Monday 3 August 2009

Preparing your child for a new baby.

New arrivals mean major changes for the entire family. Children can be excited about the arrival of a new baby. They may be very gentle and caring and yet at other times they can be jealous and agressive towards a sibling. Preparing your child for a new brother or sister can help get this new relationship of to a good start.

Tell your child about the new baby about 3 months before the baby is due. Do not tell your child you are having a baby to give them a new friend. Children may be dissapointed when the new baby sleeps most of the time and does not play with them.

Explain a little about babies to your child. There are a variety of good books written for children about the arrival of a new baby. These can help you help your child to know what to expect. If you chose this time to move your child from a cot to a bed do not use the baby as a reason. It is far better to explain that "you are a big girl now so it's time for you to have a big girl's bed."
Avoid making any changes to your child's routine in the month before the arrival of the new baby.

Tell your child ahead of time where you will be going when baby is born and who will look after them until your return. When you do return after the birth be available to give your first child your full attention. Be consistent use the same approach as you used before baby arrived with the same rules and consequenses for unwanted behaviour. Try to mainitian the routines your child is used to. It is important that your older child is given some uninterrupted time and space for play away from baby each day.

If you need help in moving your child from cot to bed ;-
Contact Dream-Angus.com we can help.