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It is a moment of great excitement to welcome home a new baby, but it can be a little difficult for an older toddler to adjust to new family member. It can be even more difficult if the toddler is older and was an only child for period of time. Below we have listed some things that you can do to help adjust your toddler to the new baby and new life:
Include your toddler in the Baby Care tasks. Allow them to help you with the little tasks like, feeding and dressing the baby. It will help them accept the baby in to their life if they care for the baby.
It is important that you give attention to the older sibling so that they do not feel neglected or less special. Spend some time with them alone and if possible without the baby being with you. If it is possible ask your spouse to look after the baby while you make the toddler feel loved and cared.
Prepare your toddler for the arrival of a new baby. Talk often with your toddler that there will be a new baby in the family and that how there will be changes with the addition of a new member to the family. This will prepare them and ready to adjust to the baby.
Let them interact with the baby by getting the little bundle of joy to smile and laugh. This will give them an opportunity to know the baby better.
When you organize a Baby Shower or are shopping ensure that you buy something for the toddler also. For example when you Buy Baby Clothes buy something for the toddler as-well, be it clothes or toys. Otherwise they may begin to resent the new baby because of the attention being given to him/her.
Allow them to make plans and decision for the baby. As you and your family prepare to welcome the baby, you will see that that there will be a more “hands-on” baby care from their end if they are involved in the decision process.
You will have to do some shopping for the baby as they will need many small and large items. So, give the toddler a chance to pick a Gift for the Baby. This will make him/her excited and feel as though they already share a unique bond with the baby.
Lastly, try to keep everything normal. If there are too many changes, the toddler will find it hard to adjust to the new baby. If there are going to be changes like for example where the father will have to ready the toddler for school, start this before the newborn arrives so they are not suddenly thrust into these changes.
