Transcripts
Is your toddler suffering
from new sibling syndrome? If so take heart it can be completely
normal. Bringing a new baby in the home often turns a toddler’s
world upside down. He’ll often revert back to his own baby ways, be
mean to his sibling and especially be mean to you. Your toddler is
probably in the physical development stage of mastering the world
around him but still in the emotional stage of believing that the
world revolves solely around him.
Add to that a few new
ingredients – a new baby to discover and all that comes with it and
having the focus of mommy’s world change or at least be divided.
This throws his system into overdrive most likely resulting into
fits of rage, tears and literal baby attacks. Your toddler may be
thinking is this thing here to stay? He just doesn’t understand
that the answer is yes.
He is wondering if it
cries or if he can make it cry. He is a pint size scientist of
actions, discovering what does and doesn’t work. He is also
wondering how he can get mommy’s attention back. If he regresses to
acting like a baby it’s because he is mimicking the new thing that
has stolen your attention. So how can you help your toddler adapt
to his new environment while communicating that he is still a major
part of it?
First, let him help with
the baby. Getting bottles and fetching diapers will make him feel
important and integrated into his new world. Second spend a few
minutes alone with your older child each day. Let him know that he
is still in your world. Commit to reading him a story without baby
each night, have a meal with him alone while the baby is napping,
share some cuddle time and a few minutes here and there will add
up.
You can also explain that
the baby has feelings and if he uses aggressive behavior explains
that it hurts the baby. He is more likely to comprehend hurting
than extensive lectures on appropriate behavior towards newborns.
Lastly, encourage your toddler to be the big brother or sister.
Give them the role of teaching, when he goes to drink out of the
bottle remind him that he is the big boy and that he drinks out of
the cup and that baby is watching and needs to see what big brothers
and sisters do.
Give it some time; it’s a
big adjustment for a little body, heart and mind. Extra loving care
will go a long way in making his heart grow fond of his extended
family. I’m Michelle LaRowe author of Nanny to the Rescue for Baby
Talk Radio. Please visit my website at
http://www.michellelarowe.com for your parenting tip of the
day.
