A growing family is one of the most beautiful, exciting, and also terrifying times that you can go through. Let’s be honest. It’s nerve wracking. You’re about to double the size of your family and that can be stressful. On top of that, your current little one only knows this life. The life where they are the center of your world, where they have all of your attention. So, you’re probably at the point where you’re wondering “how do I prepare my toddler for a new baby?”.

That’s a fair question! As a newborn photographer in Columbia, SC, I get to have the best conversations with parents about their families and I’ve picked up some incredible tips during our newborn photography sessions! Let’s get into it!

Top 3 Tips for Prepping Your Toddler for a New Baby

Play Pretend with Your Toddler

One of the most effective ways to prepare your toddler for a new baby is to play pretend with them. You can buy a baby doll and play games with them to teach them how to handle a newborn. You can use this play time to introduce them to the things that will change such as times where you’ll be feeding them, giving them baths, putting them to bed, even diaper changing. This time is not just to teach them how to handle a newborn, but also prep them for the life changes that are going to happen, the new things they’re going to see.

Pretend will come in handy as it’ll get these notions in their mind. When the baby comes, they’ll likely generalize what they’ve learned and seen to their natural environment. This will make the transition so much smoother.

Make All the Big Changes Ahead of Time…

And maybe even include them in the changing process! Your toddler may have a difficult time with the preparations that are going to happen around the house. For example, building a nursery may be very strange for your toddler. Consider including them in the process instead of shutting them out. Let them “help” put together the crib or even paint the walls. Have them draw pictures for the baby that you can hang on the wall. Explain to them what each new item is for and why it’ll be helpful for the baby. Making these big changes early will give them plenty of time to adjust to their new world and prepare your toddler for a new baby!

Pro Tip: When decorating the nursery, make sure you either decorate in gender neutral terms or determine if you’re having a boy or girl so your toddler can help you pick out the best styling!

Enhance Your Toddlers Independence

One of the best things you can do to prepare your toddler for a new baby is to increase their level of independence. This will also make your life significantly easier upon the baby’s arrival! Your toddler is capable of far more than you probably think they are. Most parents underestimate their young ones out of fear that they’ll get hurt. However, allowing them to gain their independence will help you and them.

Pending your toddlers specific age and developmental stage, consider at least prepping them in the following ways:

·       Teach them to use a spoon and fork by themselves. You can even teach them to use a child-proof knife if you’re up for it

·       Let them learn how to drink water from a big kid cup all by themselves and even get their own drink from the fridge.

·       Get them in a routine where they have a sense of self such as a bedtime routine where they can pick out their own PJ’s and brush their teeth.

·       Teach them to clean up after themselves, their toys, their clothes, etc.

Final Thoughts on How to Prepare Your Toddler for a New Baby

There’s no greater feeling than expanding your family and welcoming a new baby into the world. Your toddler will adjust, don’t stress too much about that. You just may have to help them along the way a little bit, and that’s okay!

I am so excited for your new little one to join your family! Make sure you schedule your newborn photography session in Columbia, SC with me asap so I can capture your new ones first few days in your family!