Swansea, UK - How to Help Your Child Prepare for a New Sibling

Welcoming a new bundle of joy is an exciting time for any parent and the blessing you’ve been waiting for has finally arrived, and you can’t wait to show them all the love and devotion in the world. However, this is often a difficult and stressful time for a sibling if they haven't experienced it before.

A newborn being welcomed to your family may not always be a good and exciting thing to an older or first child. The thought of losing all of their parent’s attention and care may bring about feelings of unease, jealousy and sometimes resentment. Children's reactions and emotions can sometimes be hard to understand and can often make the transition a difficult time for expecting parents.

However, you can avoid all this confusion and unrest by preparing your older child well in advance so that the arrival of a new family member is well received and an exciting time for them. The following is a guide to preparing your child for a new baby or sibling.

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Tell your child about the news as early as you can

Experts advise that the sooner you tell your young child of a new sibling and newborn, the sooner they can adjust and get used to the idea of welcoming a new brother or sister into your family. When you find out you are expecting and you have got to a secure point in the pregnancy it’s advisable to tell the older children as soon as you can so they can start to adapt and be excited about their new sibling.

It is a great way of involving them in the journey of your pregnancy and will help them understand if you start experiencing morning sickness and you aren't feeling one hundred per cent. It can be a confusing time for them if they don’t understand why you're feeling tired or unwell so always adapt your communication with them dependent on their age.

In cases where a family adopts or has the child via a surrogate, starting the conversation early will help them understand why the baby won’t be visible until they are born. It is a great time to let your child ask all the questions they may have after telling them about the new sibling they will have.

Talk to your child about the positives of a new baby arriving, and how it will benefit them and you as a family. They will be able to help you when the baby arrives, they will have lots of cuddles and as they get older they will have a brother or sister to play with. Remember that your child will need time to get used to the idea, so it's a good idea to tell the,m as soon as you can, gently and in general conversation without it being the sole thing that you talk about.

Read our full, informative and supportive article here to help you prepare your child for a new sibling.