| > | | | | baby move, answer his questions and read him |
| Tips on how to help your first born adjust to a new | | | | books so he understands that the reason mother's |
| baby. Bringing a new baby home is an exciting time. | | | | body is changing is because of the baby. |
| Make it fun for your older children too. | | | | Make Him Feel Special and Important |
| Include Your Child From the Beginning | | | | Any young child is bound to feel a bit jealous when |
| Include your child in the new baby's arrival from the | | | | they see all the new things that the baby is getting |
| very beginning. Let them know that they are going | | | | like cool baby clothes from showers. Having a |
| to be the big sister or brother. Take the time to | | | | completely separate big brother or sister celebrations |
| express to your child the benefits that this will have | | | | where you suggest that your friends bring a small |
| for him and the role he will play in the family | | | | gift for your older child can combat this feeling. |
| dynamics. Be sure and express to your child that you | | | | Offering a gift or two just because he plays a new |
| will always love him just as much as before and now | | | | role in the family can go a long way in making your |
| he will be loved even more from his new baby | | | | first born fit into his new role. |
| brother or sister. Let him know that he will be | | | | Take him on a Tour of the Hospital Nursery |
| receiving more love not less. Allow him to help with | | | | If at all possible arrange with the hospital staff to |
| making decisions regarding the baby. A two year old | | | | take your child on a tour of the delivery room and |
| can even appreciate helping in the decisions and | | | | nursery. Expressing that this will be where your new |
| feeling included. For example take him shopping with | | | | brother or sister will stay until arriving home. Let your |
| you to buy a cool baby shower gift, let him choose | | | | first born feel important by telling him or her that you |
| between two choices which he thinks the new baby | | | | need their help keeping dad company until you return, |
| will like the best. | | | | so that they are feeling helpful. If you want your |
| Let him assist in helping decorate the nursery | | | | child to really accept the new baby coming home |
| Even if that help is confined to putting small objects | | | | then give your child a little reassurance that |
| on a low shelf let him help. Allow your child to choose | | | | everything is going to be wonderful. Always being |
| a unique toy to give to his new brother or sister. | | | | sure to include your first born will make the |
| Another option may be giving your older child a new | | | | adjustment to the new baby that much easier on |
| toy and explain that the new gift is from the baby. | | | | both of you. |
| As your pregnancy progresses allow him to feel the | | | | |