How to Tell a Toddler About a New Baby
The addition of a new baby to the house can throw some toddlers into a tailspin. Toddlers who are accustomed to a lot of undivided attention from you will now have to share that attention with your new arrival. With a little preparation and some extra love and care, you can help your toddler adjust to his baby sibling.
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Instructions
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Prepare your toddler by being open and honest about how the new baby will affect her life. Newborns are noisy and demanding, and won't be able to play with your toddler right away, so ensure that your toddler understands this.
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Take your toddler to visit friends who have new babies so she begins to grow comfortable with being around newborns. Let her know that soon a new baby will come to live in her house.
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Read your toddler age-appropriate books about the arrival of siblings. Encourage her to ask questions about how the new baby will fit into her life.
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Tell the toddler that inside her mommy's round belly is a new baby brother or sister for her to love.
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Show her an ultrasound photograph of the new baby and point out the body parts.
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Introduce the idea of a new sibling by telling your toddler what it was like when you were expecting her. Let her know how excited you were when she arrived, and show her some of her own baby pictures.
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Involve your toddler in the planning and preparation activities for the new baby. Allow her to help you get the baby's room ready by choosing a paint color, stacking diapers in the changing table and putting baby clothes in drawers.
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Give your toddler extra love and attention during the months leading up to the arrival of the new baby, so that she realizes she will always be an important part of your life and that she isn't being replaced.
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Tips & Warnings
Once the new baby arrives, ask a close friend or family member to watch the baby so you can occasionally spend some alone time with your toddler.
Don't tell the toddler about the impending arrival of a new sibling too early. Telling her a month in advance is plenty of time.
Avoid making any big changes to your toddler's life or schedule before the new baby arrives. Don't move her into another bedroom or bring her to a new playgroup in the month before you bring the new baby home.
