The arrival of a new sibling can be such an overwhelming time for a little person, I wanted to share some of my top tips with you:-



🚼 - When you are pregnant don't blame not being unable to do things on the baby.

"I can't carry you because of the baby in my tummy" or "I can't play on the floor because of the baby" can lead the older child to resenting their new sibling before they have even arrived! Baby is ruining all the things to love to do with mummy!

Instead just say its too difficult for you "I can't pick you up right now as my back is sore, how about we hold hands instead?" or "I wont' be able to get back up if I sit on the floor, how about we put the train set on the table today"



✨ - When the older child meets their new sibling for the first time make sure that its not mummy who is holding the baby. Whether you are in hospital or at home either pop the baby in their crib or leave them in the car seat for a few moments and greet your older child with free, open arms to give them the giant hugs you have no doubt both been missing with a bump in the way!



🎁 - Get the older child a gift from the new baby, something you think they will really love and be excited about and take them shopping to buy a gift for their new baby when it arrives. Let them pick a special new cuddly toy or the home from hospital outfit.



🤱 - When feeding the new baby just as you would set yourself up with a drink, snack, phone and remote control in easy reach ready for those epic newborn feeding session, ensure you do the same for the older child. So have a drink, snack, game, potty, ipad/tablet, peppa pig on loop ready to go before you sit down.



👼 - Even the most chilled out, calm little people can struggle with the arrival of a new baby in the home. I've heard bringing a new baby home compared to your partner bringing a third person in to your relationship and telling you "its ok, I love you both the same!", its tough going for your older child! Give them time, cuddle them and kiss them and tell them how much you love them ALL THE TIME! Its total normal to have regression of potty training, sleeping, feeding themselves, anything really! They may crave being the baby again. Be patient, it will pass.



📸 - Show the older child photos and videos of them as a baby. The won't remember that time so tell them all about how they spent all day snuggled on your chest and how much fun you had together getting to know one another. Tell them about the time when it was just the 2 of you and how special and magical that was and how much they compare or differ to their sibling. Then tell them all about the future fun they will have with their sibling and let them take photos of their new baby too.



💞 - Its a big change for them and you, but I promise it is worth it! The love you have in your heart now doesn't need to be shared or divided. When the new baby arrives they bring with them a whole heap of new love for the family x





Steph Standing

Co-Founder & Director

The Mummas Village Limited