Hassle-free returns30-day returns
We ship mostly with UPS however, Shipping TimesMay be affected due to the Canada Post Strike

Currency

How to prepare your child to be a sibling

Baby number two is on the way and baby number one has no idea what he or she is in for. A lot of preparations will need to be made when your family is adding a new tiny human to the mix, but one thing you don’t want to overlook is preparing your first born child(ren) for their new sibling.

Newborns need a lot of care and attention, and although mom and dad are over-the-moon, baby number one might not be as equally enthused. This change can be hard for older siblings; feelings of jealousy can creep up and can result in your first born acting out.

But don’t fret mama! If you actively prepare your kids for the newborn, it can make things easier for everyone.

During pregnancy

Obviously there is no one-size fits all answer and your approach will depends on the soon-to-be sibling’s age and maturity.  For example, a preschooler may not grasp the concept of time, so explaining that the baby will be arriving in months won’t resonate. Try using seasons or holidays/special occasions to explain the timeline.

There’s always the looming question of “where do babies come from?” – but your child probably wants to know literally where they come from, so a simple explanation that the baby comes from the uterus, in a mommy’s belly, might be enough. Keep it short and sweet and allow them to openly express their questions and concerns.

Other ways to prepare:

  • Show your child their baby pictures.
  • Introduce him or her to other babies.
  • Read (age-appropriate) books about birth.
  • Include them in the preparations (picking a name, packing the hospital bag, going to the doctor appointments).
  • Reinforce your child’s role as the older sibling and the protector; use language like “your little brother” instead of “the new baby”.

It’s also important to give your first born the opportunity to talk about their feelings around having a new brother or sister. Keep them involved as the due date gets closer and make sure they know what to expect when the day arrives.

After birth

Although it might make every task twice as long, letting the new brother or sister help out with your daily to-dos can really make a difference. Do what you can to keep them included and make them feel valued:

  • Make one-on-one time with the older child and give them your undivided attention.
  • Remind friends and family to chat with your older child about topics other than the new baby.
  • Keep normal routines – if your older child is in daycare or school, don’t feel guilty about continuing to send them.

Kids are perceptive, so the golden rule is to be open with them about what’s coming. Not knowing what’s going on with mom could create anxiety. You know your child best, so you should evaluate your specific situation and go from there.

It’s normal to go through a transition period, so be prepared to tolerate however your child is feeling – acknowledge it and validate it. Children look to their parents to determine how they should feel about a situation, so if you’re calm and positive, chances are they will be too!

 

-- Jaida Shenfield
a Fabulous freelance writer, and apart of the Ella Bella Maternity Boutique team! 


49 comments


  • ELIZABETH DAVIDSON

    SUCCESSFUL CRYPTO ASSETS RECOVERY 2023
    I was scammed over ( $1,000,000 ) by someone I met online on a fake investment project. I started searching for help legally to recover my money and I came across a lot of Testimonies about ETHICREFINANCE Recovery Expects. I contacted them providing the necessary information’s and it took the experts about 27hours to locate and help recover my stolen funds. I am so relieved and the best part was, the scammer was located and arrested by local authorities in his region. I hope this help as many out there who are victims and have lost to these fake online investment scammers. I strongly recommend their professional services for assistance with swift and efficient recovery. They can reached through the link below.
    Email Address: ethicsrefinance@gmail.com
    WHATSAPP :+1 (719) 642-8467


  • Sophia Richardson

    I’m one of those few people who invested in the cryptocurrency market and was hoping to make enough profits after my retirement. Unfortunately, I had invested in a platform that was out to steal from me, I lost around $275,000 to this platform excluding the promised profits. I had lost every penny I invested into it including the money I had to borrow from friends. I thought it was all over until I came across a Cryptocurrency recovery expert, Elite Wizard Bitcoin Recovery, who helped me recover my money from these fake investors. It took Elite Wizard Bitcoin Recovery 48 hours to recover my money and I was able to track down these people. I’m truly grateful for their service and I highly recommend them to anyone with the same problem.

    Email: eliterecovery247@cyber-wizard.com

    Call/WhatsApp +1 (805) -386-9670


  • Marion Park

    How I Got Out Of A Crypto Scam Through; Captain WebGenesis.

    Just one week ago, while I was winding down my career as a financial manager, I realized that I could not just be there without working on something to better myself and I had to take action. I had picked up some basic knowledge about cryptocurrency investing and its typical profitability from my earlier investigation. I made the decision to take a chance and invested alongside an internet broker who had messaged me on Instagram beforehand. I made the decision to invest $97,000, nearly all of my hard-earned money. He continued requesting me to invest more money in order to authorize my withdrawals when I asked for them.
    But while looking for a solution, I stumbled into Captain WebGenesis and read a ton of glowing testimonials from pleased clients who had dealt with the professional. After informing Captain WebGenesis of the circumstances, his rapid response and action were very impressive. The crew moved quickly to start the recovery procedure, and I was relieved to see that my funds that had been taken were being successfully recovered. Since this was all of my retirement money, I cannot express how appreciative I am for their exceptional support on my case.

    CONTACT INFO; ( captainwebgenesis@ hackermail.com)
    Website; Www.captainwebgenesis.com
    WhatsaPP; +1 205(336)-1020.


  • Charles

    HAPPY TO HAVE MY EX-WIFE BACK, THANKS DR.MAC@YAHOO.COM


  • Hretor Shane

    Losing Bitcoin can feel like a nightmare, a hopeless situation where your hard-earned money disappears into the digital abyss. But one company, prowizardgilbertrecovery.xyz, has been making waves in the crypto community by successfully recovering lost Bitcoin and restoring faith in the security of cryptocurrencies. In our success story, we move into the background of a lost Bitcoin case that seemed unrecoverable. The individual faced numerous challenges and felt a sense of desperation as their valuable digital assets were seemingly lost forever. Their hope was reignited when they discovered
    Pro Wizard Gilbert Recovery, a team of experts specializing in cryptocurrency retrieval. You can reach out to
    Pro Wizard Gilbert Recovery asap on:prowizardgilbertrecovery(@)engineer.com


Leave a comment

Please note, comments must be approved before they are published

This site is protected by hCaptcha and the hCaptcha Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.


How to prepare your child to be a sibling