The birth of a new baby brings an adjustment period for your whole family, parents and children alike. Having a new baby creates a change in your family’s lifestyle and routine. You can help ease this transition by encouraging a positive family adjustment for everyone.
Brothers and sisters may not understand how much you need to do for the new baby. Be sensitive to quick shifts in emotions and be understanding of your child’s behaviors.
Tips for adjusting at home
- Make time to connect. As important as it is to bond with your newborn, it’s just as important to make special time for your older children. Read a book, color, watch a movie, or go to a sporting event together. Make it a goal to set aside 10 to 15 minutes at least once a day for one-on-one time with your older children.
- Let them help. Provide opportunities for your older children to be involved with simple baby care tasks. Younger ages can bring you diapers or a pacifier. Older siblings might help prepare a bottle or fold burp cloths. This can help build a sibling bond.
- Mind your tone. Try to keep your voice calm. Discipline your older child with understanding and flexibility. Remember a new baby is an adjustment for everyone.
- Keep consistent routines. Reestablish routines for eating, sleeping, napping, shopping, etc. Routines help provide security and comfort during this time of family lifestyle changes. If your older child previously attended day care, consider keeping up the routine two to three days a week. This will allow consistency for your child and allow you to get more rest and spend time with your baby.
- Remind them of their importance. Affirm your older child with comments like “I love you,” or “You are so special to me.” Regular doses of encouragement will help combat any negative feelings of jealousy.
Normal sibling reactions
A new baby in the home can create stress for children. Children handle sibling adjustment differently depending on the child’s temperament and age. Adjusting to a new baby may last one to three months.
Common toddler reactions (1-3 years old)
- Regression: thumb sucking, wanting to drink from a bottle, wetting pants if previously potty trained
- Clinging to parent
- Whining
- Difficulty sleeping
- Increased possessiveness
- Increased temper tantrums
- Ignoring the new baby
Common preschooler reactions (3-5 years old)
- Using baby talk
- Sleep issues
- Whining
- Clinging to parent or other caregiver
- Withdrawing from others
- Increased possessiveness
Common school-age reactions (5-10 years old)
- Verbal tantrums
- Testing limits
- Increased insecurity
Bringing a new baby into the world is certainly something to celebrate, even if it isn’t your first. And when it comes to a big brother or sister, understanding that it’s normal to feel a little jealousy or strong feelings during this change in your family goes a long way.
Learn more
- Preparing your child to become a sibling
- Sibling rivalry actually gives kids valuable experience
- New name surges to most popular girl’s name of 2024
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Posted In Children's, Family Medicine, Parenting
