SiblingLove: What to Expect When Bringing Home a New Baby

 

    Bringing home a new baby can be challenging, both to your older children and to you as the parent who has to deal with all the crying, diaper changes, feedings and exhaustion. However, it doesn’t have to be that way. With some preparation and planning, your older children can learn to appreciate and love their new little brother or sister quickly and easily, making this experience more enjoyable for everyone. Here are some great tips on how to help your kids adjust to the newest member of the family in just minutes!

Excitement

    Bringing home a new baby is an exciting time. There are some things you can do to help make the transition easier for your kids and family. It's important that children know they will still be loved and valued, even though a new baby has come into the family. One way you can do this is by giving each child a special assignment, such as feeding the dog or telling grandma about the new baby over the phone. You can also plan fun activities with them such as playing baby in their rooms or taking them on a tour of the hospital nursery. 

    You might also want to take photos of them with the new baby so they have memories of their little sister coming home from the hospital. Helping an older sister or brother pick out a stuffy for the new baby also makes it that much more exciting.

Jealousy

    It's no secret that bringing a new baby home can be an adjustment for the whole family. Siblings may feel left out, overwhelmed, or even jealous of all the attention their new baby sibling is getting. Here are a few tips on how you can help ease your older child's transition and make sure they know they're just as loved as ever.

• Spending at least an hour each day just playing with them or reading a story together.
• Take them on their own little date; go out to eat, shopping, maybe even a movie.
• Go for a walk with just them.
• While baby is napping, take time to have 1:1 with your child.

     It's important for siblings to maintain their relationship with parents, even if you're feeling over-extended. Don't let your child feel left out. Sometimes that is easy to do when all of our attention is to the newest addition of the family. Older children love hearing about how their new baby is growing up, too!

Guilt

    Bringing home a new baby with other children in the house can be tricky. It is natural for parents to feel guilty about having a new baby in the house, feeling like they are giving their other children less attention. However, it's important for parents not to feel this way and instead focus on how their family will grow together. 

    Having more children means having more love, and siblings can help take care of each other while the parents take care of the new baby. Parents should also try their best to spend one-on-one time with all the children in the household and make sure they know that they are still loved.

Depression

    Children are often excited when they find out that they are going to be a new big brother or sister. However, it's not uncommon for children with siblings in the home to feel depressed when their parents bring home a new baby. In fact, if you notice that your child is feeling depressed or sad and is having trouble sleeping, try asking them what's wrong and if they're worried about being replaced by a new sibling. If so, reassure them that they will always be their mommy or daddy's special first born child and that they'll always be loved just as much as before. It may also help to allow older siblings more time together so that the new baby can have some one-on-one time with their parents for awhile.

Acceptance

    Children and family members will have many feelings about the new baby coming home, and it is up to you to help them accept the change that's happening. Children will be excited to see their sibling for the first time, but some may also be worried about how this affects them. 

    The best thing you can do is assure them that they still have your love and attention. You can also reassure older siblings by letting them know that there are new responsibilities for everyone in the family when a new baby arrives – for example, babysitting or giving up their bedroom so the newborn has room to grow. Bringing home a new baby with children at home requires patience and understanding from everyone involved.