Tips for Educating an Older Child about the New Baby

When you are expecting your second, it is very important to prepare your older child.  How the older child will react depends how well you have prepared your child.

Photo by: MissMessie

Explain Clearly in Simple Language
First explain to the older child about the new sibling in simple language.   If you explain to him/her clearly, he will come to also have anticipation for a new sibling.  Tell him/her that you can take bath together and play ball together later on and it will be a great fun. Another great way is showing an another newborn before the new baby and tell the older child that you will also be meeting his/her new baby at home.

Practice Being Separated
Mother will be in the hospital and the older child can be separated with mother for the first time.  To reduce the shock, make sure that you try to bring the older child to grandparents', or other relatives' house before and let him/her experience a sleep-over.  The older child will realize that mother will come back the next day.  Also tell him/her that mother needs to be away a few days in the hospital, and will come back home.

Buy Older Child's Gifts along with New Baby's Gifts
Older child can easily compare and be upset that only new baby received gifts and therefore parents no longer love the same way.  When you buy a toy or a cloth, try to buy one for the older child also.  Make sure, the older one gets enough attention.

Establish a Play date
First few days or weeks are very difficult for the parents.  If you don't have one, establish a play date, so that your older child can go and play together.  It could be very difficult to always take care of two children, so setting a play date and a routine can help a bunch even though it is only an hour or two.

Call and Talk to the Older Child While in Hospital
Although the older child cannot stay in the hospital over night, the hospital do allow older sibling to visit.  Though it could be more difficult to have the older sibling and meet his/her needs, let the older child see the mother and not be separated too much.  When he/she is away, talk over the phone to give comfort and feel secured.

Read Books about Welcoming a New Baby
Reading a book about expecting a new baby is also a good way to let the older child know. Below are some of great books to tell the older child:

• I'm a Big Brother by Joanna Cole and Rosalinda Kightley
• I'm a Big Sister by Joanna Cole and Rosalinda Kightley
• There's Going to Be a Baby by John Burningham and Helen Oxenbury
• My New Baby by Rachel Fuller
  

Let the Older Child Understand through a Doll
Buy a new doll to teach that a new baby will come just like the doll.  Though your child might not understand right away, it will help build connection of being pregnant and expecting a new baby.  Here are some of cute dolls that will inspire nurturing play.