Having a new baby in the house is a very joyful moment for every family. But if you already have a toddler, introducing the newest member of the family may need some little work done.
It is best to prepare your toddler well in advance for their new role as a big brother or a big sister. Ease the transition period for your toddler so he or she may not feel that they have been replaced, therefore helping them react to the new baby better.
Early Preparation Stage
At some point during your pregnancy, your toddler will notice some changes, which can upset them, but you can lessen this anxiety by carefully explaining to your toddler what is going to happen.
Just keep things simple and explain to them that when moms and dads love each other, they sometimes decide to have a new baby. For toddler age of less than 2 1/2, wait for the last trimester when your belly bump is really showing before breaking the news. It will only confuse toddlers this age if you tell them right away since they have no sense of time yet.
Show and tell game will also help toddlers especially for those under 3 since they are usually self-interested. Try recalling his infancy by showing his/her baby albums where you can set scenes to help your toddler have a sense of what to expect when the new baby arrives such as “mom and dad will be carrying the baby often just like we did to you” or “little babies drink a lot of milk.”
Also, include your toddler in the whole anticipating for the baby stage by taking him/her to prenatal check ups where he can watch the ultrasound and hear the baby’s heart beat. It is also ideal to prepare your toddler for the time that you’re in the hospital and somebody else will take care of him/her. Tell them that grandmother or other members of the family will take care of them and bake some cookies for them while you’re gone.
Happy Welcome
When the time comes that the baby finally arrives, give the baby a happy homecoming. The early days of sibling bonding are the building blocks for long-term bonding development. And since toddlers react differently, it is important to promote positive sibling interactions.
As parents, you have the responsibility of making sure that your toddler doesn’t feel left out. Having a new baby is delightful and time consuming, so ensure that you make a conscious effort of spending quality time with both your toddler and newborn. This is an opportunity for everyone to bond together as a family.
