If your family is expecting a baby, then congratulations! Preparations over the coming months will include many things, including getting your toddler ready to prepare for the important role of becoming the older sibling. The child may react to the news with no specific emotion, joy, or anger – remember, it’s normal. A lot of toddlers won’t necessarily understand the changes the arrival of a baby will bring, and you will have to ensure the new family dynamic won’t upset your firstborn and won’t lead to any unwanted drama in your family.
How to get ready for the adjustment period, and how do you take all the hurdles it may bring? The team at My ObGYN Specialists has prepared the answers for you in this article.
Preparing Your Children for a New Baby: During Pregnancy
How to prepare your toddler for a new baby? Navigating between newborns and their siblings can make massive changes in your life, too, so you will want to share the big news while you are still pregnant. Tell the big news with excitement and joy, and give your toddler literal, simple answers. For instance, tell them that the baby comes from your tummy and will arrive when the weather gets hot, cold, etc.
Before even introducing the new baby to your toddler, make sure to familiarize them with the concept of having a sibling and prepare them for the arrival of the baby. Remind them that they were once babies, too, and you may make them feel more involved by asking them for advice on topics such as clothing, toys, or bedding. Better yet, go shopping and let them pick out a few toys or a pair of PJs.
Newborns and siblings will get along better if the older sister/brother is involved in the process of preparing for the arrival of the little one.
Still, when preparing children for the new baby, you should expect some moodiness. For example, as your tummy grows, picking up your toddler might become more difficult, which may lead to a bit of moodiness and even tantrums. No matter the reaction, it’s essential to listen to the child and not make them feel bad for their reaction.
Prepare Yourself As Well
Introducing a new baby to a toddler can be a bit challenging, so it’s always a good idea to research the topic for yourself before the tiny sibling arrives. Fortunately, there’s a lot of literature available on the topic, and you can always reach out to professional help if you are facing difficulties or have any concerns/questions, or doubts.
On that note, you should also remember that you shouldn’t rush things with the older sibling. If you are thinking about moving the toddler to a bigger bed to free up the crib or want to speed up potty training, you might want to hold these things off for a bit. To avoid overstimulating the older sibling with new changes (and to save your sanity), hit the pause button on most milestones. Yes, the baby will need the crib, eventually, but you can also consider using a play yard or cradle for the first few weeks/months.
Focus on The Toddler As Well
Toddlers are self-centered as they don’t know that much about their place in the world. You will have to deal with their ego, and the best thing you can do is to feed it by telling them that they will be an excellent older sister or brother and that you will need their help around the baby.
To make things even easier, consider getting a baby-sized doll for your toddler, who can practice feeding, changing, and holding the baby.
Develop a Plan
As the due date gets closer, you will also need to think about what will happen if you need to go to the hospital and stay there. Ensure to tell your toddler that you will still be caring for them, and they will be able to visit you in the hospital after the baby is born.
Most experts recommend the toddler be the first family member to meet the baby and make sure to keep things private to get a natural reaction from your older child without any crowd present. Then, as more and more people will come to see the baby, let the older sibling play the role that comes naturally to them. If they are shy around the baby, let them be shy. If they want to introduce everyone to their young sibling, let them be the master of ceremonies.
Life At Home: Dealing With Toddler Regression
While your family adapts to its altered dynamics, it’s crucial to bear in mind that your older child may not readily embrace their new role. It shouldn’t come as a surprise if they express a desire to use a bottle or nurse again, experience occasional bathroom accidents, resort to baby talk, or even request to sleep in the crib, especially if it was once exclusively theirs.
It’s advisable to remain patient and avoid becoming upset when you experience toddler regression. In fact, it’s essential not to react negatively. Your child’s actions are their way of communicating their apprehension about their evolving role within the family. Instead, continue to offer them additional affection through extra hugs, and be sure to shower them with praise when they exhibit behaviors characteristic of a “big kid.”
Ask For “Help”
Involve your firstborn and have them actively help around the baby. They can push the stroller, fetch the diapers, or even help with dressing the baby. This is especially important if the preschooler wants to help: welcome their efforts even if the tasks become longer with the extra set of hands.
Remember, there will be things that will make the older kids feel a bit left out (like breastfeeding, for instance). Still, you may breastfeed in front of the TV and watch a show together to mediate the problem.
Getting The Hang of It
Remember to set aside special time for the older sibling as well, as it’s easy to get sidetracked and focus completely on the newborn. As a matter of fact, focusing on both kids can be a bit challenging at first, but with the right approach, both children will get the time with you they deserve. Ensure that your newborn gets all the attention it needs while the older sibling feels loved and needed in this special and joyous time.
That said, if you have any questions or concerns regarding this topic, you can always turn to expert help. Feel free to reach out to us to voice your concerns. We’re here to help.