How To Prepare The Children Of The Family For The Arrival Of A New Baby?

How to prepare the children of the family for the arrival of a new baby?

Children 1-2 years of age

Do not demand too much understanding from the child, for at this age he does not yet understand what the birth of a new sibling means. Let the child hear you talk about a new family member. He probably doesn’t understand why you’re excited, but your attitude sticks to him, too.

Remember that meeting the needs of two or more young children at the same time can be difficult or even impossible. Be sure to ask your loved ones for help if everyday life gets too pregnant or you feel that not all children are getting enough attention.

When your baby arrives home, don’t forget the older siblings, but remember to cuddle and listen to them and spend time with them. You can work to reduce feelings of jealousy by giving older siblings a small gift from their new little brother or sister.

Children 2-4 years

At this age, children are often very attached to their parents, and it can be difficult for them to share their mother and father with anyone. The child can be very sensitive to change and interpreted as a threat to the arrival of a new family member.

Start talking to your baby about the baby at the point when you start getting clothes and other supplies for him or her. Also, if a child asks about a mother’s growing belly, it’s time to share the news with her. For example, you can get illustrated children’s books to help your child understand the situation. Anyway, tell the child yourself before anyone else has time to do it.

It is important to be honest with the child about future changes. Explain to her that the baby is kind and lovely, but also cries a lot and needs a lot of attention at first. Make sure your child knows it will take a while before they can play with their new sibling.

Once a new family member has arrived home, make sure both parents also give the older child two-way time and attention. The child needs to know that the parents love him

Don’t confuse your child with too many changes

Be careful when planning other major changes in the life of a 2-4 year old child. For example, if your child has time to start practicing potting, start practicing well in advance of the baby’s birth. The same applies to a situation where a child has to move to sleep from a cot to the actual bed or from the parents ’room to their own room. If you are unable to make changes before the baby is born, it is a good idea to wait until the baby has arrived home and a new everyday has found its way.

It is common for the development of a child of this age to take a small backseat after the birth of a new family member. For example, a child may start to be injured even though he or she has already learned to dry, or he or she may begin to ask to drink from a baby bottle instead of a mug. This kind of behavior is perfectly normal, so treat it with love and patience. All of this is just a way for a child to seek love and attention in a strange situation.

Children 5 years and older

School-age children generally do not feel threatened in the same way by a new family member as slightly younger children. They may still feel jealous of all the attention the newborn receives. If so, explain the situation to the child in a language he or she understands. Discuss what changes your baby will bring home and for the whole family. Talk about both the positive aspects and the different challenges.

The child should visit to greet the mother and newborn already in the hospital so that she feels an important part of the growing family. Introduce the new sibling to the child and talk to him or her about the role of the big sister or brother and its importance.

An older child may already be very independent and can do well on their own, but still don’t forget his or her needs, hobbies, and interests. Show him in words and deeds how much you love him. Try to spend two key times with him every day and take advantage of this time to remind him how important he is to you.