Introducing your new born to siblings

If your child is very young, they are less likely to feel sibling rivalry, but if your older child is a toddler who can speak and let their feelings known, they might find that the new arrival is not what they expected and resent the attention they attract and the disruptions to their routine.

All children want a sibling to play with, but some don’t understand that their baby brother or sister cannot do this for a long while. If they are old enough, they might appreciate being asked to help bathe or feed their sibling, or any task that is suitable for their age, even shaking a rattle for their baby brother or sister is bound to make them feel important.

It’s also worth being really open with them and explain (in a way they can understand) about the new baby and what it means. You can use a dolly or Teddy bear to make them understand what caring for a newborn means.

You also need to consider other people’s behaviour. When the new baby arrives, everybody will be crowding round the crib and giving presents for the little one, which can be upsetting for the older child. To diffuse this, you could help your child buying their own present for the new sibling or ask them to unwrap the gifts. At all times, try to reassure them that you love them as much as ever and give them lots of hugs.

Whatever you decide to do it will take time and patience for your older child or children to adjust to the new arrival. Your older child might even go back to baby behaviour to divert attention from the new arrival. If possible, spend time alone with your older child or ask your partner or a relation to take them for a walk, a swim or to the playground so they can have one-to-one attention.