Many children feel abandoned during this time--be sure to
keep in touch as much as you can. The father can really
help here!
While you are at the hospital, let your older child open
some small gifts purchased for him.
Give the older child a nametag that says "I'm John
(child's name), Laura's (baby's name) Big Brother." This
helps the child feel important and identifies him for the
nurses.
- Give your older child his very own snapshot of the new
baby as soon as possible, so he can show the picture to
his friends.
As soon as you can, take a picture of the older child
holding the baby and make sure it is given a prominent
place in the family photo album.
Tape a photo of the older child (or a picture drawn by
the child) to the baby's crib in the nursery. This makes
the child feel important and helps him identify "his"
baby through the nursery window.
In the immediate postpartum period (either at the
hospital or during the first couple days at home)
preschoolers sometimes are a little less "chummy" with
mom than usual. Don't interpret this as rejection but as
a sign that the child wants to be reminded that his
special place has not been filled by the new baby.
