La arrival of a new baby the family is one stage of changes. But this time it will not be so much change for the parents, but for the child who until now was an only child and now he will become the older brother / sister.
Having to share their parents, less attention, is no longer the focus of attention ... many changes that must be treated effectively so that the King Dethroned Syndrome.
Adapt to the new reality
Adapt to the new reality that is presented it can be complicated for children. Jealousy before a new sibling is normal and natural as long as they are within limits. So as parents we must help them understand the changes that are going to take place in the family in the best way.
Prepare it during pregnancy
To give you the pregnancy news it is better to wait for it to be safe, the ideal is to wait for fourth or fifth month of pregnancy. Young children do not understand something that long term and so we wait for it to be something safe to tell them.
Tell him the news with joy, and explain all the advantages it will have for him the arrival of this new sibling. Call him "our baby" Instead of "my baby," he will feel more integrated into the new family reorganization. You will feel part of the project, and we will receive a positive reaction. Talk to him about the baby and everything you are going to do when he is with you. When you have the name decided to call him by his name.
Do not wait for the baby to be born to make him participate. During the pregnancy you can inform him of the progress and prepare the ground for him to feel that connection with the baby. You can talk to it, sing to the belly and draw pictures. You can also include him in decisions such as the baby's name, the color of his room, his clothes ... let him get involved and he will not feel left out.
If there is a birth nearby, from a family member or friends, take him to see the baby and explain that soon he will have a little brother this small. It will help you get an idea. Young children may think that the baby will be a doll or that a brother his age will be born to play, and thus they will get a more approximate idea.
He can accompany you to a gynecological examination to listen to the heartbeat of his future little brother, or you can teach him the ultrasounds. Explain that love does not divide but multiplies.
It's here
The baby has already arrived. Pediatricians recommend that the first time the older child sees the baby is not in the mother's armsSo you can hug him and sit next to him. Once the presentations are done after You can see it, touch it and kiss it (if you want, if you don't want to not force it) with the presence of your mother / father. Avoid being left alone.
Explain that now they will have to take care of the baby so that he grows up healthy and that when he is older they can play together. That he / she will be the example of his / her new baby brother / sister. It can help you in his care, such as helping him bathe or change his diaper.
The baby will demand a lot of attention, but try to make quality time for your firstborn so you don't feel displaced. Go to the park, read a story or do an activity that you did before. As far as possible, keep the previous routines.
What to do when jealousy appears?
Jealousy as we said above, they are normal and natural. They are the way that children show their discomfort, fear of the unknown, of not being loved, that everything changes ... Do not recriminate an attack of jealousy, it will be counterproductive.
A lot of changes have come into your life and has to adapt to the new situation, with time and love. A lot of new feelings that he had not felt before flood him and he does not know how to handle them.
In the article "Dethroned Prince Syndrome" You will find tips for jealousy that get out of hand to parents.
Because remember ... the best thing will always be to treat the changes with naturalness, love, understanding and patience.