How to Prepare Siblings for a New Baby

Whether baby makes four, five or six, the change in your family will undoubtedly both excite and confuse your children.

Difficulty: Moderately challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Children's Books
• Ultrasound Photographs
• Baby Dolls
• Baby Toys
• Infant/toddler Toys

1. Wait until Mom is showing before breaking the news; this will make the wait seem shorter for siblings-to-be.

2. Involve your children by letting them listen to Mom's belly and feel for hiccups and kicks.

3. Allow young ones to ask questions about the baby's impact on their lives.

4. Give your children a doll to introduce them to the concept of a new baby. Teach them how to change diapers and bathe the doll.

5. Show your children the ultrasound photo of the new baby, then bring out their own ultrasound photos and discuss similarities and differences.

6. Read books together about children who have brothers and sisters.

7. Bring a present to the hospital for each of the siblings so they can receive it as soon as their new brother or sister is born. Explain that the present is from the baby.

8. Give the baby a small present from each brother and sister, and let the siblings find a good place for the gifts in the baby's room.

Tips & Warnings

• Children may have serious concerns about where the baby will sleep, whether the baby will play with their toys, and how much he or she will divert Mom and Dad's attention from them. Respond to all questions thoughtfully and with reassurances.
• Although your goal is to encourage a bond between siblings and new babies, caution your older children specifically about any actions that could harm the baby - for example, accidentally smothering the baby with a blanket, hitting the baby or trying to feed the baby solid food.

Who Can Help:

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