Preparing children for the arrival of a new baby

McKinzie Roth from Indy Hot Moms shares what the  indyhotmoms.com community says on how to  successfully prepare children for the arrival of a new baby!

• Celebrate! Tell your child how lucky the baby will be to have such a wonderful big brother or sister.
• Read Books about bringing home baby and emphasize how cool it is to be the Big Bro or Big Sis.
• Practice holding & changing a baby doll.
• Meet a real baby. Seeing an actual newborn can go a long way toward clarifying the reality of what a newborn is like.
• Explain that babies, need lots of care and attention. Let them come to early OB appts.
• Show your child pictures of them as a baby.
• Make T-shirts for them reading “BIG Brother" or "BIG Sister"
• Go to Class. Many hospitals offer “Sibling classes”
• Refer to the baby as THEIR baby.
• Let them have a say. Give Big Sibs input on naming the baby & decorating the nursery.
• Do room shifts well in advance of new baby’s arrival.
• Talk to the baby in mommy’s tummy.
• Expect children to regress a little after baby arrives.
• Schedule special one-on-one time.
• Reinforce your love for #1 with treats, notes and hugs.
• Say “I love you” as often as possible.