Welcoming a New Sibling

[Photo: Pixabay]

The arrival of a new baby can be emotionally difficult for your older child. Your child may feel insecure or fear what it means to have a new baby in the family. They could start to misbehave or show signs of regression (loss of skills they already had mastered). You will have a very important role in how the relationship between siblings develops. It is important to prepare your child to embrace and understand their new role as older sibling, emphasizing that your love for them is unwavering.

Your child's personality and age influences how they may react to the new baby. An outgoing girl may be very happy to have a little sister. A shy girl may perhaps show more concern. Your older child's age will affect his ability to share your attention with the new baby. A 2-year-old child, for example, is still very dependent on you. Also, if there is a lot of stress within the family, adapting your older child may be more difficult.

There is much that can be done to prepare your child before the new baby is born:

• Talk about the envelope you can expect, about how it will help to welcome the new baby, and about the role you will have with the new baby.

• Read books and tell stories about the arrival of a new baby

• Tell him often how much you love him and how important he is to you

When the new baby arrives:

• Siblings can exchange gifts. Prepare a special gift from baby to older brother/sister.

• Ask people who come to visit the baby to pay special attention to your older child as well.

• Spend special time dedicated solely to your older child to help him/her feel special.

• Help your daughter talk about her positive and negative emotions about the new baby. It is important to communicate to understand their feelings.

• Teach your child how to safely touch and treat baby.

• Make sure your older child has their own things and spaces that they don't need to share with anyone.

• Try to involve your older child with special tasks to help with the baby, for example bringing diapers or choosing the baby’s clothes.

• Talk about the benefits of being the older sibling. Older children can decide what they eat or if they want to go outside to play, while babies can't do those things.

By preparing and talking to your child, your child will understand that he/she will always have a special place in your heart.