How to Introduce Your Toddler to a New Sibling

Bringing home a new baby is a special occasion for all members of the family. ?Introducing a new child into the family can be a great time of bonding and celebrating, but for younger children it can also be a time of confusion and jealousy. ?If you are expecting a child and have a toddler, it is important to take a few simple steps to make introducing your toddler to a new sibling go as smoothly as possible.

1. ?Talk to your child about the upcoming changes. ?Toddlers will probably not understand all of the big changes that having a new member of the family will involve, but they will understand that the changes can be a good and happy thing if you explain it to them in the right way. ?Tell them that they can help you care for the new baby and that the new baby won?t be replacing them in any way. ?Answer any questions that your toddler may have about what will happen once the new baby arrives and be sure to give them extra hugs and kisses to remind them that they are just as important as the new baby.

2. ?Let your toddler help you prepare for the arrival of your new child. ?Your toddler will enjoy being your ?little helper? as you prepare the baby?s room, clean bottles, or pick out baby clothes. ?Tell them how much their new sibling will appreciate all of the hard work your toddler is doing to make them feel welcome in their new home. ?You can even let your toddler make a special art project for the baby?s room.

3. ?Purchase a toy or special gift for your toddler that the new baby can ?give? them when you bring the baby home. ?A new gift from the baby will help your toddler view the new baby as a friend and not as competition. ?Explain to your toddler that the baby wanted him/her to have a special gift because they love them.

4. ?Spend quality alone time with your toddler once the baby comes home. ?If you have extra help, make sure to take some time with just you and your toddler to make them feel special and to remind them that the new baby has not replaced them.

5. ?Take it slow. ?Don?t get frustrated if your toddler has a hard time adjusting to the new baby. ?The big change may be a lot for them to handle at first, but if you continue to take it slowly and let everyone adjust when they?re ready, you will be successful in introducing your toddler to a new sibling.

Source: http://parenting1.factoidz.com/how-to-introduce-your-toddler-to-a-new-sibling/

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