With the arrival of a brand new family member, it’s time to get ready for both joy and challenge!
Adding a new member to the family is a big deal!
t’s a wonderful and exciting time, but sometimes the new big brother or sister isn’t so happy about the new little person taking up all of mommy and daddy’s time.
Expect a little bit of a regression
It’s normal and to be expected that with any change in homelife, your child will regress a little. This is actually a great opportunity to strengthen their sleep skills by being consistent with all that you’ve taught them thus far. Toddlers and young children thrive in a consistent environment.
Even though lots of things are changing with the new baby, when you keep their routines, boundaries, and your expectations as consistent as possible, they feel more secure.
Give your older child special attention during the day
I know the new baby is all consuming at times, but try your best to give your older child some intentional attention and meaningful connection during the day.
If possible, have bedtime routine alone with them without baby. I know this is not always possible, but it’s a great way to give them that consistency and connection they crave.
Sleep expectations stay the same
Yes, you can expect a bit of a regression, but your expectations for your older child should stay the same. If they always go to bed at 7:30 p.m. and sleep through the night, don’t change your expectation and revert to the old sleep props again. You’ve worked so hard to get them sleeping independently, don’t undo it!
Let’s Get Your Child Sleeping Through The Night
Just think, in as little as 1 to 3 days, you may ALL be sleeping better through the night!
Make sure all other caregivers know the “sleep rules"
And…follow them while they are watching your older child overnight or during the day.
You’ll likely be relying on help from friends and family during this time, so just make sure everyone is on the same page about how to handle your older child’s sleep needs.
Write down a simple bedtime routine, bedtime, nap-time instructions for whoever will be taking care of your older child.
Involve your toddler in caring for the new baby
When we are in baby mode, it’s sometimes easy to forget to involve the older sibling. Simply communicating what you are doing with the baby to your toddler can help your them feel more at ease and connected to you and the baby. Let them get the diaper or turn off the lights for you, pick out the outfit for baby. Giving your toddler lots of praise and small bits of attention through out the day will help them feel seen and important. isn’t that what we all want in life??
You’re starting a beautiful family journey with the addition of your new bundle of joy.
While it’s an incredibly exciting time, you may notice some regression in behavior from your older child due to all the changes at home. But don’t worry – by being consistent and providing special attention when possible, there are ways for everyone to learn how to adjust together as a family!
Make sure others know “sleep rules” that stay true and allow your toddler both ample opportunity for connection before bedtime or nap-times so they can continue building on those important sleep skills that you’ve worked so hard on with them.
We're here to help
I understand it can be a challenge if you’re experiencing regressions in your older child’s sleep since bringing home the new baby. But don’t worry, I’m here to help! I offer coaching programs for newborns through preschool. Let’s chat for 30 minutes and create a plan to get your older child’s sleep back on track. I can even share some tips to help your newborn sleep better too! You can easily book a call or send me an email using the contact tab on my website. Looking forward to hearing your unique situation and offering my best advice!
By familiarizing yourself with the potential challenges, setting clear boundaries, and nurturing a positive sibling relationship, you can create an environment that fosters love, support, and harmony within your growing family. Remember that your toddler and new baby will develop a strong and special bond with time, patience, and consistency.
So take these helpful tips along with lots of love into welcoming your newest little one…and enjoy every minute watching big brother/sister grow up contentedly alongside their baby sibling too!
If you’re looking for some newborn support, you can schedule a call with us and we’d be happy to listen and guide you through, or grab our FREE 7 tips for infants guide.
You're not alone Mama
If you are in the thick of it, just know that you aren’t alone. Every struggle you face is preparing you for something bigger. Hang in there, mama—you’ve got this!
If you’re tired of all the searching, tried other methods that have failed, and you’re looking for someone to hold your hand through the sleep training process, consider booking a call with one of our sleep consultants. We use a more gentle approach versus leaving your little one to cry and typically get results in as little as the first 1-3 days!
Book a call by clicking the link below to see how we can help you.
Author Naomi Shepler is a pediatric sleep consultant and mom of three, helping families throughout the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania area build healthy sleep habits through gentle, personalized sleep training. Drawing from both her professional training and her own parenting experience, Naomi guides families toward better sleep with compassionate support and customized plans. Learn more at: fabuloussleepsolutions.com