Making Sure Our Son Feels Included With the Arrival of a New Baby
The last thing we want Jere, our two-year-old firstborn, to feel is left out once our new baby is born.
So, when Jere walks into the room to meet his sibling for the first time, we'll ensure Anna isn't holding the baby.
How can this gesture help Jere accept his new sibling?
Why Anna Won’t Be Holding Our Newborn Child During the First Encounter With Our Eldest Child
Reduces Jealousy and Competition
By not having the baby in Anna’s arms, she can give her full attention to Jere and embrace him with open arms, reassuring him he’s valued and loved just as much as before the baby came.
For us, most especially Anna, who’s Jere’s favourite, greeting him first without holding our newborn baby helps ensure he doesn’t feel immediately replaced or less important.
It can also help prevent Jere from harbouring feelings of jealousy and competing for our attention.
Facilitates Smooth Transition
When our newborn child isn’t in Anna’s arms when Jere walks into the room, it can make their first meeting less overwhelming and more comfortable for our eldest.
It can also be encouraging for Jere to interact positively with his new sibling, such as by touching or talking to them gently.
Promotes a Sense of Inclusion
After Jere's been welcomed, we'll have someone else, perhaps Anna’s mum, bring the baby to us. This way, we can greet the baby together as a family.
This small gesture reinforces in Jere that he was here first, so no one is taking his place. By having him next to us when we welcome the baby, we’re emphasising his special role as an older sibling.
Encourages Gentle Behaviour
Without the baby in our arms during Jere’s first encounter with his new sibling, we can better model and guide him on how to interact with them, such as by showing them how to touch the baby's hands or feet gently.
We can closely supervise their interaction, ensuring it’s safe and positive for both our children.
The Bottomline
As we reinforce Jere's sense of security and belonging, we hope he won't feel like our new baby is taking over his space or overshadowing him, especially since he's used to being so close to his mum.
How did you ensure your older children that the arrival of a newborn sibling doesn’t have to make them feel left out? We’d love to hear from you, so please share your thoughts or stories in the comment section!
Read here to find out what else we are doing to prepare our firstborn to be a big brother to our new baby.
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