Brothers and Sisters Need to Feel Needed

When you have a new baby, it’s normal for brothers and sisters to be upset at the way their family has changed, especially if they’re younger than 5 years old. A toilet-trained child may go back to diapers for awhile. Good eaters may lose their appetites. You may notice other changes, too.

Everyone is affected by having a new family member. Encourage the children to talk about both the good and bad parts of having a new baby.

Don’t leave your baby alone with a child younger than 4. Young children can’t always control their actions. They may hurt the baby accidentally.

Spend time with your other children. Try not to let the new baby become the total focus of attention. Read books to the siblings about babies joining families. Involve the children in caring for the baby. Praise them when they do well. Teach them how to hold the baby and how close to sit. Help them recognize how the baby responds to them.

Help everyone learn how to handle your baby gently. It may be tempting to hear your baby giggle after tossing him in the air or bouncing him vigorously on your knee, but don’t. Babies can be injured this way. Rapid movement can damage blood vessels in a child’s brain, resulting in blindness, brain injury, or even death. Effects may not be noticed until later, when learning problems occur. Don’t take a chance! Never allow anyone to spank, shake, hit, throw, toss, or swing babies or young children.

Want to Learn More About Child Care and Development?

Check out this Web site: Zero to Three for Parents on development in the first three years of life.

If you have questions, contact your local Extension office.

When reading this newsletter, remember: Every baby is different. Children may do things earlier or later than described here. This newsletter gives equal space and time to both sexes. If we write he or she, we are talking about all babies.

Credits: This newsletter was adapted from Extension Just In Time Parenting Newsletters in California, Delaware, Georgia, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Tennessee, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, New Hampshire, and Wisconsin.