Preparing a toddler for a new baby coming into the family can be both exciting and challenging. While our family is still considering the idea of expanding, Avery is at the perfect age to begin preparing her for the possibility of a younger sibling. Currently she does interact with babies and smaller children at daycare and with friends. So preparing her now on how to interact with babies that are smaller than her is important. Eventually, when we decide if or when we want to add another child to the family, she will be a least little bit prepared.
This post is sponsored by Madame Alexander however all my opinions are my own. You can find my full disclosures HERE.
Tips on preparing a toddler for a new baby
Teach Patience
Yes, I know this may be difficult to do. Teaching patience to a toddler is like herding kittens. Do the best you can though to model patience when you are with your toddler. Try remaining calm and collected when things go wrong because their little eyes are always watching.
Demonstrate Gentle Behavior
The gentler you are with your everyday tasks, you model that behavior to your toddler. I can’t tell you how many times that I have slammed the door not even thinking about it and Avery comes right behind me and slams the door as well.
Show them their baby photos
Showing your child photos from their birth and newborn phase help them understand that once upon a time they were that little too. Explain to them how small they were and that the new baby will be just as small and will need lots of attention during the first few months.
Stick to a Routine
Create a routine with your toddler and stick to it, even when the baby comes into the picture. It is important to provide that structure for your child when everything else around them is being changed.
Even if you need to start small by creating a bedtime routine that you do with your child such as bath time and reading before lights out, if you keep it consistent your child will feel loved and as though their needs are still being met.
Involve them in planning
Have them help you pick out baby items, decorate the baby nursery or add a few things that they pick out for the baby. Another great way to get them involved in welcoming a new baby is having your child pick out a small gift to give to the new baby when they arrive.
Give them their own baby doll
Another great way to prepare your toddler for a new baby is by giving them their very own baby doll. Madame Alexander is the perfect doll for any occasion and is not only the perfect doll to prepare your child for a new baby but also to teach them kindness and inspire imaginative play.
So what exactly is Madame Alexander? Madame Alexander is a doll company that was founded by Madame Beatrice Alexander Behrman in 1923. She believed that dolls should be played with and not as fragile as the porcelain dolls that were standard then. Madame was not only an artist. She was a pioneer as well in a male dominated business emerging from the Great Depression with a new, larger factory space. Since then, the company has grown to be a world-renowned doll maker known for quality and exceptional details.
Madame Alexander dolls also help children with empathy, kindness and imaginative play. The dolls are constructed with realistic features that will encourage kindness and compassion in your little ones. The simple accessories inspire imaginative play as well because they allow your child create their own worlds in their imaginations. Another great thing about Madame Alexander is that they offer dolls that are multicultural. Dolls with varying hair and eye colors making it easy for every child to have a doll of their own.
Avery’s favorite doll is the Splash and Play Mermaid which can easily transition from dry play to water play. Accessories include a bottle and fish which Avery loves to use to “feed” her baby. You can get one of the Splash and Play Mermaid for your child or one of the other many dolls in their line at amazon.com, Target, and Barnes & Noble.
So are you ready to prepare your toddler for a new baby? Or get them their own doll to learn and plat with?
How have you prepared your child for the addition of a sibling?
Such a good ideas to show them their own baby photos, and to talk them through what that time was like!
These are great tips! I’ll have to remember them when we add our second baby.
Such great tips! We are talking about this right now and our 3 year old is a big consideration!
Oh my gosh this is adorable and super helpful! I will have to try these out sometime in the next year or so! š