Welcoming a new baby into the family fills a home with love, blessings, joy, and worry!  Most parents are more secure and relaxed when expecting the second baby.  Sometimes it is easy to forget that perhaps the first child is feeling insecure.

It can be difficult to explain to a child that a new baby will be moving into the house.  We all want our homes to be full of love and goodwill toward each other.  With a little preparation, the transition can be made a bit easier.

Before the New Baby Arrives

1. Talk to the older sibling long before the due date.  Make it sound like a new baby will be exciting for him too.  Explain all of the fun things you can do as a family once the new baby arrives.
2. Allow the older sibling to help with the registry.  Let him pick out a few toys and outfits for the new baby.  If the older sibling feels some ownership over the new items, he may show less jealousy toward those new gifts.
3. Involve the older sibling in decorating the nursery.  He may be able to help arrange bottles of lotion or fold blankets.  The older sibling will feel like a very important helper!

In the Hospital

1. Shelter the older sibling from the scary parts.  It may even be helpful if mommy is wearing comfy looking pajamas instead of a hospital gown.  Discussing pain or blood could frighten the older sibling and make it sound like the new baby was a scary addition.
2. When the older sibling walks in, allow someone other than mommy or daddy to hold the new baby.  Make sure the older sibling feels like this is his time with mommy and slowly introduce the new baby.  Don’t force him to hold the baby or even talk to her.
3. Have a present hidden in the hospital room for the older sibling.  Pack it with the hospital bag, so he will have a surprise.  You could even tell the older sibling that the present came from the new baby.  This might help him understand that the new baby is a gift from God.

Back at Home

1. Schedule some one on one time with the older sibling.  Both mommy and daddy need to set aside special time to make the older sibling feel loved and important, even if it is only fifteen minutes at a time.
2. Try to keep the older sibling on his normal schedule as much as possible.  The normalcy will help him relax.

It isn’t easy to be a parent.  God throws challenges at us each and every day as we try to raise His children in God-pleasing ways.  With prayer and planning, welcoming the joy of a baby can be exciting for every member of the family.

Image Source: TheDatingDivas.Com

No related posts.