Articles
New sibling: Preparing your older child
How will my older child react to seeing me breast-feed the new baby?
Content
How can I prepare my older child for a new sibling?
How should I introduce my older child to his or her new sibling?
What can I do to help my older child adjust to having a new sibling?
What should I do if my child begins to act out?
How can I encourage my older child to be gentle with the new baby?
How will my older child react to breast-feeding?
How do I explain a medical concern to my older child?
How do multiple babies affect older siblings?
How do I prepare my older child for an adopted sibling?
How do I explain a medical concern to my older child?
If your new baby has health issues, explain to your older child that his or her baby sister or brother is sick, and you're worried. If your baby needs to stay in the hospital after he or she is born, ask about the sibling visitation policy. You might also take pictures of the baby and show them to your older child.
Keep in mind that if you don't talk to your older child about the baby's condition, he or she will likely still sense that something is wrong. Rather than keeping your older child in the dark, give him or her some information about the situation and show that you're there for him or her.
