The new baby is officially home, but the biggest question is going to be how are the other siblings going to adjust? Almost every single parent that has had their first child will automatically know to prepare the older sibling for a new baby. There are so many different ways to do this, but most important is going to be making sure that all of the siblings in the house get attention.
Tips For A Smooth Transition
If the children in the house are older – sometimes it can be an easier transition. If the children are in their teens, this can be challenging, but it also can be a great help. Keeping older children involved during the pregnancy and even including them in activities such as an ultrasound to find out the sex of the baby can make everyone in the same house feel connected and still maintain communication. Older children can be helpful, but also understanding and provide lots of support.
If you have younger children that are all under five years old – that can be a major adjustment. When children are younger and still going through the toddler years, they are still quite demanding of your time. While they are starting to develop their personalities and learning how to become independent, toddler’s are still looking for mom to comfort and carry them. It also can be tricky trying to explain to a toddler about a new baby in the house. One way to explain or help a toddler understand that a new baby will be coming home is by giving your toddler a toy baby. Lots of toddler’s around 2 and 3 years of age love to play pretend with mom. Having a toy baby can show toddler’s that they need to take care of their baby.
When bringing home a new baby, all of the younger siblings will understand that the new baby needs to be comforted and taken care of. You might be surprised to see how well the adjustment goes if you keep your younger children involved with everything in regards to having a new baby. Also, a great way to help the adjustment period is by making sure that you take time and do things with your older children. It can be something simple like watching a movie together or even making a meal. As long as you are giving attention to all of the children – the tantrums and other issues in the house can be minimalized.
Counseling
If at any time you feel like the adjustment period with a new baby is not going right or it doesn’t feel like anything is being resolved, you should always contact your pediatrician. You may need other suggestions or you may need to go a different route, if your children are struggling with a new baby in the house. The main thing to do is remain calm and show your children as much love/understanding as you can. The first few months are always an adjustment.
