Families For Life | Building precious family bonds with a newborn
The arrival of a new family member is exciting news! Precious new memories are waiting to be made with your newborn and your loved ones. While it might mean some changes to your lives, it’s a chance to reinforce your bonds with each other and form new relationships with your new little one! Here are some steps you can take to make the most of the newborn’s arrival.
Introducing your newborn to the family
Expanding the family is cause for celebration, but your older child might need time to adapt to this significant change. You can help ease the transition by discussing the baby before they arrive. Introducing the idea of a new sibling in everyday conversations can help your child anticipate the baby’s arrival and feel more prepared for the changes ahead!
Here are some ways to help your older child feel ready for their new sibling:
Let your child know when to expect their new sibling. Younger children are less aware of the concept of time but would appreciate a rough time frame (e.g. around Christmas, near Grandpa’s birthday, during the school holidays etc.)
Refer to the baby as “ours”. This will help your child understand that the baby is part of the family and help keep potential feelings of jealousy and possessiveness at bay.
Tell your child what to expect. You can prepare them for the chaos and the noise that might arise in the household when the baby comes!
Children of different ages will react to the new baby differently. For example, toddlers and preschoolers typically display more challenging behaviour than school-age children and teenagers. Either way, discussing the newborn with your child before the baby arrives is a good way to start their relationship on the right foot.
Getting children involved with their new sibling
After your baby is born, it’s time to let your children spend time together! Let your child be involved in tasks related to the baby. This includes holding the bottle during feeding, letting them wipe your newborn after a bath, or choosing the baby’s clothes for the day. Young children don’t know their strength, so consider laying down ground rules about lifting the baby.
As you take care of the baby, it’s important to continue tending to your older child’s needs. Be generous with praises when they do good and be patient with them as they adjust to the presence of the new family member. During this period, you can expect some moodiness, but patience and time will help your older child develop closer bonds with their sibling!
Bonding with Mum and Dad
For parents, bonding with the baby starts as early as the third trimester. Simple gestures like gently rubbing the pregnant tummy, reading out loud or speaking to the tummy can help parents bond with the baby before their arrival.
After the birth of your newborn, don’t forget to involve dad in the baby’s routines. Changing diapers, feeding, having skin-on-skin contact and speaking to the baby in gentle tones for at least 30 minutes per day can have positive long-term benefits on your bonds with your child. Embrace playing games and spending quality time with your baby!
With these tips, your family is better prepared to welcome its newest member! Enjoy the journey as you bond with your new baby together and cherish every moment with your family.