The moment you find out you are having your baby number 2, you might’ve been excited thinking about telling your husband, thinking about your growing family or imagining your firstborn playing with your newborn. But before you jump off to that, have a plan too as to when are you going to tell the big news to the soon to be big sister/brother. After all, he or she will be one of those who will be affected with the big change that’s about to come.
How Soon Should You Tell Him/Her that Another Baby is on the Way?
For me, it would be better if you start telling him that he’s going to have a little sibling soon and the baby is inside your tummy before you tell everybody else. The earlier you tell him, the longer he’ll have time to gasp what’s going on before the baby arrives. And aside from that, I’m sure you don’t want him to find it out from anybody else aside from you, right?
How to Get Him Ready for His Sibling
•Educate him about the newborn baby
Take time to explain to him that the new baby will be a very precious and little human. Delicate and sensitive. Educate him of what he needs to be careful about like the soft spot in the baby’s head, and that the baby still don’t have a full control with his neck and head. To further give him what to imagine, show to him his old pictures when he’s still a newborn so that he will be able to picture out.
•Read storybooks about siblings or let him watch cartoons about siblings
By this, he will be able to adjust his emotions on what’s about to come. He will have an idea on how to behave and how he can be of help when little brother or sister is already around.
•Daddy-Time
Make sure that before the baby arrives, daddy gets to spend more time with your firstborn. Make it a regular part of the daily routine so that your firstborn will not have a hard time when mommy’s attention will be focused to the new baby. At least he got daddy with him and they have started establishing the bond already.
•Equality between siblings
Even if your hands and head are so full with the newborn already that you don’t have much time to bond with your firstborn, make him understand that your love is ever just the same. Nothing can ever change that. But as of the moment, everyone is till under adjustmant of having the little newborn. Find the most conforting words as you explain this one.
•Practice-Play
Give your firstborn his first assignment as an older sibling. Rehearse playing with him like dancing and singing for the baby, gently holding the hands, watching the baby when mommy needs a second to grab something. Prepare him by practicing being a good big brother or sister.
•Constant Reminding
Remind him always that the baby is very sensitive and delicate. He needs to be extra careful and gentle in moving around the baby. Tell him some do’s and don’ts and explain to him everything so he will take it by heart.
It’s never really easy how to handle two or more kids at the same time. You need to adjust your pace for each and everyone. It needs a lot of patience too especially if the firstborn wants to explore. But if you extend your understanding and patience, do lots of sacrifices, together with the help of your partner and loved ones, everything will all be working just great. Good luck mommy!
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