How do you prepare for the arrival of a second child?

Before the second child arrives: activate preparation mode

Preparing your elder for the arrival of a second

In the same way that you anticipate the arrival of your future wonder, also warn your elder. Explain to him what is going to happen. You love him and you decided to expand your love bubble, aka your family. Read our interview with coach Maëlys Le Levreur who explains it well. We don't apologize for bringing in a new baby because it's our choice of parents. On the other hand, you can include your elder in the preparations such as choosing the stuffed toy!

Make your birth trousseau

Sort through your first child's things. Clothing, furniture, bed, changing table, changing table, bassinet, stroller... Depending on the date of birth, the season and their condition, some things will have a second life. After this sorting, you will know better what you need now.

Arrange for childcare on the day of your delivery

To avoid stress, plan who will take care of your eldest child on the day of delivery. Grandparents, trusted neighbors, friends, babysitters... Let them know that they are part of your emergency contacts and can be called anytime. In advance, also prepare your child's suitcase with him, the one he will take with him if he sleeps elsewhere, in order to create a complicit and joyful moment for him.

Changes to be made gently

The arrival of a youngest child is sometimes an opportunity to change beds for your elder. Since he is going to become a big brother or big sister, we are moving on to a queen bed (and incidentally because you need to get his baby bed back)!

If he is very attached to his bed or even too small, do not deprive him of his sanctuary. There are alternatives such as cribs or bassinets for the first few months of a newborn.

If it is ready, then celebrate this passage as it should be celebrated. Value your little one who is getting big and above all, do it well before you give birth. Not only will the transition be smoother, but you will also avoid too much change when you return from motherhood.

Our tips for preparing for the arrival of a new baby

Preparing a party for your new family

The idea is to welcome the baby, but also to celebrate your new family! Include your elder in these preparations and this celebration. He could organize it with the co-parent or the family while the mom is in the maternity ward with the baby.

Deculpabilize

If your time isn't always extensible, your love is. Your heart will take many sizes and that of the whole family too! So, stop thinking that your elder is unhappy because he no longer has all of your attention. Instead, he has a younger brother (or sister) with whom he will have lots of laughs and a relationship for the rest of his life.

Accepter

After returning from motherhood, your first child can go through different phases: jealousy, regression (“since we only take care of the baby, I too am becoming a baby again”)... This last phase is sometimes necessary to better find its place. Your mantra will be: “every phase is temporary.”

include

Finally, you can include your elder in daily life with your newborn. Ask for simple advice like “Is the baby crying, do you think he's hungry?” The idea is not to empower your child, but to involve them!

To go further, listen to this episode of La Matrescence.

The Charlie Crane Team