Include your child in the new baby s arrival from the very beginning. Tell him or her that they are about to become a big brother or sister. Be sure to express to your child how important his role in the family will be and the benefits that this will have. Assure your child that you will love him just as much as always and that the new baby will be someone else who will love him too. Let him know that he will be receiving more love not less. Perhaps get his input on things regarding the new baby. Even a two year old will appreciate being included and helping in the decision making process. For example take him shopping with you to buy a cool baby gift, let him choose between two choices which he thinks his new brother or sister will like the best.
Let him help prepare the nursery
Even if that help is confined to putting small objects on a low shelf, let him help. This kind of interaction early on where your child feels like he or she is a part of everything is crucial to long term success. Allow your child to choose a unique toy to give to his new brother or sister. You might also choose a small toy for your older child that will be from the new baby to present when the baby comes home. As your pregnancy progresses allow him to feel the baby move, answer his questions and read him books so he understands that the reason mother s body is changing is because of the baby.
Make Him Feel Special and Important
Any young child is bound to feel a bit jealous when they see all the new things that the baby is getting like cool baby clothes from showers. This is completely normal. There are things you can do to help manage these bad feelings. Having a completely separate big brother or sister party where you suggest that your friends bring a small toy for your older child can combat this feeling. A few small gifts given simply because he now has a new role in the family will make your child look forward to the role he will be having from now on.
Show You Child the Hospital Nursery
If at all possible arrange with the hospital staff to take your child on a tour of the delivery room and nursery. Expressing that this will be where your new brother or sister will stay until arriving home. Let your first born feel important by telling him or her that you need their help keeping dad company until you return, so that they are feeling helpful. If you want your first born to really accept the new babies arrival then give your first born a little talk that everything is going to be just fine. Continuing to include them once the baby is born will make for an easier adjustment for both you and your first born.
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