PREPARING YOUR CHILD FOR A NEW SIBLING

Congratulations mama! Expecting another baby is so special. Among many of the things you need to think about, you may be wondering how to get your older child ready for the new addition.

Having another baby is a big and positive change in the family, but it can be challenging for your older child to accept. However, with some careful preparation, you can definitely set them up to feel good about the new arrival! Let’s take a look at some important things to consider.

SHARING THE NEWS

It’s down to you to decide when you feel comfortable telling your child the good news - your choice will need to take into account age and understanding. Toddlers have a looser grasp of time, so it may be helpful to relate the baby’s birth with an important event. For instance, you could tell them that the new baby will be coming shortly after Eid or close to Daddy’s birthday.

It’s wise to give kids of all ages plenty of time to digest the idea of a new sibling. A few months is best as it allows you to talk about it regularly and slowly normalise the idea for your little one.

REACTIONS AND FEELINGS

Kids might feel excited, nervous, jealous, angry or completely neutral about a new sibling. All of these are common, natural reactions. No matter what your older child’s attitude is during your pregnancy, it will almost certainly be an adjustment for them when the baby arrives as your love and attention will need to be shared. There’s no need to stress though, as a happy sibling bond will come with time, usually between a year and eighteen months.

IT’S ALL IN THE PREPARATION

Positivity