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What happens to a toddler when a second born arrives?

Many toddlers become jealous of the new baby and may act out negatively. It is important for parents to be patient.

By Julie Jerlin JPublished about a year ago 4 min read

When a second-born arrives, a toddler’s world changes drastically. They are no longer the center of attention and must share their parents’ time and love. It can be difficult for a toddler to understand and accept. As a result, many toddlers become jealous of the new baby and may act out negatively. It is important for parents to be patient and understanding with their toddlers during this time and to help them adjust to the new family dynamic.

Toddlers and second-born : a balancing act

Parenting a toddler and a newborn simultaneously can be a challenging balancing act. On the one hand, you want to give your full attention to the new baby and ensure they get everything they need. On the other hand, you don’t want your toddler to feel left out or neglected.

Creating a balance that works for you and your family is essential. It means bonding with your toddler, such as reading stories together or going for walks. With patience and understanding, you can successfully parent both a toddler and a newborn.

How to prepare your toddler for your second born

If you find yourself parenting a toddler and a newborn simultaneously, there are some things you can do to make it work. First, creating some special bonding time with your toddler is important.

It means reading stories together or going for walks. Additionally, try to understand if your toddler acts out – they may feel overwhelmed and need extra attention.

As a parent, having a second child is a big adjustment for the whole family. You may feel a mix of emotions as you prepare to welcome your new baby, and your toddler is likely to feel them too.

There are a few things you can do to help your toddler adjust to the arrival of their sibling and make the transition as smooth as possible

Talk about the new baby

Help your toddler understand what’s happening by talking about the new baby often. Explain that there will be a new person in the family soon and that they will be a big brother or sister. Show them pictures of babies and talk about everything they can do, like sleeping, eating, and crying. Talk to your toddler about the arrival of their sibling and what it will mean for them.

Prepare them for changes

Let your toddler know what changes to expect when the new baby arrives. For example, you might tell them they will need to share your attention and that there may be more rules to follow. If breastfeeding, explain that you’ll need to feed the baby and show them how you’ll do it.

Help your toddler understand that they will still be important to you and that you will still have time for them after the baby is born. Explain that their sibling will be a playmate for them, and they will have someone to share their toys with.

Allow your toddler to express their feelings about their sibling’s arrival, whether positive or negative. It is common for toddlers to have a mix of both as they deal with many changes.

Please Include them in preparations

Where possible, involve your toddler in preparing for their sibling’s arrival. Let them help with things like picking out clothes or decorating the nursery. It will help them feel involved and excited about the new addition to the family.

Include your toddler in some preparations for the new baby, such as picking out clothes or a toy to give to the baby.

Read stories about siblings

Reading stories about other children who have siblings can be helpful for your toddler. Toddlers can be both excited and apprehensive about the arrival of their new sibling. Give your toddler some time alone with the new baby when possible. Through this quality time, your toddler will develop a special bond with their new sibling and learn how to care for them.

Spending time with their new sibling will also help your toddler learn how to share and take turns.

Specialities about second-born

Second-born children have lovely friendships. Second-born children are extremely tenacious. Children born second or later can benefit from more composed and assured parents. They have goodSpecialties negotiation skills. They learn to rebel. Second born is resilient. Second born are frequently more easygoing, less driven, and more creative than first children, which may be because they grow up with more carefree, less demanding parents.

Given that they had to learn to share parental attention from infancy, they may be more gregarious. Some people aim to be successful in a field where they won’t have to compete with their older siblings, who will always be ahead of them in their early years. When they are young, some second born children are rebellious and less “easy,” and these characteristics may persist into adulthood.

Final words

There are a few things you can do to help your toddler adjust to the arrival of their sibling. First, try to spend some quality time with your toddler each day, even if it’s just a few minutes.

Second, be patient with your toddler and understand that they may act out more than usual. It is normal, and they are just trying to figure out this new situation. Finally, try to involve your toddler as much as possible in caring for their new sibling. It will help them feel useful and important.

Your child will begin to feel safe again and understand that by making room for a new family member, they are not losing their place or receiving any less love from you if you respond with patience and understanding. In their capacity as big brothers or sisters, this will help them embrace the second born and realize that they are also a part of their lives.

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    JJJWritten by Julie Jerlin J

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