How to prepare older siblings for the arrival of the baby

Well, you have already bought the baby’s products including a baby stroller for preparing your new baby. However, have you prepared the other babies for the upcoming change? Bringing a new baby home can cause friction between the newborn and the other siblings. It is highly recommended for you to prepare the older sibling for the arrival of the baby. If you have more than two children, the challenge may not be as hard. This is because you will have already done it before.

Preparing the baby

When it comes to preparing for the baby, you need to start early. It is also important for both parents to prepare the children.

1. Preparing them during pregnancy

Pregnancy cannot be hidden; at some point the children will begin to notice the difference in you. You need to talk to the baby concerning the arrival of the baby. It is important to note that the baby may not understand the time period of the pregnancy. That means it will be difficult for you to explain to them in terms of months. You may opt to use seasons- that is you tell them the baby will arrive at a certain weather season like summer or winter. You must be prepared to answer all the questions they might have in regards to the pregnancy. Do not be alarmed when they ask you where babies come from. You need to apply caution when you are answering this question though. The more you talk to the children the more excited they will become. You may consider going with the baby to your check up- this is if they are okay with it. It is important to explain the changes that are going to occur when the baby arrives. It is very easy for you to be consumed with the arrival of the new baby to the extent you forget the other child. You need to keep the routines regular for the child. This is to say if the baby is approaching any big milestone, you may opt to make the changes way before the due date. If that is not possible, you may push the changes until the baby comes home.

2. Bringing the new born home

Once the baby has arrived, you may allow the other children to come see the baby at the hospital. It is said that it will increase children’s intimacy with the new baby. It is important for you to help the children adjust to the presence of the baby in the home. To achieve this, you need to involve the children on the daily activities that involve the newborn. Depending on the age of the baby, you may allow the children to help in one way or the other in taking care of the baby. You should not at any point in time allow the other children to see you breastfeed the baby. They may begin to feel left out and so you should entertain them with toys.