Smooth Transitions: preparing older children for a new sibling
Introducing a new arrival to older children in the family can be an anxious time for everyone. It can be exciting for a child to welcome their new brother or sister into the family. It’s also normal for children to feel jealous of a new brother or sister. You may see your older child revert back in terms of their behaviour such as wanting you to feed them, wear nappies etc. and this is all normal as everyone adjusts to their new role within the family.
As much as possible try to keep your older child to their routine, especially as a new baby will have no set routine yet. Try whenever possible to spend a couple of minutes one to one time with the older child and encourage family members/ vistors to acknowledge the older child upon their arrival.
The HSE offers further advice and practical tips on the link below:
