Getting other children involved without feeling left out

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One thing I hope this Support List doesn’t leave out is how to get our other kids involved and not feel left out.

When I had my baby my other little one was a year and 3 months. So it was very important for me to make sure she didn’t feel left out. Since she was so tiny I made sure when baby didnt need me because she was sleeping or her dad was changing her diaper I gave my other little one my full attention. We did her favorite things like cuddle and read books. She couldn’t help in much since she was tiny herself so I just asked her to pass me things like diapers or rash cream and lotions. We would all sleep together so if baby was a bit uncovered I’d ask her to cover her.

It’s important to get older kids ready to no longer be the babies. One of my teens was the baby for 12 years and still felt bad that her spot was “taken”. Regardless of age kids do feel it. Some ways to help ease their jealousy and let them love the little one too.

TIPS: is to make sure before hand to start preparing them for the new baby by talking to them, reading them a book explaining a new addition. Once here, let them be involved by letting them pass you things, and hold the bottle for baby with help from parent. Make sure you praise them for their help and we’ll doings, and when baby is calm ask older child if they’d like to hold baby. Something to help ease the other child from feeling bad is never conpare them, make sure to have a one on one time with them everyday, remember especially if super tiny to understand their feelings by listening and validating them. Tell them you love both of them the same. One last important thing is to never tell them they’re too big to be acting that way or saying things a certain way remember they have mixed feeling and they themselves are trying to figure things out while also be involved. Even withy teen she still acted very childish when my 3rd came in the picture and it’s fine she soon got over feeling sad and replaced, and embraced being a big sister. She now proudly says shes now the 2nd oldest of 4​:smiling_face_with_three_hearts:. My 2 year old is still In love with her sister but does have moments of jealousy and it’s fine :blush:

tipsworthadding

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8 Likes
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I love this so so much!! My babies have always been super close together so none of them have really gotten a huge chance to be the babies but we still try to give them their one on one so they know they’re loved just as much as the baby! My husband and I like to take turns caring for the baby and taking alone time to be with our older girls! On a side note I’m currently pregnant and my baby will also be a year and 3 months when I have my new little one!

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What an incredible post thank you so much for adding this :innocent: whenever it comes to baby number two I’m for sure going to prepare her using some of the examples you listed. :hugs:

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We did this with our older babies and it makes a huge difference.

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I love this! Yes. My 5 year old loves helping his little brother out so much. My youngest is going through the jealousy stage. He needs to be in on our cuddling time too. :joy:

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That part!!! And this is soooo good to know for the future thank you for sharing this

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Girl yesss. My 2 year old literally wants to do everything with her little sister and it’s so hard to incorporate her but I just let her be. I try to remind myself that she just wants to help

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So sweet :heart::heart: they are great little helpers! My kids will get diapers wipes socks shoes. It’s so nice! Even those tiny little things are helpful. I think it teaches them it’s a team effort too! I love your post. I actually just made one about this myself and now I see yours!:heart:. Congrats on all your babies