Our mums went through the experience of introducing their pregnancy and a new sibling to their first borns. They struggled with feelings of guilt, not being able to give their elder children enough attention. They experienced that it could be difficult at times for a first born to have to share you with a sibling. But they also experienced how great it is to see their sibling love and to experience how big your heart can grow when you have multiple children. Here are some of the tips and advice that our mums shared when they were in doubt or struggling at times. Take advantage of it!

• Big sister/brother t-shirt – these t-shirts are a great idea whether you want to use it for a picture for your public announcement of your pregnancy or whether you will just let your first born wear this t-shirt at times or when their sibling is born. You can even combine it with little brother/sister onesie for your newborn.
• Big sister/brother book – these books are great to prepare your first born for the arrival of their sibling. The book will give your first born an idea of what it means that you are pregnant and expecting a baby. It will also help you talk about what it means to become an older brother/sister.
• Prepare – talk about becoming big brother/sister and what that means. A big sister/brother book might help you address this topic, but just having a chat is fine too. Ask your first born questions about what will happen when baby is here and how they will be able to help you etc.
• Buy a doll – this is a good idea to practice what it means to take care of a baby. Being gentle and correctly holding baby are good things to talk about before the new baby’s arrival. You can also show your first born how you would hold, feed, wash and settle a baby. Your first born can also use the baby doll once your new baby has arrived to copy you. It is a great investment!

• Presents – let your first born choose a present for baby and themselves. This might create some excitement around baby’s arrival and will also make your first born feel special once the time is there.
• Hospital visit – think about what your first born can do while visiting you in hospital. Our mums prepared busy bags full with things for them to do and play with. It is a great idea to get them through a few hours of hospital visit.
• Hospital stay – tell your first born that you might have to stay a couple of days in hospital when the new baby arrives. To make it extra special for them, maybe think about a small gift for each day that you have to stay in hospital.
• Daddy dates – one of one dates with dad during paternity leave are a good way to make sure that your first born does get enough attention during those first busy weeks with a new born. Let them go on exciting dates to make it extra special!
• Cuddle time – make sure that you take time for cuddles with your first born. Especially in the first weeks with a newborn you might be so busy that you could forget. Your first born will find it difficult to share your attention with the new baby, so it is extra important that you will make some time for them too. Make sure that your time with them is not interrupted and you are there for them completely.
• Story time – another way to give your first born enough attention is to set aside some specific one on one story time. Children love reading books with you and taking the time out to sit down with them and read a book, will make them feel like before: having your full attention.

With these tips you will have a great start at introducing a new baby to your little family. All of our mums found a way to deal with multiple kids and their kids got used to sharing them with siblings. It will all work out over time, but it is a lot easier if you already know what will make it easier. You do now!