How to successfully introduce a sibling

How to successfully introduce a sibling

Finding out you are having another baby can be such an exciting time but for your other children it can also be daunting. No doubt you’ll have told them they will be a big brother or big sister, and highlighted some positives of this but even if they are looking forward to their sibling’s arrival it’s still a big change that they need to adjust too. There are however some things you can do to ease the transition and set yourself up for success when it comes to your baby’s arrival. I’ve listed my top five tips for  successfully introducing a sibling below. 

1. Be mindful of the language you use. Try to talk about the baby in a positive light. Instead of saying ‘I can’t play with you right now because I’m feeding the baby’ say something like ‘I’d love to play with you. Once feeding time is done we can do a puzzle’.  I would also avoid using the word ‘new’ when talking about your baby because you don’t want to give any indication to your older children that they are being replaced. It’s natural for older siblings to feel threatened so reassuring them of how special they are is very important. 

2. When you first introduce your baby to their older sibling try and do it somewhere neutral so that the baby isn’t in your arms or your space. Again this minimises the chances of your older child feeling threatened because they are less likely to feel that they are being replaced. Putting your baby in their car seat or Moses basket works well. 

3. Give any older siblings a small gift from the baby. You don’t have to spend lots or give anything fancy. Just something to show your older children that your baby loves them and can’t wait to meet them. You can also ask your older children to pick something for the baby too as this will help to establish a positive relationship. 

4. Help your older children feel they have some power and control over the situation by involving them in decisions such as clothes, toys, names etc. This helps them to feel valued and cements the feelings of belonging. 

5. Make sure you prioritise 1:1 time with your older children. Let them know you look forward to spending quality time with them and that they are special to you.