Preparing
Your Toddler For a New Baby
By Malcom's Mom
It's a big change for
an once only child to become a big brother or sister. It can
be a threatening and scary experience. If, as parents, you
help your child understand the joys of being an older sibling,
you can help ease some of your child's stress. Here are a few
tips for preparing for the new arrival:
1. Don't hide your pregnancy
from your toddler. He may overhear mysterious conversations
or see that mom is not feeling well and worry. In addition,
letting your toddler know gives him more time to adjust to
the idea. If you have a high risk pregnancy, you need to decide
a "safer" time to tell your child.
2. Don't blame the baby!
If you are unable to pick up your child because of a sore back,
tell your child it is because of your back - not because you're
pregnant.
3. Make inevitable changes
in your toddler's life early, so it doesn't seem like it's
all because of the baby. If your toddler will be giving his
crib to the baby, allow your child to sleep in his "big boy" bed
several months in advance.
4. Include your child in
the pregnancy. Bring him to a couple of prenatal visits, if
he's interested. Let him hear the child's heartbeat and view
sonogram/ultrasound pictures.
5. Talk about the baby
and what it means to be an older sibling. Tell your toddler
how his younger brother or sister will learn from him and look
up to him. If he's interested, he will also be able to help
with the new baby by bringing clean diapers to the diaper changer,
showing the baby toys, telling baby all about the world and
more.
However you plan for the
new arrival, be sure to consider your toddler in your planning.
Discuss your toddler's concerns with him, but don't bring up
concerns he doesn't mention. There is no need to create worry
when there is none. Most of all, enjoy this wonderful time
together - it will never be quite the same again.
http://www.malcolmsweb.com
has parenting tips, product reviews and freebies for babies
and toddlers. If Malcolm hasn't tried it, you won't find
it here. This article provided by the Family Content Archives
at: http://www.Family-Content.com
