How to Prepare a Toddler for a New Sibling

Your youngster probably thinks that lump growing under Mommy’s shirt is going to be a ready-made playmate. Little does he know! Here’s how to prepare him for the reality of a new baby in the house.

Step 1: Delay the news
Don’t spill the beans until you’re showing. A very young child won’t get it anyway until he’s got some proof. Plus, the longer you wait, the less time he’ll have to anticipate -- and fret over -- the big event.

Step 2: Don’t push him
Once he knows, don’t push him to grow up. If he’s in diapers, forget potty-training for now. If he’s still in a crib, don’t switch him to a big-kid bed. He’ll feel like he’s being replaced, not promoted.

Step 3: Give him proof
Do all you can to make the baby a reality for your child. Have him talk or sing to your belly. Let him feel the baby moving around in there.

Tip
If your doctor or midwife allows it, and you’re comfortable with it, bring your child along to your prenatal checkups. Ask the doctor to let your child listen to the baby’s heartbeat.

Step 4: Involve him
Let your child help prepare for the baby. Ask him what he thinks the baby’s name should be. Let him pick out something special for the nursery.

Step 5: Get some books
Get some children’s books about a mommy who is having another baby and read them to your child.

Step 6: Show baby pictures
Show your child pictures of himself as a baby. Tell him what he was like as a newborn. Explain that just like him, the new baby will be a big kid someday.

Step 7: Buy a baby doll
Give your child a baby doll, one that’s about the size of a newborn and as lifelike as possible. Show him how to take care of it so he’ll understand what you’re up to when the real thing comes along.

Tip
If you have a friend with a newborn, ask if you can bring your child for a visit, so he can see a real infant in action.

Step 8: Stock up on gifts
Stock up on big-sib gifts. Most people will include a toy for your older child when they bring or send a baby gift. When they don’t, you’ll be able to stave off jealousy with something from your secret stash.

Step 9: Make him a helper
When you bring the baby home, give your older child special jobs. Put him in charge of making sure visitors are gentle with the baby--this will insure his own good behavior, too.

Step 10: Multitask
Perfect the art of multitasking. Read to your child while you nurse the baby. Play make-believe with him while you change a diaper. The less left out he feels, the faster you’ll all be one big, happy family.

Did You Know?
In one national parenting survey, 30 percent of the people polled said that if they knew then what they know now, they would not have had children.

[zee]

that little fact at the end was so dumb. Someone is having more than 2 kids and in retrospect they decide they would rather have not has any? How encouraging for those who are excited for the new baby. crazy

[marleneberam]

I was so excited to find this for my daughter in law but was completely turned off with the horrible statistic at the end. What was the point of that? Now I don't want to recommend it. Is there a way to delete that?

[chickenmomoshow]

*Kid inside car seat*
Mom: Somebody's gonna be a big brother!
Kid:

[andreapatane]

Kids can be a handful when it comes to the sight of a toddler looking forward to becoming a big brother or a big sister.

[ligita]

lol pause at 1:22 look they just taped baby names book over the cover and you can clearly see on the spine of the book that its tom sawyer lol what kid understands that?

[MissCandyDelight]

awwww the boy looks adorable. but no way am i ready for kid

[kornworkman]

The baby names book is actually Tom sauyer

[KagamineLenX]

random but those young kids are pretty good actors...waii better than me...i cant act 4 mi life D':

[majormana]

step 1 learn to tell diffrrnce between a toddler and preschooler. toddler 11-35 months preschooler 3-4 yr old that kid looked at least 3.

[cookiemonsterules]

@KiuKiu96 omfg, you're so right!

[mysteryknight]

lol when i saw the title, i only saw how to prepare a toddler, and i thoguht what the heck?? i mean it looked like it was telling you how to cook a baby!!

[ryanskidmore]

@minirey360 Ehm, I would like proof of that.

[krisfaun]

if you are parent that needs to watch a video that is less than three minutes about parenting, you shouldn't be getting a second child to begin with.

[ryanskidmore]

@minirey360 Hah, Go through puberty and then throw an insult back. Also, Learn how to make insults that make sense.