I'm looking for advice on tried-and-true ways to help my 2-year-old son adjust to his new baby sister. She was just born on Sunday, so this is very new to him - and his Dad and I! So far our son has cried when his sister cries (as if the cry scares him) and has said that he's going to "hit the baby" - (but hasn't yet). I know it will take time, patience, and a lot of attention given to our son - but, are there any books, articles, web sites out there that might be helpful for this situation?
The best advice I can give you is to be sure to make special time where its just you and your son or just your husband and your son. When my son was born My daughter had just turned 3 and whenever my son needed something that is when she would suddenly need me. rest assured your son will get over this in time.
I think the 2 yr old needs some extra attention and understanding. I have three kids, and they all accepted each other very well, thankfully. I always included them in helping with the baby, if they had intrest in it. They can pick out thier clothes, along with baby outfit. Help feed, or throw away diapers and just keep the positive praises up, "Oh your such a good Big Brother!!!"
I think he might feel the baby is demanding all mom and dad's attention, so as parents tag team, one parent is with baby and one parent is spending extra special time with the Big Brother.
Good Luck-
M.
I have a two yr old and we're expecting our next baby in March/April of '07. I am a childcare provider, so that right there helps, I have always been with other children and surrounded by children who need me, so I think that will help a bit, but I know he'll still have some feelings of 'resentment' or jealousy towards the baby when he reaslize he won't be going home at the end of the night. Lol. Things we're doing or planning on doing to help our son adjust to the change:
Children's books and video's geared towards accepting a new baby into the family. Arthur has a great video, my son loves it. There is a great book called 'God Gave Us You.' we bought this for our son last Christmas, it now has a sequel called 'God Gave Us Two.' Made specifically to help children learn about their new babies.
We refer to the baby in my tummy as 'Dylan's' baby, just so he understands that he'll be the big brother and get to help out.
Allowing a child to help out, not making him/her feel as though they have to walk on egg shells around the new baby is a definite must. This can cause resentment.
Having special time set aside just for the child that does not include the new baby, maybe having grandparents care for the baby and taking your son out to dinner at his favorite resteraunt with Mommy and Daddy, etc.
Last but definitely NOT least, patience and lots of it. With your child's need to adjust and transition into the new life style.
I wish you and your family the best! And congrats on your little addition!!!! Let us know how things turn out.
My son is 2 and I had a baby girl 4 weeks ago.I feared the transition, but it has been great! I ask my son to help as much as possible he gets the diaper out, puts the bottle in the fridge or sink, gets burp clothes, ect. He loves his sister and informs me if she's crying and wants to hold her all the time. I think if you just let him be apart of the baby as much as possible it will help! Good luck!
I would have him help you as much as possible. Get diapers help pull the wipes out, take things to the trash, not sure if you breast feed or not but let him feed her the bottle if possible, anything that involves his new sister. I would maybe buy him a baby ( yes I understand that he is a boy) but it may help him doing some role playing with toy baby. There is a book that I recieved for my daughter when my son was born ( she was just getting ready to turn 2 when he was born) it is written by Joanna Cole it is called I'm a Big Sister and she also has I'm a Big Brother. I tells why babies are too little to do things and why they cry, when the big brother can help and what he can do, ect. It was great for my daughter and we read it to her a lot. I think that it helped her and she still reads it. I would also check your clinic or hospital if they offer any new big brother classes to help him understand how to deal with the new baby. Hope this helps. A.
In addition to giving him special one on one time I found it helped to get my daughter involved when my son was born. They were 22 months apart.
I'd ask her to get the diaper or unfold it. The more little reponsibilities she had "helping" with the baby the better.
Although, this could be one of those boy/girl things. She's always been nuturing and was very interested in the new baby. She still did have her difficulties.
We also had Grandma and Grandpa visit from California to give her some special time alone.
Good luck.
