Simple Bonding Between Your Baby and Older Children

Well congratulations on your new edition to the family. I am about to give you some good ideas and reasons why your children should bond with the new baby. Normally it is the mother whom the newborn most bonds with, whether it is breast feeding or bottle feeding. The father at least in my family bonds with the new baby in the way of removing the waste changing diapers cleaning up the not so pretty side of that cute little bundle of joy. Together both parents and smile and tickle and hold the baby. This is absolutely necessary for the growth and well being of the baby. Science has proven this fact. Generally if you already have a toddler they are usually jealous and curious of the new little baby in the home. This needs to be addressed for the health of both the toddler and the new baby. If you have older children they tend to not show much interest in the new baby as their younger siblings might. Sometimes girls would be the exception to that rule. This though the older children would not likely admit also gives them a feeling of being left out sometimes. Let's see what can be done to change these feelings and promote a good and healthy bond between the new baby and their siblings.

Ok let's tackle the easiest bonding experience for everyone. Let your toddler or older child help prepare the bottle if you are bottle feeding you're baby. Let your child help in feeding the baby and burping the baby. Let your child help with the changing of the diapers. The baby is exposed to its siblings more, and the siblings are more involved in the babies and your lives. Another simple yet extremely effective activity is to allow your children to walk the baby in a stroller, and if old enough carry the new baby. The theme here is quality and consistent interaction between the baby, siblings and parents. One thing we did was to help and encourage our older children make new toys for their little sibling. Not only does this promote an interest in arts and crafts but it allows the children to feel important and proud. Go out on family picnics together and make sure you point and describe the environment to the new baby, and allow the children to observe and participate in this action. Actually put your hand on the babies hand and help them touch the objects such as rocks or trees or other things not normally encountered by the baby. Let your children participate and help in the bathing of your new baby. Spend at least an hour a day together as a family singing children's songs to the baby.

The simplicity of the above ideas is surprisingly not common practice in most homes. Especially homes with 3 or more children. Go for bike rides together with your children and the baby in a pull along car. Simply slowing down and taking a breath is so vital to the development of all your children and you as well. In today's society it is busy and a relentless pursuit to stay ahead financially. Another wonderful thing to do is to read to your children and baby for at least an hour or so a day and at bed time as well. If the proceeding activities are followed your baby and the rest of the family are going to be better off emotionally, physically and socially. Children without love and nurture almost always are sick and unhealthy. It is especially important if any of your children have special needs such as mental handicaps or physical handicaps. I have a child with Autism and a child with learning disabilities as well as 3 other beautiful "normal" children. Everything I have told you is tried and true by me and my family. Good Luck to you.

Sources:

13 years of parenting 5 children with my wife.