New Baby on the Way? Here’s How You Can Help Your Toddler Adjust

New Baby on the Way? Here’s How You Can Help Your Toddler Adjust

With a new baby on the way, your family is about to get even more delightful! And while you might be well-prepared for the arrival of a new baby in the house, your firstborn probably isn’t. They may be elated at the thought of finally getting a younger sibling, but they may not be aware of all the changes the little baby is going to bring with him or her.

But as wonderful as it is to bring a new little one into the family, it’s also a big change in the family dynamic, and your firstborn might feel overwhelmed. Your toddler may need some time to warm up to the idea of a new baby, but with a little patience and preparation, you can help them become excited and ready to take on the older sibling role. 

Helping toddlers adjust to a new baby

Gently break the news in a way they’ll understand

It’s never too early to start preparing your little one for the arrival of a new baby. By the time you’re far enough along in your pregnancy to know the baby is healthy and viable, you can begin discussing your child’s future sister or brother with them. Not only will this help them understand what’s to come, but it will also allow them to start feeling excited about the new addition to your family.

If they’re more than three years old, we suggest trying to have a conversation with your kid around the middle stage of your pregnancy. Saying something along the lines of “you’re going to have a new baby brother or sister to play with” will allow them to easily comprehend the news and look forward to the new arrival. 

Assure them that you will always love them

It can be tricky to know how your kid will respond when a new baby joins the family. Some toddlers get excited, while others may get mad and upset, or not even understand what’s going on. If your toddler is a bit older, they might feel like the spotlight is slipping away, and fear that their time of attention would now be divided with the newborn. No matter your child’s reaction to the news, it’s important to reassure them that you and your partner will always love them unconditionally.

It’s also essential to help them understand that after the baby comes, while it may feel like you’re giving the newborn more attention, that is not the case. Assure them that you are only giving different kinds of attention to both of them based on what each child requires. Fix quality hours to spend with your toddler and make sure to give them your undivided attention during that period. Enlighten them on the upcoming changes, and be open to receiving a little regression. If they start crying or protesting, validate their feelings but reassure them that your love will remain the same. Don’t just talk, but also walk the talk. 

Help them anticipate pregnancy changes & how a newborn looks

A fantastic way to illustrate pregnancy for your toddler is to show them pictures of the time before they were born. This is also an excellent way to help them understand the physical changes they will see in you in the coming months. You can show them pictures of what you looked like before your toddler was conceived. Make it fun by asking your toddler what differences there are between those pictures and the way you look now, then progress through pictures where your belly has grown. Be sure to tell your toddler that was them in there!

Having never seen a newborn before, toddlers may be unprepared for what their new sibling looks like. To help manage expectations and ease any anxiety, it may be helpful to show your firstborn some pictures of them when they were a newborn. This will help them understand that babies look a bit different from toddlers and that they will grow and change too. Also, it’s a great opportunity to talk about all the wonderful things that come along with having a new baby in the family.

Make them feel included during the pregnancy

Your children can develop a strong bond with their new sibling even before he or she is born. Include your toddler in as many baby-related activities as possible to get them excited for the new arrival. Let them listen to the baby’s heartbeat, see ultrasound pictures, and feel the baby kick. The more they feel like they are a part of the baby’s life, the more they will be looking forward to becoming a big brother or sister.

Your toddler is about to embark on a new journey with a new family member, do help them settle in & build a strong bond with their new sibling. If you need individual guidance on this topic, Kosh Wellness offers parenting counseling programs along with online parenting classes, webinars, corporate workshops, and more, that will help you understand everything you need to care for your baby and eventually thrive & live a happy parenting life.