Nothing compares to the magical moment in a mother’s life when she holds for the first time her newborn in her arms! A life that you felt it develop for nine months, heard its beating heart and finally now you can touch it, kiss it and introduce it to the rest of the family.
And maybe.. this last part, might be challenging especially if you already have an older child.
If you are getting a little nervous about this, take a look below for 5 practical ways to introduce your new family member to your oldest child!
- Do a preparation
It would be nice that your child experiences the pregnancy so it can start to share your anticipation. There are also books which help children of a young age to be mentally prepared for the baby’s arrival.
On the other hand, it is important to be realistic⋅ don’t expect a 3-4 year old child to understand everything beforehand. Many will come in their own course.
- Carefully Select the Timing of the Initial Meeting
Make sure that the oldest child is in a nice mood and well-rested when they see their little sibling for the first time! The best way to achieve this is by combining that moment with a small present or a surprise. For example, maybe they could see their renovated bedroom for the first time before theyr meet their sibling?
- Maintain a Relaxed Atmosphere
No matter how great the first time they meet is, it is a good idea not to overdo it, as the older child may experience anxiety and relate the whole event with negative emotions. Show the joy and importance of the occasion, but keep the whole atmosphere relaxed.
This will greatly help to also maintain the older child’s overall routine. There is no reason to interrupt, even temporarily, his kindergarten or other activities.
- Set Up Proper Limits
The older child might not be able to understand that their little sibling is not ready yet for their play-time! Use words and phrases that will help the older child to understand that they need to be careful around the baby⋅ for example: «This is your little sister! She is still very young, but when she grows up a little more, you can play together!»
Whether you feel that they understand the baby’s sensitivity or not, do not leave them together unsupervised.
- Prepare your Home
There is a chance that your firstborn might be upset if they see you in the hospital, therefore it might be best to first meet their sibling at home. In addition, one of the nicest ways to mentally and emotionally be prepared for the baby’s arrival is to experience the preparations of the baby room.
Experts have pointed out how much smoother the introduction of the new member into the first child’s microcosm can be when they see how the home space is adjusted to the new situation. If you want to avoid feelings of jealousy, combine the new room with a small or a complete renovation in the older child’s bedroom!
LIFETIMEKIDSROOMS’s bedrooms are especially designed to help the parents but also to inspire a sense of security and uniqueness to the child and can greatly help in your effort for a smooth transition to this new family phase.
Have a look at some of our popular bedrooms by clicking here!