How to Ease Your Child's Concerns About a New Sibling
The arrival of a new sibling is an exciting time for most members of the family. While mom and dad, as well as grandparents, are eagerly anticipating the new arrival, existing siblings may have mixed feelings. You may be surprised that feelings of jealousy and sibling rivalry develop before the baby even arrives, but this is normal behavior. Your child doesn't have a lot of experience to draw from and doesn't know what to expect when the new baby arrives, so it makes sense that he is anxious and worried, even if he is also excited.
Instructions
Tell your child you are expecting a baby before everyone else knows. This is a big event, and, if he overhears it from someone else, he will feel left out from the beginning. Explain what your older sibling should expect. Let her know a new baby sleeps a lot, requires a lot of attention and won't be very exciting in the beginning. Listen to your child's concerns. Regardless of how small or outlandish your child's concerns about the new baby are, taking the time to listen and reassure him will help him feel more comfortable about the new addition. Make any changes to the routine as early in your pregnancy as possible. If your daughter is showing interest in potty training, go ahead and tackle that as soon as possible. If you plan to transition your child to a new bed or room, do it early on so she won't feel uprooted by the new addition. Expect some regression in your child's behavior. It is normal for your child to revert to some "baby-like" behavior when faced with the arrival of a new sibling. Rather than make a big deal about it, take every opportunity to point out the things your child can do, such as brushing his own teeth or picking out his own outfits, because he is so big. Ask your health care provider if the hospital you are using offers classes for the older sibling. Many hospitals provide a short class in what to expect from a new brother or sister, as well as a chance to look around the postpartum area of the hospital. Seeing where you will stay when you are away can help ease some of your child's anxiety. Encourage your child to help with some of the preparations for his new sibling. He may be able to help arrange the nursery, put stamps on thank-you cards and have a hand in selecting what outfit the baby wears home from the hospital.
