October/November 2012 Timaru Tots - Parents Centres New ...
October/November 2012 Timaru Tots - Parents Centres New ...
October/November 2012 Timaru Tots - Parents Centres New ...
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TIMARU TOTS PAGE 48<br />
babies: toddler adjusting to the new baby!<br />
From <strong>New</strong>sletter Contributor: Beth Park<br />
something, you can pull your wagon."<br />
Show your toddler how to touch their<br />
brother or sister gently.<br />
How is my child likely to react to a new<br />
baby in the house?<br />
Even if they have been excited about having<br />
a new sibling before the birth, your<br />
toddler may change his mind once the<br />
baby comes home. How your child behaves<br />
will depend partially on their temperament.<br />
Children who are more flexible<br />
and self-contained may adjust more easily.<br />
Those who are highly sensitive, need more<br />
time with transitions, and like routines<br />
may take longer to adjust.<br />
Your firstborn may react to the addition of<br />
a new family member by testing you or<br />
regressing (sitting in the baby's seat,<br />
wanting a nappy, or asking to drink from a<br />
bottle). They’re likely to want your attention<br />
most when you're nursing or changing<br />
a nappy.<br />
They may even try to express their feelings<br />
by yanking the baby's arm or snatching<br />
the baby’s toys. You can respond by<br />
saying something like, "I want you to be<br />
gentle with the baby. It can hurt him/her<br />
to pull on their arm. If you need to pull on<br />
Most likely your child will also be eager to<br />
show their new sibling affection and connect<br />
with them. Read on for tips on how<br />
to help your toddler accept and even enjoy<br />
the new baby in your lives.<br />
What can I do to help my child accept a<br />
new sibling?<br />
Give them special jobs. Let your firstborn<br />
help out — they may surprise you with<br />
how much they can do. When you bathe<br />
the baby,<br />
they can<br />
help soap<br />
the baby’s<br />
legs. Your<br />
toddler will<br />
probably<br />
be happy<br />
to fetch<br />
nappies or<br />
a new set of clothes. When the baby cries,<br />
ask them to gently pat his/her back or talk<br />
softly to him/her. If they want to hold<br />
their new sibling, set them up next to you<br />
and share the baby across your laps. Or<br />
have them sit in a chair with pillows on<br />
either side, then prop the baby in their<br />
lap. Stay nearby and be alert. They may be<br />
done after a few seconds and try to dump<br />
the baby off their lap. (They aren’t trying<br />
to hurt the baby. They may just think of<br />
the baby as a toy.)<br />
Ask their advice. Ask your toddler: "Do
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