A Few Steps Toward a Happier Family

Preparing children for a new baby Before your new baby is born, you can help your child feel positive about their new sibling. They need preparation, communication and plenty of understanding. If you can make this a positive and exciting time, your child is more likely to feel that the change is about everybody in the family, not just the new baby. Here are some ideas to help you do this:

• Read stories about babies. Look at pictures and talk with your child about how your family is growing.
• Show your child pictures of themselves when they were very young.
• Let your child touch the baby bump to feel the new baby moving and kicking inside. You could even let them listen to the baby’s heartbeat at a visit to the doctor or midwife.
• Involve your child in the practical business of getting ready for the new baby. Let them help you get your home ready, buy baby items and decorate. Talk with your child about what they’re most looking forward to when the new baby comes.
• If your child is worried about the new baby, talk with them about their worries and reassure them. Give your child plenty of love and cuddles, and focus on the positives. For example, they’ll have a new brother or sister to love.

It’s also a good idea to give your child an idea of what it’s like to have a new baby in the family:

• If possible, spend some time with friends and their newborns. Your child will see that new babies are very sleepy and need a lot of care.
• Let your child know that the baby will be a separate little person with their own needs.
• Encourage your child to socialise and play with other children. This helps your child develop the social skills to have a good relationship with a new sibling. Perhaps you can join a playgroup, or arrange for extended family members – both children and grown-ups – to spend some time with your child.