Before the Baby Arrives
- Talk simply and honestly about what is coming.
- Involve the older child in small ways; choosing clothes, setting up the cot.
- Avoid major changes like starting school or moving rooms right at the same time.
What the Older Child Feels
Regression, clinginess, and acting out are normal expressions of insecurity, not naughtiness. A child who suddenly wants to be a baby again is asking, in their way, whether they still matter.
After the Baby Comes
- Protect one-on-one time with the older child, even ten focused minutes a day.
- Let them be a helper, not a rival; small, real jobs build pride.
- Acknowledge their feelings: 'It is hard to share Amma right now.'
- Watch how visitors behave; a flood of attention only for the baby stings, so gently steer some toward the elder one.
The Long View
Rivalry early on does not predict the lifelong relationship. Warmth, fairness, and refusing to constantly compare siblings do far more for that bond than forced sharing ever will.