saver! You can pop baby in the sling where they’ll be happy to be close to you while your hands are free to play with your older child.
Make a special feeding box
It can be hard for older children to have to wait while you are feeding your baby. Why not prepare a box of activities in advance that only come out when you are feeding baby then go away again once you are finished.
Don’t ‘blame’ the baby
Try not to say phrases like ‘I can’t do that for you now I’m holding the baby’. Instead try phrases like ‘my hands are busy now I’ll help you as soon as I can’.
Make time for 1-2-1 time
We know this is hard, especially when you are recovering from birth and are sleep deprived but if you are able to, try and have some regular one-on-one time with your older child even if it’s just an hour here and there. Spend time away from the baby (in another room while someone else watches the baby) and focus completely on them for the time you’re together (no phones or other distractions).