Helping Siblings Get Ready

Birith not only creates parents, it can also create big brothers and big sisters. As you are preparing for the arrival of baby, you can help your children to prepare to be a big brother or sister too. 

Even the youngest future big brother or sister can do things to be ready to welcome baby. Here are a few suggestions: 

• ​Putting diapers into a basket, or a drawer at the changing table
• Picking out an outfit for baby to wear in the first few days after birth, or choosing a new outfit for baby at the store.
• Picking out the first book to be read to baby after baby arrives.
• Drawing pictures for baby
• Picking out a toy or toys to give baby.
• Helping set up the nursery
• Making a "baby is here" freezer meal

Other suggestions for things you can do to help a future big brother or sister include:

• Have a big brother/ big sister gift to give after baby is here. My son was delighted with his Worlds Best Big Brother balloon bouquet and Tonka dump truck
• Read some books together that talk about becoming a big brother or sister. I have a few recomendations:
  • Little Critter; The New Baby by Mercer Mayer
  • The Berenstain Bears and Baby Makes Five
  • My New Baby by Rachel Fuller
  • The New Baby by Mr. Rogers
  • The Berenstain Bears New Baby by Stan and Jan Berenstain
  • Babies Don't Eat Pizza by Diana Danzig
  • Socks by Beverly Cleary (this one is my personal favorite)
• Talk about how wonderful it will be to have a new baby brother or sister and what things siblings can do to connect with baby like reading them stories, singing to them, etc.

​Helping siblings get ready for baby can go a long way towards a smooth transition once baby is here.