Videos to Prepare Siblings for New Baby?

Updated on November 18, 2011
J.L. asks from Antelope, CA
5 answers

A friend of mine is looking for some videos to show her 11 year old son, to prepare him for their new baby. Does anyone know of any family appropriate videos (sans breastfeeding). That may give him an idea of what to expect, etc. that they can all watch together? She is trying to make sure he does not feel left out. Great idea, I think. I just don't know of any such videos out there. Thanks!

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So What Happened?

Wow....what responses. My friend's son feels threatened and scared that he isn't going to be loved as much, and he doesn't know what to expect with a new baby around. No.....he is not going to be in the delivery room - where did I even allude to that?. No, he doesn't know what to expect is going to happen in his home with a new baby around, or what he can do to help despite all your snotty statements that he should. I do not think I will be passing along any of your input to my friend.

More Answers

T.S.

answers from San Francisco on

Those kinds of things are usually aimed at very young children who don't really understand or "get" what a baby is and what it means to the family. I'm pretty sure that by age 11 your friend simply should be able to talk to her son about what it all means and how things may change and/or be the same.
ETA: wow, snotty? really? he is 11 years old and he is feeling threatened by a baby? I'm sorry but unless he has some kind of mental/emotional problem his mom should actually be able to TALK to him about this without the aid of a video, poor kid :(

3 moms found this helpful
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P.K.

answers from New York on

By 11 years old, he really does not need a video. He knows exactly what
to expect. Really do not think he needs a video. I am sure some of his
friends have infant siblings.

2 moms found this helpful

M.L.

answers from Houston on

Really? Why is he going to be in the delivery room or something? This is something I would expect for a toddler/kindergartner sibling, not an 11 year old. In any case, I'm sure they can have just as pleasant a talk about the new baby and family responsibilities and what life with baby will be like without a video. They can go back and show him pictures and videos of his infancy and talk about life with him as a baby. Some of the TLC A Baby Story shows are informative, but usually show the birth/breastfeeding and such.

1 mom found this helpful

T.F.

answers from Dallas on

What??? He's 11, rest assured he knows a lot more than she thinks he does.

Those lines of communication should have been in place years.

Does she want him in the delivery room or something? Ugh. But I guess that would impact importance of birth control for him if he watches mom give birth. Yikes.

1 mom found this helpful

G.K.

answers from San Francisco on

Regardless of age, a new sibling can be very difficult for the child! How awful that some people think that he should be fine with this just because he's 11! Of course, he's going to have some insecurities. Not to mention, there's going to be this new person in the house who is going to disrupt routine, sleeping, and his parents for a while.

I don't know of any videos, but maybe they can check with their local library or maybe google the subject and find free online videos.

I also think that unless mom is planning on NOT breastfeeding, then their son should see a video about that as well (I highly recommend Dr. Jack Newman's DVD!!!). Even if mom is going to breastfeed, that doesn't mean he can't be included! We included our son, who was 27 months when I got pregnant, in EVERYTHING: ultrasounds, midwife appointments, online videos, DVDs and a sibling childbirth class. We were very frank with him about what changes my body would go through, where babies come from (maybe a more difficult subject for an 11yo), what sounds I would make during labor, and what to expect in the early days with a baby sister. Both my kids were born at home, hence the labor preparation.

I strongly believe that including him and allowing him to take "ownership" of his sister REALLY helped in the transition. He looked forward to looking at pictures of what baby sister might look like that day, was wonderful from the very beginning, and we've had VERY few issues (they're now 5 and 2). They have a great relationship and have since the minute she was born :) [He wasn't in the room when she was born (she came too fast), but Daddy brought him in about 2 minutes later.]

I think the best thing she can do is include him in EVERYTHING, including breastfeeding if that's her feeding choice :)

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