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  05-Oct-09 16:30

• Benefits of Prenatal Massage

  27-Sep-09 17:03

• Feel Sexy During and After Pregnancy

  26-Sep-09 16:35

• Bringing a New Baby Home

  25-Sep-09 16:59

• Bonding

  23-Sep-09 15:08

• Helping Picky Eaters

  11-Sep-09 23:45

• Combating Tired, Puffy Eyes

  11-Sep-09 23:23

Bringing a New Baby Home

10 Ways Grandparents Can Help to Avoid Sibling Rivalry When Bringing a New Baby Home

The thrill of welcoming a new grandbaby sometimes causes grandparents to forget that their other grandchildren need them, too. Making the new baby’s siblings feel special is a perfect job for grandparents. Parents should be involved as well, but in the hectic early days of caring for a newborn, they will probably welcome grandparents’ help. Avoiding sibling rivalry and jealousy when bringing a new baby home is a job best tackled by the whole family.

1.    Prepare the way

Savvy parents and grandparents will lay the groundwork for a healthy sibling relationship during pregnancy by including older children in conversations about the new baby and in making necessary preparations. Many hospitals help by having sibling classes, providing “Big Brother” or “Big Sister” tees and giving the older children goodie bags. For their part, grandparents should avoid focusing too much on the pending arrival and should give the older children lots of attention.

2.    Do hospital duty

If the new grandbaby was born in a hospital, and the hospital allows siblings to visit, you can be there to facilitate the visit. Perhaps you can be the one to take the older children to the hospital. You can certainly be available to take the kids out of the room when they get restless or when the baby needs quiet time with the mother. Hospitals are full of fascinating vending machines; give the grandkids a stash of quarters and take them to buy a treat, or take them to the nursery window to check out the other newborns.

3.    Be a considerate visitor

Once the new grandbaby comes home, you’ll be coming for visits. Be sure to greet the older siblings first. The new baby won’t mind waiting a while to be held, but the siblings will notice if you go straight for the newborn first. Play quietly with the older children, or take them outside to play. Of course, you’ll be very careful not to make any extra work for the parents. After you’ve spent time with the older children, maybe you can get in some face time with the baby.

4.    Bring gifts

Even if you are not the type of grandparent who normally brings gifts, it is a good idea to bring small gifts for the older siblings. The baby will naturally be getting lots of gifts, and the siblings may be feeling slighted. Steer away from anything that would create a mess or that requires a lot of parental supervision.

5.    Take them away

In the days after the baby is born, spend time with the older siblings. This is a perfect time for you to take them on outings. You’ll get their undivided attention, and the parents will get a little break. If the grandchildren are accustomed to occasional sleepovers at your house, think about scheduling one. Don’t take them home stuffed with junk food, overtired or too dirty.

6.    Emphasize the brother/sister relationship

Refer to the baby as “our baby” and “your sister” or “your brother.” Emphasize how lucky the new baby is to have siblings. If the siblings are able to entertain the baby or make the baby laugh, be sure to point out how much the baby likes them. At the same time, it is important to allow the child to express both positive and negative feelings about the new arrival.

7.    Relive the older siblings' baby years

Looking at baby books and baby pictures of the older children will reassure them that they were loved as babies just as the new baby is loved. Sharing memories of their baby years will also help them bond with the new baby, especially if you point out things that they had in common with the new baby.

8.    Reinforce mature behavior

Many children react to a new baby by reverting to childish behavior. This regression is more likely a reaction to stress rather than an attempt to imitate the baby. Praise the older children for mature behavior. Don’t shame them for babyish behavior. Celebrate the older siblings’ milestones, such as learning to tie shoes or write simple words.

9.    Make time for laughter

Households with new babies can be rather serious places, as parents deal with sleep deprivation and other challenges. Make it your mission to bring laughter when you come. Telling jokes and riddles, playing silly games or watching funny movies can be tension-breakers for the whole family. If parents are very stressed, take the older children and your hijinks outside.

10. Honor the family unit

Many factors affect relationships between siblings. Some of these, such as gender difference and personality conflicts, are out of the family's control. Family members can, however, control their behavior to other family members. Having empathy for others is key. If parents and grandparents consistently model loving and considerate behavior toward all members of the family, children will be more likely to have harmonious relationships with siblings.

Bonding

Bonding – the process of falling in love with your baby and vice versa – doesn’t always happen the moment your child is placed in your arms.  And although it may not happen instantly, here are 5 ways to help you encourage bonding with the apple of your eye!

1.       Reading stories in the bath or before bed is a lovely way to communicate to your bump before you actually meet him/her.

2.       When you are nursing, take care to focus solely on your baby, staring into his eyes and ignoring the world around you. Make a point to find a quiet place.

3.       Massage your baby, taking pleasure in how soft her skin is, and how much enjoyment she gets from your touch.

4.       Explore your baby’s sense of humor.  Pregnancy Journey customer, Lisa Martinez says, “My 3 month-old baby loves it when I blow raspberries at him.  He tries copying me and we connect by      

       making funny noises together!”

5.       Sing rhymes and read storybooks from birth.  Regardless of what you think of your voice, your newborn will take great comfort in hearing your special sound.

Helping Picky Eaters

One of the struggles that we parents have with our children is their reluctance to eat. This reluctance can make you anxious and concerned, perhaps even drive you crazy! Instilling healthy eating habits isn't just about what foods you offer your child, but how, why and when you do so.

Here's how to set your child up for eating success:

• SHOW, DON'T TELL. You can't expect your kids to eat well if you don't. Kids see what Mom and Dad do and they mimic it, so if you want your child to eat their peas, you should set the example and dig in yourself.
• BE HONEST. If you tell your child that there is no zucchini in those muffins and your child finds out otherwise, he can't trust you. That's not to say you can't sneak in some veggies - just don't pretend they're not in there. After all, your child will never learn to embrace zucchini if he takes a bite, loves them, and never realizes what they are.
• MAKE IT A MEAL. Eating should be a family experience with everyone enjoying the same foods together as often as schedules allow. Make minor modifications such as finely chopping hard-to-chew food, but avoid becoming the short-order cook.
• OFFER OPTIONS. This lets children feel in control. If your child opts for broccoli over green beans, he's more likely to eat it.
• REMAIN NEUTRAL. Enforcing the "clean-plate rule" or pressuring kids about food can lead to eating disorders and weight problems down the road. When you give children rewards for finishing their food, they'll learn that they're supposed to eat even if they're not hungry.