I am very worried about my two-year-old son because my baby is due in eight weeks time. I am beginning to feel guilty about the baby now because friends have told me that my son will have a difficult time coping when the new baby arrives home. We have talked about the baby to him and he seems excited so how can I prepare him for the new baby and what should we do once the baby arrives?


A Your son has enjoyed having his Mum and Dad’s undivided attention for the past two years and he will accept the new baby well if he is well prepared. You have started that process by asking this question and there are lots of positive ways to prepare him for the event and introduce him to his new brother or sister.
You are talking to him now about the new baby and that is the first step and you could also discuss possible names for the baby with him and mention things like having to change nappies, spend some time feeding because he/she will not be able to do that for some time and how good it is that you will have him to help you. Some parents have a little present for their toddler from the baby. Get your friends who come to see the baby to notice him as well because at his age he still feels the most important person around. It will not be easy to give the same attention to him because there is so much to do for the first few months after the birth so try to involve him by getting him to help you and then praising him. Reading a story to him while you are feeding the baby is another way of including him. Allow him to kiss and touch the baby and praise for touching gently and try not to overreact if sometimes it is not as gentle as you would like. After the arrival of a new baby sometimes children regress a little by bed wetting, not wanting to sit on the potty or wanting a bottle. If this happens it is nothing to worry about and it will disappear after awhile if it is not given much attention.

health visitor