Introducing a sibling to your new baby

There are no rules about when you tell an older child that a new baby is on the way, but opinion suggests it is wise to do so when you tell others so they hear it from you directly. A small child will find it difficult to visualise what this will mean for them so using books or pictures can help, or by reference to other friends who may have had a new brother or sister recently. Provide whatever information is needed within the child’s level of understanding.

As the pregnancy grows, spending time to “talk” to the baby together enables the older child to make a connection and feel the baby kick (“talk back”). Bringing home a newborn is a little different the second time around. With your first child, you're focused on figuring out how to care for a baby. With the second baby, you're likely to wonder how your older child will react to having a new sibling.

The links below offer useful advice on how to handle this transition.