4 Tips For Introducing a Toddler to a New Sibling

The good news about introducing your toddler to your newborn is they will probably forgive you if it’s not the magical, made-for-the-movies experience you envisioned. To be totally honest, they probably won’t remember much about it years down the road.

All that being said, there are a few things that are definitely worth trying when the day comes to make that first meeting as positive and memorable as possible. Here are four strategies for introducing your toddler to their newborn sibling

1. Gift from the Baby

A lot of parents (myself included) recommend presenting your toddler with a gift inexplicably chosen by your baby while they are still in the womb. Honestly, who wouldn’t love a person who gave them a gift the first time they met them?

It doesn't have to be big or pricey, just something that makes your toddler feel like the baby 'gets them.' Here are some of the best big brother or big sister gift ideas we could find.

2. Meet the baby together

No kid wants to feel like they’ve been bumped to the number two spot when a new baby arrives. Remind your toddler that they’re still the head cheese when they meet their new sibling for the first time.

Instead of greeting your toddler with the baby in your arms, have the baby in the bassinet or even out of the room when your toddler arrives. That way, your toddler can have a little one-on-one time with you before you meet the baby together.

3. Keep it Quiet

Even though the experience of bringing a baby into the world can be hectic, try to keep things as calm as possible when introducing your toddler to their new sibling.

Let them come in for a snuggle and give them a chance to hold the baby with a little help from you or another grownup rather than having them meet the baby while you're fielding questions from other enthusiastic friends and family. If possible, have the meeting be the only thing you're focusing on.

4. Introduce the Baby to your Toddler

Make sure to let them know what an awesome big sibling they have and how lucky they are to have them. Gushing over your toddler to the baby is definitely a great way to give their self-esteem a little boost.