OH BABY
MARCH 2021 D3
THE NORTH PLATTE TELEGRAPH
Preparing a Sibling for Baby
Consider playing their favorite game or reading a book together while the baby naps or is eating. When possible, ask your partner or a loved one to babysit for an afternoon so you can take your other child for a fun-filled day around town. If they are old enough, ask for help in jobs like diaper changes or preparing a crib for a night’s sleep. Ensuring they are involved in raising a newborn will help form a bond between parents and siblings. Plan for Regression Even if your child is excited about the arrival of their brother or sister, it’s normal for them to show disobedience to gain the attention a newborn receives. It’s essential to prepare yourself for how to remediate these common behaviors. Toilet-trained children may backtrack and have accidents, insist that they should wear diapers again or ask to be bottle fed. The experts at Child Mind Institute remind parents that these actions are typical for older siblings. It’s their way of telling mom and dad that their care is still needed and helps achieve the attention they crave.
When expecting your second child, it’s common to feel stress or uncertainty about how their big brother or sister will respond. You can make the experience of a newborn’s arrival positive by preparing your kiddo and making them feel included throughout the pregnancy. Remember that an older sibling will likely become a role model for the new arrival. The experts at the Child Mind Institute recommend that expectant mothers reveal their pregnancy news to other children as soon as the pregnancy begins to show. By preparing early, your little one can absorb the information and ask questions about the new addition to their family. Make sure to stress that the news is positive and that your love will not change once the new infant arrives. Set Aside Special Time Together Understand that a newborn protection. This may lead to an older sibling feeling left out or jealous. It’s a good idea to find time to do things as a duo throughout the week. will require an immense amount of attention and
Photo Courtesy of Tiffany Williams Photography
Made with FlippingBook - Online catalogs