Toddler ❛Helping❜ Mum a Bit Too Much With Her Newborn Sister

  • Parents Only

By Phoebe Ackland and Lisa Wolff, ellaslist

One of the biggest sources of anxiety for parents is introducing your eldest child to their new sibling. There is a whole library of books available that you can read with your kids before the newborn arrives. But nothing can quite prepare you (and them) for the moment they lose their status as the ‘only child’.

‘Let them be your helper…Get them involved", was the most popular advice I was given when we turned our toddler’s life upside down with the arrival of our twins. However, we all know that there can such a thing as too much help.

We loved this adorable video from our friends at Story Of This Life of a toddler taking her big sister duty maybe a little too seriously.

A Few More Tips For Introducing Bub to Toddler

Introducing your precious little newborn to your existing children is a very precarious situation. Here are a couple of helpful tips on how to make the adjustment as smooth as possible so that sibling love can blossom.

  • Prepare! Did you know it’s likely that when the new bub comes along, your toddler or young child will fall back into old patterns? They may regress to throwing tantrums, or to needing a bit more ‘babying’. If you are prepared for this kind of behaviour, you can be ready to deal with it!
  • Breastfeeding time with your newborn can be a strange experience for your toddler. It’s important that you try to make it a special time for everybody. Maybe reserve some special toys or activities for your child to do nearby. It’s okay if they want to look and touch, just explain to them what your doing and why it’s important. If your toddler wants to be held or cuddled at this time, get them to sit next to you as you read them a story.
  • Make their big sister or big brother role sound really important. Tell them that baby is so excited to grow up and be like them and play with them, and that mummy couldn’t do it without them. However, don’t force on your toddler a need to grow up now – even if this means delaying toilet training, etc. They need to know they’re still your baby, too!
  • Bonding is key. Help your toddler support the baby’s head whilst they have a cuddle – apparently, babies heads give off pheromones that, when inhaled, increase feelings of love and protectiveness. This will help them form their own special relationship with the new bub.

 

 

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