How to Prepare Your Young Child for a Newborn Sibling or Infant Cousin

When Your Young Child is Going to Be Around Babies

When you have a 4 to 6 year old and are having another baby there are some things that you will want to discuss with your young child about the newborn baby. Also, you may want to talk to your young child about newborn babies if you have a friend or family member that is having a baby. Since your child is old enough to understand what they can and can not do it is a good idea to discuss everything before they meet the baby as well as when they are around the baby. These kind of things can apply to when your young child is around an infant as well.

The Child Holding the Baby

One thing that everyone wants to be able to do is hold the newborn baby, and young infants for that matter, and this is something that you young child will want to do as well. If you decide that letting your young child hold the baby is okay here are some things that you will want to mention them.

Can't Get Up - Let your child know that when they hold the baby they have to remain sitting down.
Can't Touch the Top of Their Head - Let your child know that babies have soft spots and that they have to make sure not to touch the top of the baby's head.
Can't Bounce Them - A lot of the time children will attempt to do what they see their parent do. Of course you won't be bounces a brand new baby but often people will bounce an infant on their knee. You will want to make sure that your child knows that this is something that only an adult can do.
Can't Cover Their Face - If the baby starts to cry your child's natural instinct may be to place their hand over the baby's mouth. Ahead of time before your child is holding the baby explain to them that if the baby starts to cry the best thing to do is to let an adult take the baby.
Can't Hug In a Squeezing Fashion - Explain to your child that babies are fragile and that you have to be super careful when you, if you, hug them.

The Child Touching the Baby

Even when your young child is near the baby they may want to feel them. You will want to mention that your young child can't do certain things when they are feeling the baby.