Bringing home a new baby is a joy for the parents. For siblings this new arrival may not be cause for tears of joy but tears of frustration. During this time siblings can feel replaced, left out, and alone. Despite the parents best efforts to make their older child feel loved the child may be jealous of all the time spent with the new baby. Many times feelings of jealously come later on after the novelty of the new baby wears off for the sibling. A delayed feeling of jealously is not uncommon as the baby grows to even a year or two old. The age of the sibling will play a part in the feelings of jealously. A younger child may not realize how much caring a baby requires. An older child may have already had some issues with mom and dad and the arrival of a new little love may exasperate it.
How can you combat sibling jealousy?
Stay consistent: Examine your day to day routine and see where time that was normally spent with your older child is now being spent with the baby. If you can return this time to your older child do so if not then spend the time with your older child with the addition of the baby. Stay consistent with assuring your child that she has not been replaced and continue doing some comforting predictable things like reading a bedtime story or calling your older child a special pet name. Soon, your child will adjust to the new baby and see your love has grown bigger.
Get your child involved: Allow your child to give you a hand during the daily routine of caring for the baby. A child can bring you a diaper, wipes, or help feed the baby. Allowing your child more involvement will give her a chance to adjust to this new little bundle and grow an attachment. Additionally, your child will see how much work and time goes into having a baby.
Make a date with your older child: Make time for some one on one time with your child. Your child will feel special and know that her place in your heart is secure.
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