When you find out you’re pregnant, everything is sunshine, rainbows, and frantically preparing for the next nine months. Moms and Dads spend pregnancy buying, planning, and going to doctor’s appointments – in essence, thinking about “baby” nonstop. Second-time parents know what to expect (fewer freak outs!), but their world isn’t the only world that’s changing. How can you prepare your older kids for a baby sibling?
Help Siblings Bond with a New Baby
Hear ye, hear ye! Find the right time to share the news with your child(ren). It’s a good idea to wait until the second trimester to tell toddlers, who don’t have a good concept of time (and may blab before you’re ready). If you have older and younger kids, decide if you want to tell them together or keep it an “oldest sibling secret” until the right time.- Prepare for an adventure! Make your older kids part of the experience. Go through their old baby pictures, telling them what to expect when their sibling arrives. Many kids love “big sibling” uniforms like a cute t-shirt or badge. You can also enlist them to share the news with friends and neighbors who don’t know yet. If you need some cute “big sibling reveal” inspiration, there are plenty of adorable pictures on social media.
- Enlist the forces. Get your older child involved in your pregnancy. This may mean asking for an opinion when choosing a baby name or having your toddler help pack your hospital bag. Don’t forget to ask for input when choosing the color/print of your BundleBee 10-second swaddle.
- The main event! Even the most excited older sibs can get jealous when the new baby arrives. Whether the grandparents bring your older kids to the hospital or your toddler waits for you at home, make them feel special. Greet your big kid, making a big show of how much you missed them. When they meet the baby, talk to them about their new sibling role. A BundleBee baby wrap supports infants, making it easy for siblings to hold them without fear. Sit your child firmly in a chair or on a couch, arrange the baby (wrapped in a safe swaddle) in their arms, and stay close to provide added support.
Whether your child passes down their BundleBee or helps shop for a new color for your baby shower registry, we have everything you need right here. Shop online or check out our easy care steps for your new easy swaddling blanket.
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