Somebody’s Jealous…

If you have more than one child, then you have probably already seen some jealousy on the part of the older child. Sometimes, it does not come in the form of anger or sadness. Sometimes it takes other forms, such as acting out or bedwetting. When you first tell your oldest child that you are pregnant and they will have a little brother or sister coming, they are likely really excited about it. When they first see the newborn baby, who initially sleeps a lot, it’s still not a big deal. But then reality sets in as their baby brother or sister gets older and needs more and more attention.

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When his little brother came along, my oldest son was pretty well potty trained. Then, as the new baby started needing more attention – suddenly there was more soiled clothing than usual and we had to practically start potty training all over again!

Here are a few tips to make the transition easier for your older child:

· From the very start, reassure your older child just how much you love them.

· Involve your older child in any way possible to help in taking care of their new sibling. They can bring you a diaper, hold the bottle while you are feeding the baby (with your help), or even sing a song to the baby. Babies ADORE other littles being around them and interacting with them!

· Make time for one on one time with your older child. At first this will probably be during your baby’s naps, but as the baby grows and is awake more during the day, taking shorter naps or no naps at all, see if dad, grandma, or auntie can help with the baby while you give your older child that special time that is dedicated just to them!

Being an older sibling can be hard, but with the tips we’ve outlined and a little patience – can be a rewarding and enjoyable experience for the whole family!!