Preparing Siblings for a Baby's Arrival

Throughout Pregnancy

• Including your children in all pregnancy-related events, from announcing your pregnancy to having a baby shower, may help them feel that they are not being forgotten, according to pediatrician and author William Sears. Explaining how you will spend your time once the baby arrives may also help your children understand the changes to come so they will be better prepared for your initial preoccupation with the new baby's needs. Your children may appreciate getting to talk to the baby during your pregnancy or feeling your stomach when the baby kicks as a way for them to feel connected to their new sibling.

Before Birth

• A new baby's arrival can be a fearful time for young children. They may worry that you'll love the new baby more, or that you won't have time for them any more. They may worry that they won't know what to do with the new baby, too. Parents should encourage their kids to talk about any fears or concerns they have about the new baby, according to KidsHealth. Asking your children for name ideas or help decorating the nursery, or visiting friends who have babies, can also be helpful for adjusting siblings. Helping to prepare your home can encourage your children to be invested in the new little one, and visiting other families with a new baby can give them an idea of what to expect. Take the opportunity to spend lots of quality time with your older children, especially toward the end of your pregnancy. They may feel less threatened by the impending arrival of the baby if they understand that they will still get plenty of quality time.

Life After Baby

• The day has come -- your new bundle of joy has finally arrived! Older siblings may enjoy receiving a present "from" the baby, like "big sister" shirts. They may also enjoy helping your partner put together a "welcome home" party for you and the baby, according to Dr. William Sears. Since older siblings may feel left out, with so much focus on the new baby, now is an ideal time to get family members and friends to spend time with them. KidsHealth points out that you might want to remind everyone that older siblings may also want to talk or think about something other than the baby for a little while. You can also do double duty and spend some time focusing on your older children while the baby is feeding, by reading together or chatting about their day, to reinforce their understanding that you still have time for them, even though the baby has many immediate needs as a newborn.

Additional Information

• A new baby can bring many challenges, and older children may regress a little in their development, according to KidsHealth. These changes are normal and tend to be short-term. Older siblings may also have a desire to feel needed, so having them fetch diapers or bring bottles when the baby arrives can go a long way in fostering positive relations, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics. If your children are still struggling to adjust, ask your pediatrician about what you can do to ease the transition.