Ryan is switched on about a lot of things, but I really don’t think he fully comprehends what’s happening, and how his life is going to change.

In order to prepare Ryan for what’s to come, I thought I’d list some ways that I can prepare him for the birth of his new sibling.

If you’re in the same situation as I am, and you would like some ideas on how to prepare your child for a new sibling, then hopefully this post will provide some assistance.

HOW TO PREPARE YOUR CHILD FOR A NEW BABY BEFORE THE BABY ARRIVES

Some ways that you can prepare your child for a new baby before the baby is born include:

TALK ABOUT THE NEW BABY AS MUCH AS YOU CAN

Talk to your child about the new baby whenever you can, as early as you can, and in ways that they will understand.

Some ideas on how to do this are:

• Let them feel the baby when it moves, and tell them what’s happening
• Let them help set up the baby’s furniture
• Let them choose new clothes and bedding for the baby
• Let them know that eventually they will have someone to play with, but at first all the new baby will do is cry, eat, and sleep

BRING FORWARD ANY NEW ROUTINES

If you were due to start something new at the time your baby is due, think about starting them a few weeks before the baby is due, or a few months after.

Some examples of this include moving your child into their own bedroom, or from a cot to a bed, and toilet training.

If you can do these things a few weeks before the baby is due, you’ll have time to iron out any teething problems.

If you’d rather wait until after the baby is born that’s okay too, just give yourself a few months to get used to having two children before trying any new routines with your older child.

Here are some tips on how to toilet train your child when they and you are ready.

GET YOUR PARTNER  TO SPEND EXTRA TIME WITH YOUR CHILD

If you spend the majority of time with your child, start to get your partner to spend more time with them, as well as take over tasks that you normally do so they rely less on you, as when the baby comes your time will be spent doing a lot of newborn things.

This may be challenging, I know, as Ryan likes for certain parents to do certain things. For example, he is very particular about who reads what book for him at night, and won’t even let Nick tuck him in or dry him after his bath. These, as well as many others, will be our challenges in the upcoming weeks.

If dad can spend some extra time with your child before the baby arrives, they will start to create their own special moments and routines, which may help lessen the shock of the sudden 100% attention time being severely minimised once a new baby is in the picture.

ACTIVITY IDEAS TO PREPARE YOUR CHILD FOR A NEW SIBLING

Here are a few activity ideas to prepare your child for a new sibling:

• Let them listen to the baby’s heartbeat at hospital visits
• Download a pregnancy app and let them see the image of the baby week by week. Ryan actually thinks the baby on my app is his sibling
• Read books about the arrival of a new sibling, some great ones are Topsy and Tim: The New Baby, What Brother’s Do Best, and Little Big Girl.
• Visit friends and family who have babies so your child is as exposed as possible to what having a baby actually means
• Show your child their baby photos so they can see that they were once a baby, and now they are someone fun to play with, which is what will eventually happen with their sibling 

The activity you choose will depend upon the comprehension levels of your child.

If your child is younger than two, reading baby related books, and talking about the new baby whenever you can may be the best way to help them understand what’s about to happen.

Children two to school age have had a long time where it was just them getting their parents attention, so a new sibling may bring out feelings of jealousy or negativity.

For children this age telling them that at first the baby will need a lot of attention as they can’t talk or walk yet, getting them as involved as possible to a level they are comfortable with, and even getting them a doll, which is their own baby, may be the best things to do with this age group.

HOW TO PREPARE YOUR CHILD FOR A NEW BABY AFTER THE BABY ARRIVES

Some ways that you can prepare your child for a new baby after the baby is born include:

THINGS TO DO WHEN A NEW BABY COMES HOME

To prepare your child for a new sibling when the baby first comes home, try to include them in the new routines as much as you can, but to a level they are happy with.

This means that everything will take so much longer, but ultimately you want your child to feel as comfortable about their new situation as possible, and feel like they’re not coming in second best.

Some things that your child can help with include getting nappies, wipes, and clothes, talking to the baby when they’re getting changed, and even gently rocking them.

You may also consider getting your child a gift from the new baby, as well as having some spare gifts in storage to give to your child just in case visitors come with gifts for the new baby, so they don’t feel left out.

Another idea to try is taking your child to a special place, like a playground, to celebrate them becoming an older brother or sister after the baby arrives.

SPEND TIME EACH DAY WITH YOUR CHILD

To help your child adjust to their new sibling, and to avoid feelings of insecurity when the baby starts to become more interactive, carve some special one on one time together every day. This will help them not feel neglected.

It’s totally normal for your child to feel negative feelings towards their new sibling at some stage, as their life has changed a lot. If this happens don’t make them feel like they aren’t doing what a big brother or sister should be doing, just try to support their feelings.

LET YOUR CHILD HELP, BUT DON’T LET HELPER BE THEIR NEW ROLE

If your child wants to help do things for the baby embrace it, but don’t let them become mummies little helper, as they’ll feel that’s the only way they can now get attention, which may lead to negative feelings towards you and the new baby.

If they do help praise them, but be sure to maintain your special one on one time away from baby duties each day to assure them that they are still loved, like they were prior to baby’s arrival.

How will you prepare your child for the arrival of a new sibling?