Newborn Preparation: 6 Ways We're Preparing Our Firstborn to Be a Big Brother

As we eagerly anticipate the arrival of our newborn, we're also focused on how this big change will affect our two-year-old son, Jere, who's known for being quite territorial. How will he adjust to his new role as a big brother?

With a new baby changing our family dynamics, how can we ensure Jere doesn't feel left out and help him adjust? Here are six ways to make this transition smooth and comfortable for older siblings like him.

Talking to Our Eldest Child About the New Baby

Jere initially hesitated about having a sibling, but he’s gradually warmed up.

During the pregnancy, he showed interest by helping and expressing affection for the baby.

Jere's slow acceptance is natural for him, as he is just like Gabes–– he loves his established routine and doesn’t like changes too much.

So, we have been making an effort to talk to him every step of the way.

We believe our efforts have been essential in helping Jere come to terms with the idea of having a sibling.

Our conversations with him will continue as we prepare him for his new role as a big brother.

Continue reading here to learn more about Jere's journey toward acceptance.

Involving Him in the Preparations

As we prepare for the arrival of our newborn baby, we want Jere to feel included.

We do this by having Jere help us sort through his old baby clothes as we decide which ones to keep.

We also take Jere on our shopping trips, having him help us pick up baby essentials, such as the baby's nappy. During these trips, it's clear to him that we're shopping for the baby's arrival.

These activities help Jere understand what's happening and prepare for his new sibling.

We know Jere might need time to adjust, but we believe involving him now will make a difference.

Continue reading here to learn more about how we're involving Jere in preparing for the coming of our second kid.

Making the First Meeting Special With Gifts

We're having our kids exchange gifts when they meet each other for the first time!

It's about creating a special moment for Jere when he's introduced to his new sibling.

In addition to easing Jere’s transition and making him feel special and included, we believe this gesture fosters responsibility and empathy in him and lays the foundation for a strong bond between our children.

Continue reading here to learn more about the benefits of having older children exchange gifts with a newborn sibling.

Ensuring Jere Feels Welcomed First

To ensure our two-year-old son feels included when our new baby arrives, we'll greet him first when he enters the room.

We want Jere to feel secure and loved, not replaced by the new arrival. After he's welcomed, we'll introduce and welcome the baby together as a family in the same room.

Continue reading here to learn more about how this simple step can benefit older siblings like Jere.

Keeping Jere's Routine Consistent

We’re sticking to Jere’s regular routines to keep him comfortable after the baby arrives, which is particularly crucial during the first few weeks or months.

This means continuing Jere's activities, such as football, swimming, and nursery.

Consistency in the form of routines gives young children like Jere a sense of normalcy and stability and helps them manage change better.

Continue reading here to learn more about what routines mean for toddlers like Jere, especially when welcoming a newborn baby into the family.

Maintaining the Precious Mother-Son Relationship

We want to ensure Jere continues to feel close to his mum, especially during the first few weeks or months after the baby arrives.

We’ve set aside specific “Mum and Jere” time weekly to maintain their bond. Anna will take him out for activities they enjoy, such as going to the park or watching a movie.

Although it requires a lot of careful planning, such as pumping breast milk ahead of time, we believe this intentional time Anna will carve out will give Jere the reassurance he needs.

Continue reading here to learn more about our approach.

The Bottomline

Welcoming a new baby is a significant transition for any family, especially for an older child like Jere.

We aim to make this change as smooth as possible by involving Jere in preparations, maintaining his routines, and constantly ensuring he feels loved and included.

We hope the steps we're taking will help cultivate a positive relationship between Jere and his new sibling and ensure a harmonious family dynamic.

What else should we do to prepare Jere for our new child’s arrival? We value your thoughts and opinions, so don't hesitate to leave a comment below!

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