A new baby brings an older child both excitement and a little uncertainty. "Will they still love me the same?" is rarely said out loud, but often felt. Making the wait theirs too can make the change gentler.
Explain it for their age
For little ones, "the baby is growing in Mum's tummy" is enough. Older children love questions; looking up how big the baby is this week together brings them into it.
Give them a role
- Choosing a song or lullaby for the baby
- Drawing a picture for the baby
- Picking the baby's first toy together
- Saying "hello" to the bump and introducing themselves as the big sister or brother
Look at their own baby photos
Looking at your older child's baby photos together reminds them that they were once this small, and waited for with the same love.
Talk about changes early
If their room, sleep routine or nursery is going to change, doing it before the baby arrives where possible can help them not link the change to the baby.
Time just for them
After the baby comes, a few minutes every day that belong only to your older child is one of the most reassuring things you can give.
In DUGIYAN
DUGIYAN's big sibling corner has small activities to do together with your older child. Tick them off and count them up together.
