When 1 + 1 = 4: Preparing your child for your baby
As every mother of children knows, the transition from only child to sibling begins long before a new baby is born. The space in your lap decreases in direct proportion to your belly size; bedrooms are rearranged to accommodate baby’s sleeping space; outgrown toys are cleaned and set at the ready. But who’s to say when your toddler will be ready?
While impending big brotherhood or big sisterhood can be overwhelming and confusing for your child, it doesn’t have to be powerless. Here are a few secrets you can share with him or her, taken from the hand-selected Birth Source library. We hope they’ll help you help your little one to be engaged, excited, and encouraged about the new arrival.
- “Because you’re older, you’ll probably have more privileges. This means you’ll have permission to stay up later and to do other things. You’ll be allowed to cross the street by yourself before he or she is, and you’ll ride a two-wheeler while he or she still rides a tricycle. You’ll know more stuff, ‘cause you’re older.” --- Why Do We Need Another Baby? by Cynthia MacGregor
- “You are Mommy and Daddy’s big helper, and you’re learning just what your baby needs --- the very same things you needed when you were a little baby.”
“It might seem like whenever you see Mommy, the baby is with her, too. But it won’t always be that way. Sometimes Daddy will hold the baby, and you can have special time with Mommy.” --- What Baby Needs by William Sears, M.D.; Martha Sears, R.N.; and Christie Watts Kelly
- “Just put your mouth right up to your mommy’s belly and talk to your baby brother or sister. The tiny baby loves to hear you and your mommy and your daddy talking and singing all day long.” --- Baby on the Way by William Sears, M.D.; Martha Sears, R.N.; and Christie Watts Kelly
Beyond reading to your child about pregnancy, birth, and siblinghood, there are interactive activities you can introduce as well. What about a countdown calendar, a new family lullaby that you write together, or a pair of matching t-shirts that illustrate how much bigger your child is than the new baby? A classic approach may find you buying your toddler his or her own baby doll to practice with, and a modern interpretation could have you enrolling in a local sibling preparedness class.
As a keepsake for both of you, a pregnancy activity book like Making Me by Julie B. Carr is composed in the voice of your new baby to his big brother or sister. With prompts like, “Count how many times Mom goes to the bathroom today!” and “Make a birthday card to give me on my special day,” Making Me introduces siblinghood to your child in a fun, creative, and heartwarming way.
When 1 + 1 = 4 (or more), there are so many opportunities to show your child how much you love them, how proud you are of them, and how much you look forward to seeing them become a big brother or sister. How will you make the most of these forty weeks?
Birth Source Inc. stocks the following hand-selected books about preparing for a second child:
- “Why Do We Need Another Baby?”: Helping your child welcome a new arrival --- with love and illustrations by Cynthia MacGregor
- Baby on the Way by William Sears, M.D.; Martha Sears, R.N.; and Christie Watts Kelly
- What Baby Needs by William Sears, M.D.; Martha Sears, R.N.; and Christie Watts Kelly
- Making Me: The pregnancy activity book for my big brother or sister! By Julie B. Carr
