Having a new baby is a wonderful blessing for a family.  However, the happiness parents feel about the having a new child may not be shared by their youngest child.  To a young child, a new baby may appear like a threat to the previously held “position” in the family.  It is your duty to help your child feel comfortable about the changes that are happening and will continue to happen in your family with the arrival of a new child.

Here are some of the things you can do to help your child adjust to the role of becoming a big brother or sister:

• Talk to your child about your pregnancy as soon as you learn of the news- once you learn of the news, tell your child about the wonderful news.  You don’t have to sound too excited about it. Just tell it how it is and assure your child that having a baby is a good thing for the family.
• Tell your child how magical having a baby is- tell your child stories about how it was when you were pregnant with him/her.
• Buy your child gifts- young children may feel a tinge of jealousy not just from attention that the baby gets but also from the lavish presents that the new baby will receive from friends and family.  Make sure you buy your child gifts. Tell him/her being a big brother/sister is also a reason for celebration and presents.
• Long before the baby’s arrival, teach your child some tasks he/she can do when the baby arrives- teach your child where you will keep the diapers or little items for your baby and teach your child to hand the items to you when you ask for them.  Show your baby that there are opportunities for him to ‘join in the fun’.
• Share the whole experience with your child- Let your child feel your tummy when the baby starts to kick; let your child come with you on your shopping trips for the new baby and let your child choose items for the baby; show the ultrasound images to your child; ask your child for name suggestions for the new baby.
• Be patient when your child shows signs of regression- your baby may decide he or she wants to drink milk from a bottle or do other baby things.  Allow your child to regress for a while but explain to the child why drinking from a glass is preferable and why there are things that he or she should do.