Easy Ways To Prepare Your Older Kid For A New Baby

by Alice Thomas Writer

Your session with an ultrasound baby scan clinic is certainly making you very happy and exciting. But if you are not sure how to break this news to your elder child, you are not laone, deading with the same dilemma. It is not easy for a toddler to understand that suddenly he/she is not going to be the only kid in the home anymore. Depending on the age of your kid, breaking the news to them should be handled accordingly. It’s important that your child does not feel left out, neglected, or jealous. We asked some women how they handled these problems. Read on to find out how they managed to do it tastefully.

1) Taking your kid to ultrasound baby scan clinic.

There is never really a good time to tell your kid that he/she is going to have a sibling. Mrs. Benson of Leicester shared that she took her 5-year-old son with her to the Ultrasound baby scan clinic when she was 5 months pregnant. She showed him his baby sister through the scan and, he listened to her heartbeat. Even though she was apprehensive about his reaction, you can imagine what his reaction was. He was overjoyed to listen to her heartbeat.

2) Talk to your kid about it.

Most times we tend to think that kids don’t understand much. Mrs. Harley said that it's not true for all kids. She and her husband sat with their 4-year-old daughter and told her all about the new member of the family to come.You can also take them to families who have babies and tell them they will have a younger sibling as well.

3) Tell them they are Not a playmate but someone to take care of.

A mother of two express that you need to make your toddler understand that the new baby won’t be able to play with him all the time. in fact giving them a feeling of responsibility works out well. When she told her son that once the baby arrives, he will have to be a responsible brother as his little brother would be crying a lot most of the time, and will be needed to be taken care of. Furthermore, she also took her 3-year-old son with her to buy clothes and other things for the baby. Asking opinions from your child during shopping for your baby makes them feel important and responsible.

4) Let them feel the baby.

If your older kid is still a toodler, he/she might not understand everything, but sharing emotions helps immensely, either way. Mrs. Kimberley says that taking her 2-year-old son to the ultrasound baby scan clinic didn’t quite work out well in the first go. He couldn’t quite grasp what was happening and started feeling quite frustated. But it all changed when she was in the third trimester and the baby kicked for the first time. When she encouraged his son to feel the kicks, he got excited and forgot all about his jealousy.

Even after you bring your baby home, it is important that you make your older kid understand that their importance is not less, just because there is another baby in the home. However tired you might be, keep interacting with him/her and give proper attention as needed. Your older kid should not, by any chance feel alone but in turn, should also learn to be patient.