Preparing Older Siblings For The Arrival Of A New Born

A newborn needs attention and care from his parents.The focus on the new arrival leads to the outburst of jealousy from older siblings who have hitherto enjoyed the attention that the new arrival now has.Parents especially mothers are faced with the dilemma of reasurring the older brother or sister combined with the enormous task of taking care of a new baby. To make things easier,parents should involve siblings during pregnancy and also when baby arrives home.However,It is more difficult to explain things to a child from ages 1- 5 years of age. In the period of pregnancy,you can introduce your child,especially a toddler, to the baby in the womb by explaining to your older child that there is a baby growing inside you,tell him to touch your bump and kiss your bump.Remember to stop calling the older sibling with the name "baby" especially when your delivery day is close.This will help the older sibling adjust. You can include the older child in taking care of the baby by helping to pick out baby socks,burp cloth etc.You can also help your older sibling by telling her what she can do that baby can not do such as eating biscuits,ice creams etc.Try to spend quality time with your older child especially when baby is sleeping.