Your Childrens Health

The birth of a baby is a life-changing event, and if there are older siblings there are special steps you can take to make sure your child is included in the process.  Before your new baby arrives, begin telling your child that a new baby is coming soon.  Depending on their age, you can talk to them about how the new baby is growing.  Encourage them to touch your abdomen, especially as the baby gets larger, so they can feel their new sibling move.  You can also involve your child by allowing them to help you prepare for the new baby.  They can help set up the new baby’s room and get the baby clothes ready.  Your child can also help you select items for the new baby.

After the new baby comes home expect there to be a period of adjustment.  This period may be longer than expected if your first child is under the age of 2.  There is a lot of the process that they won’t understand at this young age.  Give your toddler time to adjust to the new baby and expect there to be some jealousy.  No matter what your older child’s age, continue to spend special time with them as often as possible.  Notice when your older child behaves well and praise him or her often.  Let the other child help with the new baby and thank him or her.  Never compare your children.  Encourage visitors, family and friends to greet the older child first and then go to see the new baby.

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This entry was posted on Sunday, March 26th, 2006 at 11:36 pm and is filed under Uncategorized, Pregnancy and Newborns, Adolescence, Growing Pains. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.