Bundle of Joy: How to Prepare Your Child for a New Sibling

Bringing a new baby into the family is a joyful event that has a big impact on all family members. At East Portland Pediatric Clinic, we understand the importance of making this transition as smooth as possible for your older children. Preparation can reduce anxiety and build excitement. Here’s how you can prepare your child to welcome a new sibling.

Start the Conversation Early

It’s your choice when to let your child know a sibling is on the way. But you’ll want to begin discussing the new baby at least a few months before the expected arrival.

Explain in age-appropriate terms what having a new baby means and what changes might occur. For toddlers and preschoolers, you might explain that the baby will sleep, cry and need a lot of attention. Older children might be interested in understanding how the baby is developing. It’s always a good idea to be prepared with an age-appropriate answer for how the baby got in there.

The internet is full of “fun” ways to announce a new baby to their sibling, but it might not turn out to be an Instagram-ready moment. Your child might have any range of emotions that don’t include unbridled glee. Being present and answering questions truthfully will help everyone prepare for the transition.

Involve Them in the Preparations

Getting kids involved can help them feel connected to the new family member. Let them help set up the baby’s nursery by arranging toys or picking out clothes. For older children, involve them in planning the layout or choosing a name.

Getting involved in decision-making builds anticipation and makes them feel they are an important part of the baby’s life.

Discuss what will happen when the baby is born and during your hospital stay. Reassure them about who will take care of them, how often you’ll communicate and when they can visit.

Learning About Babies

As we know, “babies cry” doesn’t cover the whole truth of the matter. Crying can be loud, stressful and require a grownup’s attention for long periods of time.

Explain that babies also require a lot of patience because they need frequent feeding and changing. Role-playing can be an excellent method for teaching this, perhaps with the aid of a doll.

Many kids are unfamiliar with babies. Observing or interacting with another baby can help make the idea of a new sibling more concrete and less intimidating.

Read Books Together

Any books that talk about families or siblings can be a great jumping-off point for conversations.

Here are a few you could start with:

Hello in There!
A loveable story about a young girl excited for her sibling-to-be.

We Belong Together
About adoption in all kinds of families.

My New Baby
A popular choice, also available in Spanish.

Lola Reads to Leo
We love the Lola books, and this one is no exception.

Normalize New Feelings

Discuss the emotions they might feel about having a new sibling, from excitement to jealousy. Reassure them that these feelings are normal. This is a great time to talk about family rules around how we treat each other and how to express negative emotions in a safe way.

Consider what it might feel like to live with a child who’s upset about a new baby. They’re entitled to their own feelings, but how will you deal with a child who’s screaming at you to send the baby back to the hospital? Devising some tactics now may save you later when you’re even lower on sleep and patience.

Adjusting Post-Arrival

Once the baby arrives, continue to include older siblings in care routines as appropriate. Recognize and praise helpful actions. Maintain routines for older children, as much as possible, to provide stability and reassurance.

Children often want to help with the baby, and this can be encouraged to a safe extent. Toddlers can fetch diapers or blankets, while older children might help with putting on socks or helping older babies with bottles. This involvement helps build a bond between the siblings and fosters a sense of responsibility and pride.

Consider creating a “busy basket” that toddlers can play with while the baby eats. Instead of constantly feeling frustrated that the baby has stopped you in your tracks, they get the opportunity to enjoy some different and interesting activities, while they play quietly near you.
(We hope!) Activities might include busy boards, mess-free markers, dominoes, felt boards, puzzles, quiet building blocks, coloring books or stickers.

Spend Quality Time Together

Children worry about losing their place in your heart or competing for affection.

Make sure to spend quality one-on-one time with each child. You can set up special dates with them, doing activities they love, showing them that your love and attention will not diminish when the baby arrives. Even 10 minutes a day of “Special Parent-Kiddo Time” goes a long way.

Experienced Advice From Your East Portland Pediatricians

At East Portland Pediatric Clinic we’re here to support your family through the arrival of a new member. Preparing your child for a new sibling can help foster a healthy, loving relationship from the start. Remember, every child is unique, and patience and communication will be your best tools during this exciting transition.

If you still need to choose a pediatrician for your baby, East Portland Pediatric Clinic is here for you. Schedule a complimentary meet-and-greet with one of our available pediatricians. We treat newborns and can see new babies in the hospital at Adventist Health Portland and Providence Portland Medical Center.

Call our friendly office staff to set up an appointment for your newborn care Portland.