Sibling Revelry
Simple tips for easing sibling adjustments
- Move older siblings to new bed or quarters at least 3 months before the new baby arrives.
- Never leave infants unattended in the presence of a toddler. A 2 year old who simply wants to ‘pat the baby’ doesn’t understand that he could really hurt the baby. Paediatricians note that this is a frequent and dangerous mistake
- Don’t force younger children to help with the baby. Let them get involved at their own pace.
- Offer both boys and girls a baby doll to diaper and feed while you care for the new baby.
- If you can afford it, secure some part time cleaning help for a few weeks after the baby is born. This will allow you more time to spend with each of your children.
- Instead of fussing at your toddler when she acts out while you’re trying to care for the baby, provide a special basket of ‘goodies’ to be taken out only when you need to redirect the child. Good choices: books on tape and cassette player, puppets, a special set of blocks and ‘paint with water’ books.
- If you’ll return to work, try to find a childcare setting that will work for both of your children so that they can be together, and so you won’t be exhausted running from place to place.
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