Prepare Your First Born Child For A New Baby
ByLet You First Born Be Involved
Be sure to include your child in your new baby’s arrival from the start. Tell him or her that they are about to be a big brother or sister. Be sure to explain to your child how important his role in the family will be and the benefits that this will have. Be sure and express to your child that you will always love him just as much as before and now he will be loved even more from his new sibling. Teach him that he will be loved more and not less. Allow him to help with making decisions regarding the baby. Even a two year old will appreciate being included and helping in the decision making process. For example suggest taking him shopping with you to buy a cool baby gift, let him choose between two choices which he thinks his new brother or sister will like the best.
Let him assist in helping decorate the nursery
Even if that help is confined to putting small objects on a low shelf let him help. Allow your child to pick out a special toy to give to his new sibling. You might also choose a small toy for your older child that will be from the new baby to present when the baby comes home. As you go through the pregnancy answer your childs questions regarding the changes you are going through and allow him or her to feel the baby move in your belly.
Make Him Feel Special and Important
Any young child is bound to feel a bit jealous when they see all the new things that the baby is getting like cool baby clothes from showers. You can combat this feeling by either suggesting that the guests bring a big brother or sister gift as well or by having a separate “big brother or sister” celebration for the child. A few small gifts given simply because he now has a new role in the family will make your child look forward to the role he will be having from now on.
Show You Child the Hospital Nursery
If at all possible arrange with the hospital staff to take your child on a tour of the delivery room and nursery. Expressing that this will be where your new brother or sister will stay until arriving home. Let your child feel important by telling him or her that you need their help keeping dad company until you return, so that they are feeling helpful. Giving your child a little reassurance and including them in the plans for the new babies arrival will help them to accept and look forward to the changes that are taking place. Always being sure to include your first born will make the adjustment to your brand new baby that much easier for both of you.