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October 22, 2012
Bringing home a new baby can be quite an adjustment! That adjustment is taken to a whole other level when you already have other children at home, too!
So, how do you help that new big brother or big sister adjust to the newest addition to the family? Here are a few tips:
1. Mommy’s Little Helper!
One of the first things you will notice is that your older son or daughter is going to want to help with the baby! This makes him feel needed, a little grown-up, and a bit more in control of his changing surroundings. So, indulge his helpfulness!
Sure, your toddler or preschooler isn’t ready to change those diapers but let him bring you a clean diaper during changing time, find baby’s pacifier, or entertain baby during tummy time! That last one was my daughter’s favorite thing to do with her new baby brother!
2. Make a date!
A big adjustment for big brother will be sharing his time with you with the new baby…and babies tend to take quite a bit of time! While your one on one time with big brother might be scaled back at first, there is no reason not to make just as special!
When baby is down for a nap, take a little time to envelop yourself in your toddler or preschooler’s favorite activity – coloring, reading, building blocks, etc.! Or create a special at-home movie date with your little guy – pop some popcorn and pile into your bed with one of his favorite movies! And, when you’re feeling up to it, leave baby home with a trusted care giver and take big brother out for lunch, ice cream, or a trip to your favorite play area. It doesn’t matter what you’re doing, it only matters that he’s seeing that you value your time with him!
3. Celebrate her new status!
Toddlers and preschoolers love receiving gifts! Why not celebrate your toddler or preschooler’s new status as Big Sister with a fun new gift! Not only does this help her feel like she’s a part of the celebration of this new baby, but it will also keep her occupied those first few weeks of bringing home baby!
Your toddler will be entertained for hours with the new Alphabet Activity Cube and it’s five sides of interaction! They can sit at your feet in the nursery as you feed baby, showing you how they can stack the building blocks, learn letters & numbers, and even make pretend phone calls to grandma and grandpa!
If you have a preschooler, then you definitely need to check out Cogsley, our new learning robot! With his 30 learning chips, Coglsey will have your “big” guy learning numbers & letters, spelling, dancing, and even speaking some French, Spanish, Chinese and German in the time it takes you to change a diaper!
The biggest tip I can give you as you bring home baby #2 is to just go easy on yourself! It takes time for everyone to adjust to the changes that a new baby can bring. There will be good days and there will be rough days. Every child adjusts to a new baby sister or brother a little differently. Just take it one day at a time!
So, how do you help that new big brother or big sister adjust to the newest addition to the family? Here are a few tips:
1. Mommy’s Little Helper!
One of the first things you will notice is that your older son or daughter is going to want to help with the baby! This makes him feel needed, a little grown-up, and a bit more in control of his changing surroundings. So, indulge his helpfulness!
Sure, your toddler or preschooler isn’t ready to change those diapers but let him bring you a clean diaper during changing time, find baby’s pacifier, or entertain baby during tummy time! That last one was my daughter’s favorite thing to do with her new baby brother!
2. Make a date!
A big adjustment for big brother will be sharing his time with you with the new baby…and babies tend to take quite a bit of time! While your one on one time with big brother might be scaled back at first, there is no reason not to make just as special!
When baby is down for a nap, take a little time to envelop yourself in your toddler or preschooler’s favorite activity – coloring, reading, building blocks, etc.! Or create a special at-home movie date with your little guy – pop some popcorn and pile into your bed with one of his favorite movies! And, when you’re feeling up to it, leave baby home with a trusted care giver and take big brother out for lunch, ice cream, or a trip to your favorite play area. It doesn’t matter what you’re doing, it only matters that he’s seeing that you value your time with him!
3. Celebrate her new status!
Toddlers and preschoolers love receiving gifts! Why not celebrate your toddler or preschooler’s new status as Big Sister with a fun new gift! Not only does this help her feel like she’s a part of the celebration of this new baby, but it will also keep her occupied those first few weeks of bringing home baby!
Your toddler will be entertained for hours with the new Alphabet Activity Cube and it’s five sides of interaction! They can sit at your feet in the nursery as you feed baby, showing you how they can stack the building blocks, learn letters & numbers, and even make pretend phone calls to grandma and grandpa!
If you have a preschooler, then you definitely need to check out Cogsley, our new learning robot! With his 30 learning chips, Coglsey will have your “big” guy learning numbers & letters, spelling, dancing, and even speaking some French, Spanish, Chinese and German in the time it takes you to change a diaper!
The biggest tip I can give you as you bring home baby #2 is to just go easy on yourself! It takes time for everyone to adjust to the changes that a new baby can bring. There will be good days and there will be rough days. Every child adjusts to a new baby sister or brother a little differently. Just take it one day at a time!
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