Tips & Advice for Preparing Your Child for a Sibling

Find out everything you need to know about making the arrival of a new sibling as easy as possible for you and your children.

Parents will always eagerly anticipate the arrival of their newborn baby or sibling into the family; however, siblings who have not experienced a baby sister or brother before may find welcoming them into their lives a bit challenging initially due to unfamiliarity with this situation.

When welcoming a newborn into your family, an older or first child may not always be in the mood to celebrate. The prospect of losing all parental attention and care can lead to feelings of unease, jealousy, or even resentment among younger children who struggle with understanding their emotions during this time. This transition presents challenges for parents trying to navigate these sometimes complex situations while caring for both their older children and babies. It's really tricky when you're busy and tired, but you will achieve the best results if you can stay patient and supportive throughout the process so your older one feels cared for and loved.

Preparing your child or children for the arrival of a new family member before they come home can help avoid confusion and unrest. By taking steps in advance, you can ensure that this exciting time is received well by them. Our guide gives you some hints and tips on how to prepare an older sibling for welcoming their new baby brother or baby sister home and into the household. A smooth transition from being the only child to an older sibling can be a challenge, and remember, it will not always be as you planned it to be.

As soon as possible, and when you feel ready, tell your child or children about the exciting news. Children, however old, will always pick up on things going on or hushed conversations, so it's always best to tell them as soon as you can so they don’t worry something is wrong. 

According to experts, telling your young child about a new sibling or newborn as soon as possible helps them adjust and accept the idea of welcoming another member into their family. Once you've reached a secure point in pregnancy, share the news with them so they can start getting excited about their new role as a big brother or sister. This approach allows everyone involved ample time to prepare emotionally.

Involving your child in the journey of pregnancy can be a wonderful way to create memories that will last forever. It also helps them understand if you experience morning sickness or other symptoms along the way. Communicating effectively with children is key during this time, as they may not fully grasp why certain things are happening without an explanation from an adult. Let them know about your baby bump and show them baby pictures of themselves to explain things. Remembering their age when speaking about these things ensures they are comfortable throughout the process.

If you are adopting or utilising surrogacy to bring a new child into your family, it's a good idea to start the conversations and understanding early on. This will help prepare your children for the fact that they won't be able to see their sibling until after they have been born, while also providing ample opportunities for questions and clarification once the news is shared about the exciting addition to your family. 

Introducing a new baby or sibling into your family can be an exciting time for everyone involved, including siblings. To help prepare them for this transition, talk to them about the benefits of having a brother or sister joining your family. Emphasise how much fun they'll have with their little brother or sister once he/she arrives home from the hospital. Additionally, highlight that helping out around the house when needed will really help you and make you and your baby brother or sister happy. Remember to not rush things too quickly; give them ample time to digest the news and potential changes. Try incorporating conversations about welcoming a new addition casually into conversations during your daily interactions, like, when the baby arrives, we can do xxx, rather than making it solely focused on one topic at hand. For example, when you are getting ready to take them to nursery, let them know that when the baby arrives they will be carried in their car seat (the one you used to sit in) and they will sit next to you in the car in the back. 

If your child expresses unease and hesitation about the upcoming baby, this is quite normal; try reminding them of when they were a baby. Show them pictures or videos from that time while letting them know how you cared for them by feeding them and changing their nappies, etc. Toddlers often love to hear what they were like as babies, and now they are really grown up and a big boy or girl. This will help them understand what it was like to be a baby and how you looked after them, and now they can help you look after their new sibling. Additionally, highlighting this shared experience can foster excitement around welcoming another little one into your family unit, and they will often look at photos and videos of themselves, laugh, and ask, “Did I really do that? Did I really cry like that?” By emphasising the things associated with having siblings, children will often feel more confident entering into this new phase of life together.

Introducing a New Sibling: Things to Avoid Overselling

The way you communicate with your child regarding the new baby will impact how they perceive the news. It's important not to overload them with information or force conversations; instead, let them initiate discussions and ask questions if needed. If no questions come about after a few days, gently introduce topics related to having a sibling in shared activities together. Let them know that there may be some changes and sleepless nights ahead, but that you will tackle the challenges together as a family and they won’t be disturbed. Explain that babies are delicate and require a lot of care. They will cry when they’re hungry or experiencing discomfort in any way. Assuring them that these things will happen, but it's all OK and it doesn't last forever. Again, remind them that they cried when they were hungry or needed their nappies changed, and that's what babies do. 

Involve Your Child in the Wait for a Sibling

Preparing your child or children for the arrival of a new sibling can be made easier by involving them in some of the decisions you need to make. Ask their opinions on details such as what clothes to buy or which baby items would make great gifts. By doing this, you are giving them ownership over this exciting time while also encouraging teamwork and collaboration skills that will benefit both children in the long term. Including them in discussions about decorating ideas for the nursery or choosing coming-home outfits, baby clothes when you're out shopping, and even baby names creates an environment where they feel valued and included during this big change in their lives. With these strategies at hand, parents can help ensure their little ones or older ones are ready when welcoming home their newest family member.

These things help prevent feelings of being left out or displacement from arising, as it demonstrates how much they matter within the family dynamic overall. Don't underestimate what everyone can do to create a positive and exciting build-up experience like this one together.

Share Your Story

The prospect of going to the hospital can be daunting for children who may associate it with negative experiences such as illness or injury. As an expectant parent, you may need to address these fears by explaining that visiting doctors and clinics is beneficial to you and the baby, and they don’t need to be worried. With this reassurance, they'll feel more confident about up-and-coming appointments without any unnecessary anxiety weighing them down.

Bringing your children along to medical appointments and scans during pregnancy if they're allowed can be an excellent way of involving them in the process. By witnessing ultrasounds firsthand, they'll hear their sibling's heartbeat and realise it's real. This is often when the excitement starts for them, and they start to feel excited about meeting them for the very first time. Often children will ask lots of questions after a scan, and this is a great way of understanding what they are concerned and excited about and answering their questions so there is no worrying from them. 

Preparing your child for a new sibling is crucial, but it doesn't guarantee that they will always behave as expected when the baby arrives. It's natural to feel uneasy and left out at times as you can no longer give them your undivided attention.

As children get older, they may develop certain behaviours that seek attention from their parents or carers. This could include acting out in anger towards others around them at times. Some children will regress to earlier stages of development as a way of getting the same level of affection given to their younger siblings by their parents. Regressive behaviour is extremely normal and nothing to worry about. It doesn't last forever and is common among many older siblings.

The arrival of a new sibling can be overwhelming for young children who may exhibit behaviours such as forgetting their toilet training or asking for the feeding bottle themselves. These actions are completely normal given the significant change in their lives, and you shouldn't tell them off or make them feel guilty about these things. Instead, be understanding and reassure them while they adjust to this major life event. Involve your child by inviting them to help you at feeding times, dressing, and bath time activities, and keep rewarding their positive behaviour. Make sure you let them know that their new brother or sister loves them very much and will always have each other. Take plenty of photos of them together, capturing moments with them and their baby sister or brother, you as a family, and your wider family. It is a great idea to put them up around your home and one of them together in your older siblings' bedroom as it acts as a visual reminder of your new family unit.

Before the baby is born, it's a great idea for the parent who's not around and involved in so much with the day-to-day care of your children to take on more responsibility and spend more time with them before the arrival of your new child. This gives them time to adjust and get used to it not always being one parent or carer. 

Although it may seem like your child is adjusting well to the new addition coming into their life, there could be underlying feelings of uncertainty that they're not showing or telling you. To ensure that they don't feel neglected or envious, make sure you set aside dedicated one-on-one time with them every day. This special bonding period can involve activities such as reading together, visiting family members and friends, going to the park, messy play, and anything that you do together is special bonding time. Prioritising these moments not only benefits everyone emotionally but also strengthens familial bonds.

When it comes to raising siblings, parents must always be mindful of their oldest child's feelings. They may feel left out or overshadowed by the new baby in the family. To avoid this issue, parents should ask friends and family to ensure they include all children equally during visits or activities together. This could involve taking turns spending quality time with each child individually without any distractions from other siblings present. By doing so, you'll help foster a sense of belonging among your children while also providing some much-needed rest for yourself. Ask family and friends to look after your new baby for an hour or two so you can have some one-on-one special time with your older child. 

Help Your Child Transition to a Bed

Preparing your child for the transition from a cot to a toddler bed needs careful planning. It's crucial to give them enough time before the baby is born so they can adjust without feeling overshadowed by their new sibling. Consider making this change at least 3 months before the baby is born, as it will allow your little one sufficient opportunity to become accustomed to their new bed and surroundings while also providing excitement about moving into a more grown-up space.

Ensure you have a bedtime routine in place months before the baby arrives, and incorporate quiet special time with age-appropriate books for them. In the months leading up to the baby being born, alternate the bedtime routine if there are 2 of you, or ask family or friends to help with the bedtime routine so that when the baby arrives they don’t feel the baby has pushed them out. 

Involving your children in the decision-making processes, such as selecting bedding or decorative items, helps create ownership over their new space and fosters feelings of independence and being grown up. This approach encourages positive attitudes towards the change rather than viewing it negatively, something especially important during times when parents are exhausted due to night feeds. By taking these steps early on, both parents and their children benefit from smoother transitions with less stress involved.

If you're thinking of potty training and your toddler is ready, it's also a good idea to do this before the baby arrives. Potty training can be quite time-intensive, so having them ready will help you when you're getting into a routine with your new baby. 

It Takes Time

The arrival of a baby sibling can be an overwhelming experience for many firstborns who have been used to being the sole focus of their parent's attention. It's a huge transition for children and the entire family, and it takes time and effort for both sides to adjust as they navigate this unfamiliar territory together. Remember that patience is key during the early stages, and it's normal for young children who haven't yet developed the sense of future or time concepts to not understand why things are changing so quickly around them.

The arrival of a new sibling can be challenging for children who may struggle with losing their place as the centrepiece in their family. It's important to remember that every child is different, and you won't know how they will react until it happens. Don't be hard on yourself if things aren't going smoothly right away. It takes time and patience, and this type of transition is completely normal. Most families go through a similar experience before successfully navigating through them. Don't lose hope or confidence; instead, focus on supporting each other during these times by being patient, empathetic, and understanding towards one another while keeping an eye out for any signs of distress from anyone involved. With love and effort put into making adjustments where needed along the way, eventually, everyone will find their footing again within your newly expanded family unit.

Nursery

As your eldest child approaches their time at nursery, it's really important to prepare them well in advance of the arrival of a new sibling. By settling them into a daily routine several months beforehand, you'll help ensure they don't feel like they are being pushed aside for their younger brother or sister. Instead, focus on making it an exciting adventure full of possibilities and opportunities, meeting new friends, and doing and learning lots of cool new things.

Asking family members who will be involved with drop and pick-ups is also key; this helps establish expectations early on so everyone knows what needs doing when the baby arrives. Let staff at the nursery know you have been talking about their new sibling and can they do the same as they will have lots of experience dealing with these situations. Finally, make sure you stay connected by checking in frequently with your children throughout this transition period: asking questions, listening carefully, and providing support where they need it. It's a huge change and step for them, and they will need lots of encouragement and support along the way and during their settling-in period. 

Bringing home a newborn can be overwhelming for older siblings who may feel displaced for the first few weeks and months. However, with proper preparation, communication, love, and attention beforehand, your eldest child will have ample time to adjust to this change in circumstances while anticipating meeting their younger brother or sister. Throughout pregnancy and beyond, offer plenty of comfort and understanding so that everyone feels supported during this exciting yet challenging period.

To ensure your older child feels loved and involved during this exciting time, incorporate the tips mentioned above before and after welcoming a new baby home. A great idea is to give them a special gift from their baby sibling when they arrive home to make them feel included. These strategies will help make sure they feel valued throughout the transition period.

You can find more hints, tips, and useful advice about preparing your child for a sibling from the NHS here.

Conclusion

At Mama Bear’s Day Nursery, we understand that welcoming a new sibling can be both an exciting and challenging time for families. Our nurturing environment and dedicated staff are here to support your child through this transition, ensuring they feel valued and included as they adjust to their growing family. With thoughtful preparation and personalised care, we provide the perfect setting to ease this change and foster a loving and supportive atmosphere for all children.

Discover how Mama Bear’s Day Nurseries in their South West locations, including Bristol, Somerset, and Devon, can make a positive difference for your little one and you as a family. 

Visit us to see our facilities and meet our caring team. For more information about our exceptional childcare services, including availability and how we support families during key life transitions, contact us today.