How to Prepare Your Toddler For A New Baby’s Arrival
The arrival of a new baby is exciting, but it can also be intimidating, particularly if you already have a toddler at home. While you’ve already done it once before, introducing the second baby to your toddler can cause a mixed reaction. You may not be sure how your child will react or the best way to go about it. If you’re getting ready to bring home a new baby, here are our tips to make the process easier.
Start teaching your toddler patience
The hardest part about being an older sibling is learning that your baby brother or sister may often need more attention than you. It’s important you recognise that your toddler may struggle with this and allow them to feel frustrated. It’s a good idea to begin teaching them to wait and have patience when they want something. If you are at your child’s constant beck and call, they may not understand why all of a sudden you can’t meet their needs immediately. Over time, let your toddler wait longer periods of time when they ask for something so that when the baby comes they know they can hold on for a little longer.
Visit a friend with a baby
It’s a good idea to get your toddler used to being around other babies because they’ll need to understand how to treat them without hurting them. Toddlers can be energetic and excited. Teaching them to be gentle is a good way to ensure they know how to handle their younger sibling. It can also be quite hard for toddlers to understand that the bump of your tummy will one day be a small baby that needs caring for. Taking them to spend some time with a baby will help them understand that the bump will soon mean they’ll have a baby sibling!
Introducing your toddler to your baby
The first few moments of meeting your baby are important for your toddler. One thing you can do is make sure you give your toddler an enthusiastic greeting. It’s likely they won’t have seen you or spent any time with you for a couple of days so they may be missing you. Allow someone else to hold the baby while you give your toddler a hug. Once you have spent some time making them feel loved and special you can introduce them once your toddler is ready.
Drive home for your toddler
You can make the experience more inclusive for your toddler by meeting you at the hospital and driving home with you and the baby. They may feel jealous if you turn up at home with a baby and arms full of chocolates and balloons and your toddler may feel like they’ve missed out. Going home as a family is a great way to show your toddler that they are just as much your baby as your newborn.
Hoping to make your toddler feel special? At ClayBear Official we stock great quality baby and toddler clothing as well as animal bedding sets, stroller organisers and toy storage hampers. These can help make your toddler feel excited and help prepare you to bring home your newborn. Visit our website to view our range.