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Help your children build a strong sibling bond from day one. Make your child a part of the experience. Let them help you decorate baby's room. Take them baby shopping and let them pick things out. You could even take them to the doctor and let them see the baby. Once they see a picture of the baby in your belly, it may excite them more. Pick out a name for the baby as soon as you can. This will give the other child a chance to get used to the idea a little more.

Do not make a difference between the children. Do not let one child feel left out. This encourages jealousy and sibling rivalry. If you do for one, then you should do for the other. Even though your older child doesn't need the baby's stuff, they may take it just because they wanted something also.

Keep things as close to the same as they were before the baby. Most children fear change. They may worry that the baby will make things change and resent it. Do your best not to let this happen. If things have to be different, do the best you can to help your child through the transition process and get used to the new things. Teach them that change is not always a bad thing.

Try not to put too much emphasis on the baby. If the new baby or the pregnancy is getting your constant attention then the older child may start regressing. They may begin to act more like a baby. They crave your attention, also. Try to make time for both kids. One on one time means a lot.

Age is a big factor in just how much the child can help you do. Encourage your child to have something to do with the baby. Let them hold the baby. You can also let them help your prepare bottles for the baby or even feed the baby. Be careful not to push baby duty on them. You do not want them to resent the child. Let them do only what they want to do.

Compliment your kids when they do well. Tell them how proud you are of them and how you couldn't have done it without them. A positive comment can go a long way. Hug them; tell them that you love them. Continue to nurture them as much as you did before the baby came. This means more than you can imagine to a child.

Learn more about this author, Laura Leigh Fields.
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