Summary:
Welcoming a new baby into the family is an exciting and joyful event, but it can also bring some challenges, especially for older children who may feel anxious or jealous about the new addition. As parents, it is important to involve older siblings in the process and help them adjust to the changes. In this blog post, we will discuss 50 ways for older children to support and bond with their new baby sibling.
1. Involve them in preparations: From setting up the nursery to choosing baby names, involve older children in the preparations for the new baby. This will make them feel included and excited about the arrival.
2. Read books about new siblings: Reading books about new siblings can help prepare older children for the changes that come with a new baby. It can also help them understand their new role as a big brother or sister.
3. Talk about their feelings: Encourage older children to express their feelings about the new baby. Let them know that it is normal to feel a range of emotions and that you are there to listen and support them.
4. Take a prenatal class together: If possible, attend a prenatal class with your older child. This will give them a better understanding of what to expect during the pregnancy and birth.
5. Have a special day: Plan a special day with your older child before the baby arrives. This could be a fun outing or just spending some quality one-on-one time together.
6. Let them help with baby shower planning: If you are having a baby shower, let your older child help with the planning. They can help with decorations, games, or even make a special gift for the new baby.
7. Prepare a welcome gift: Have your older child prepare a special gift for the new baby. This could be a handmade item or a toy that they think the baby will like.
8. Practice baby care: Allow older children to practice taking care of a baby by using a doll or stuffed animal. This will help them feel more comfortable when the real baby arrives.
9. Talk about what babies can and cannot do: It is important to set realistic expectations for older siblings when it comes to the new baby. Let them know that babies cry, sleep a lot, and need a lot of attention, but they cannot play or do things like older children.
10. Assign a special job: Give your older child a special job to do with the new baby, such as picking out the baby’s outfit for the day or helping with diaper changes.
11. Involve them in feeding: If you are breastfeeding, have your older child help with bringing a burp cloth or holding a book while you nurse. If you are bottle-feeding, they can help with getting the bottle ready or holding the baby while you feed.
12. Encourage gentle touch: Teach older children how to gently touch and interact with the new baby. This will help promote sibling bonding and prevent accidents.
13. Let them help with bath time: Older children can help with bath time by getting a towel or bath toys, or even splashing in the water with the baby (under close supervision).
14. Have a sibling photo shoot: Take pictures of your older child with the new baby to capture this special moment and create lasting memories.
15. Play dress-up: Older children can have fun dressing up the new baby in different outfits. This will also help them feel more involved and responsible for their new sibling.
16. Encourage singing and talking to the baby: Babies love hearing their siblings’ voices, so encourage older children to sing or talk to the baby. This will also help them bond and feel connected.
17. Plan a special outing: Plan a special outing with just the older child and the baby. This could be a walk in the park, a trip to the zoo, or a visit to a relative’s house.
18. Have a sibling bedtime routine: Establish a bedtime routine where older children can help with getting the baby ready for bed. This could include reading a bedtime story or singing a lullaby.
19. Make a sibling scrapbook: Create a scrapbook together with your older child, filled with pictures and mementos of the new baby’s first days and months.
20. Create a sibling calendar: Make a calendar where older children can mark important milestones and events for the new baby, such as the first smile or first tooth.
21. Encourage sharing: Teach older children about sharing and taking turns with the new baby. This will help prevent conflicts and promote a positive sibling relationship.
22. Plan a play date with other siblings: If you have friends with babies or other siblings, plan a play date where your older child can interact and play with other siblings. This will also help them see that having a new baby is a common experience.
23. Let them help with chores: Involve older children in age-appropriate chores, such as picking up toys or helping with laundry. This will make them feel helpful and responsible.
Sibling Support: 50 Ways for Older Children to Help with a New Baby in the Family
24. Have a sibling sleepover: Plan a sleepover where your older child can sleep in the same room as the new baby. This will help them bond and get used to the baby’s nighttime routine.
25. Create a sibling time capsule: Make a time capsule with your older child, filled with items and memories from their first year with the new baby. Open it together when the baby turns one.
26. Play games together: Older children can play simple games with the new baby, such as peek-a-boo or patty-cake. This will also help with their cognitive and social development.
27. Share family stories: Share stories about the family and your older child’s own birth with the new baby. This will help them feel connected and create a sense of family identity.
28. Write a story together: Have your older child write or draw a story about their new baby sibling. This will not only foster creativity but also help them express their feelings.
29. Go on a nature walk: Take a walk in nature with your older child and the new baby. This will not only provide fresh air and exercise but also create a peaceful and bonding experience.
30. Bake together: Involve older children in baking something special for the new baby, such as cookies or a cake. They can also help with decorating it.
31. Have a sibling dance party: Put on some music and have a dance party with the new baby and older child. This will not only be fun but also help them bond through movement.
32. Create a sibling journal: Start a journal together with your older child, where they can write or draw their thoughts and experiences with the new baby.
33. Give them a special gift from the baby: Have the new baby “give” a special gift to the older sibling, such as a toy or book. This will help them feel loved and included.
34. Go on a sibling date: Plan a special date with just the new baby and the older sibling. This could be a trip to the park, a children’s museum, or a picnic in the backyard.
35. Teach them how to help with chores: Older children can help with chores related to the new baby, such as throwing away diapers or putting away toys. This will also teach them responsibility and independence.
36. Make a sibling handprint or footprint art: Create a piece of art together with your older child and the new baby using their handprints or footprints. This will be a special keepsake for both of them.
37. Record the baby’s firsts: Encourage your older child to help record the baby’s milestones, such as the first word or first crawl. This will help them feel involved and proud of their new sibling’s achievements.
38. Have a movie night: Watch a family-friendly movie with your older child and the new baby. This will be a relaxing and enjoyable bonding experience for all.
39. Have a sibling storytime: Let your older child read or tell stories to the new baby. This will help them develop their reading and storytelling skills while also fostering sibling bonding.
40. Create a sibling handshake: Have your older child and the new baby create a special handshake or secret code that only they know. This will be a fun and unique way for them to bond.
41. Have a sibling treasure hunt: Create a treasure hunt with clues and small prizes for your older child to find. This will not only be a fun activity but also help them feel special and loved.
42. Have a sibling fort-building competition: Let your older child and the new baby build forts using blankets and pillows. This will encourage teamwork and creativity while also providing a fun bonding experience.
43. Have a sibling craft day: Plan a day where your older child and the new baby can do simple crafts together, such as painting or making paper crafts. This will not only be fun but also help them develop their fine motor skills.
44. Teach them a new skill: Older children can teach the new baby a new skill, such as how to kick a ball or stack blocks. This will not only be a bonding experience but also help older children feel proud and confident.
45. Plan a sibling scavenger hunt: Create a scavenger hunt with items related to the new baby, such as a pacifier or a baby toy. This will be a fun and interactive way for older children to learn about their new sibling’s needs.
46. Have a sibling picnic: Plan a picnic with your older child and the new baby. This will provide a peaceful and bonding experience for all while enjoying some delicious food.
47. Have a sibling tea party: Set up a tea party with your older child and the new baby. This will not only be a fun activity but also help them practice their manners and social skills.
48. Create a sibling fort city: Use cardboard boxes, blankets, and pillows to create a fort city with your older child and the new baby