Image: Shutterstock
It can be confusing for first-time parents to know how best to handle their toddler’s feelings when a new baby arrives. After all, now both of them will share your attention and care. It’s natural for toddlers to feel jealous or neglected in these situations, so second-time parents must ensure they’re still giving their older child lots of individual time and attention. But as parents, you can easily prepare your toddler mentally before they are introduced to their little siblings.
In this article, we’ll discuss a few to-do things before and after introducing your newborn to their toddler sibling so that they turn out to be the best friends you’ve always wished for.
Why Do Toddlers Feel Insecure From The Arrival Of A Newborn?
It’s no secret that when a new baby arrives in the family, it can be an exciting time for everyone. But while parents are preparing to welcome their newest addition into the family, they may not realize that toddlers can feel insecure from the arrival of a newborn. Toddlers often fear being replaced by their new sibling and worry about losing mom or dad’s attention. And believe it or not, you’ll be unintentionally prioritizing the little one more than your young kid. So it becomes very important to make them familiar with the baby without taking away their spotlight.
Here are the best ways to introduce your newbie to their toddler siblings without compromising on their space and value.
1. Letting Your Kid Know About The New Family Member
Image: Shutterstock
It’s important to share the pregnancy news with them in an age-appropriate manner that will make them feel included and excited as well. You should try explaining things in simple terms using language they understand. For example, you could say “Mommy has something special growing inside her tummy. It’s called a baby! Soon there will be another little person living with us at home who we get to love and take care of together.” This explanation helps toddlers understand what’s going on without overwhelming or confusing them too much.
You can also consider involving your toddler in some fun activities related to pregnancy like shopping for nursery items or picking out clothes for their future sibling. Doing these types of activities allows children not only to gain knowledge but also to start forming connections with their upcoming siblings.
2. Take The Process Easy
Remember that toddlers have short memories, so they may not even remember meeting their siblings. So don’t expect too much from them right away. Instead, take things slow and give lots of praise when they show interest in their new brother or sister.
3. Taking Them To The Hospital
Image: Shutterstock
Visiting the hospital is fun and educational for toddlers. As soon as they meet each other, your little one will start forming their relationship with the new arrival. It also gives them an opportunity to get used to being around a tiny baby before taking on any big brother or sister duties at home.
4. Treating Them Well After Coming Back Home
If you’re having a hospital birth, chances are that when you come home with the baby in tow, it will be hard to divide your attention amongst all your kids right away. That’s why it’s important to make sure that before leaving for the hospital and after returning from it that plenty of quality time has been spent with each child separately so they feel special too.
5. Leaving Them Alone With The Baby
Image: Shutterstock
Having two little ones hanging around may seem welcoming sometimes but you should never leave your toddler alone with a baby under any circumstance. Toddlers lack the maturity and experience to properly care for an infant. They are too young to understand the necessary precautions needed when caring for someone so small and fragile.
In addition, young children often don’t recognize danger signs that are present around babies such as choking hazards, etc., thus putting them both at risk of harm if left unsupervised together.
6. Feeding Them Alongside With The Baby
Toddlers often get jealous when they see the baby getting attention from mom or dad, so you must make sure your toddler feels included during feedings too. One way to do this is by engaging your toddler in conversation while feeding the baby. So, ask them questions about what they did at school today, and tell them stories about when you were a kid to make them feel they are still a part of the family.
Introducing your toddler to their new sibling doesn’t have to be stressful. So following these simple steps and keeping an open mind throughout the process can ensure smooth sailing ahead. Let us know in the comment section below, how your kid reacted to their new little sibling.
