Every family gets excited when they hear the news of adding another baby to the brood. But bringing home a newborn is a little different the second time around. You need to start thinking of all the things that need to be taken care of before the baby arrives. One of them is preparing your first child for a new sibling.
With the second baby, you're likely to wonder how your older child will react to having a new sibling. Every child feels they have a sole right over their mommy. Accepting the fact that soon my mommy is going to be shared by someone else, is quite hard. That doesn't mean they are not happy. But their little brains are not able to process this new information very easily. We have to help them through this process. So, what can you do?
1. Don't assume they will just understand when the situation arrives
Spend lots of time together. Reassure your child that you will love them forever and that they'll never be replaced. Tell them they are going to have a lifetime gift in the form of a new sibling. This leads to the second point.
2. Talk to them
It sounds so easy right? But sometimes it's not. It is the most important point. You have to dig in to know what's going on inside your child's brain. Not all kids are expressive. And at such moments when they are trying to adjust to a change, they either show their curiosity by asking a lot of questions or they go into a shell thinking that mommy will not be spending time with me. So make sure to talk your child through this time and don't let them feel neglected or isolated.
3. Prepare them in different ways
Every child has a way of understanding things. Depending on your child's maturity level, you can pick your way. Some like things to be told through examples, others by asking questions. Have patience and answer their questions to the best possible extent.
4. Involve them in the preparation for the baby
They feel important when we ask for their inputs in preparing for the new sibling. It can be anything - deciding name, picking baby stuff, etc.
5. Have lots and lots of patience
They might not open up very easily about their feelings. Make them feel comfortable that they can discuss their queries with you. Be prepared to answer the same question more than once because like any other complex concepts, this topic will also take some time to grasp.
6. Let them know about your stay at the hospital
Sometimes we don't know how long we might have to stay at the hospital. But give a rough idea about your stay and more.
7. Tell them how important they are in their sibling's life
When they know that they hold an important place in their baby brother/baby sister's life, they feel special. Also, they might be visualising themselves playing with their sibling from Day 1, so make it clear about the waiting time for that moment.
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