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How to Prevent Newborn Sibling Jealousy?

Experts state that it is a natural feeling for a child to be jealous of his newborn sibling.

How to Prevent Newborn Sibling Jealousy?
Posted Mar 4, 2022

Newborn Sibling Jealousy

Learning that he will have a sibling causes his throne in the family to be shaken during childhood and the anxiety that nothing will ever be the same. Experts, who state that it is a natural feeling for a child to be jealous of his newborn sibling, say that every individual may want to be the first, to be special, to be a priority, to be liked and preferred. While it is stated that it is sometimes difficult to control the feeling of jealousy even if the person in question is a sibling, experts underline that it is the most correct behavior that parents should practice, rather than seeing this feeling as a problem. Alright, How to prevent newborn sibling jealousy? Here are the solutions to sibling jealousy in line with expert advice and the answer to the question of how to treat the child with a new sibling...

Why Do Children Get Jealous of Their Siblings?

It is stated that the reason for jealousy, which is said to be a natural emotion by experts, is due to the sharing of the loved one with another and basically due to insecurity. Jealousy is stated as the most basic reason for the discomfort that arises from the attention and attention directed to himself until he becomes a sibling. It is stated that the decrease in the time allocated to the child with the birth of a sibling causes the development of feelings such as resentment and anger against the new baby, but actually towards the parents, as well as the fact that the child will begin to feel abandoned, unsupported and insecure in this period.

How to Prevent Newborn Sibling Jealousy?

"Degree of Jealousy Depends on Tolerance of Conviction"

The degree of sibling jealousy is said by experts to depend on the changes in parental attitude with the birth of a new baby, the established relationship between the older child and the parents, and the tolerance of the child to let the baby have a negative impact. It is noted that another factor that plays a role in the degree of jealousy is the age difference between siblings, and that the incidence of jealousy is slightly higher in siblings with a small age gap than in siblings with a large age gap.

How to Prevent Newborn Sibling Jealousy?

Anger at Newborn Siblings is Significant in Sibling Jealousy Symptoms

Anger towards the newborn sibling is evident in sibling jealousy. The idea that he is loved more, that he is loved more, that he is in the foreground, that everything he wants is done, that he is put in the background and that he is not loved anymore shows itself with behaviors such as introversion, being alone, intense conflicts and constant anger in the child, who is his new sibling. The child who has a sibling feels like he has been pushed into the background, while he is the center of love and attention at home until a new baby comes home. With the arrival of a new baby in their lives, they now have to share the care and love of their parents and other relatives with their sibling. During this period, he completely distances himself from his mother, thinking that he is not loved; He turns inward, becomes quiet, does not eat and may begin to weaken.

How to Treat a Child whose New Sibling Shows Jealousy

Experts, who gave some advice on how to treat the child with new sibling jealousy, said that when a new sibling came to the house during childhood, his throne was shaken and the child, who was worried that everything would not be the same anymore, that parents and other people actually did not change anything, that he is still very much for them. They say that they have to show that they are special with their behavior towards him. They express that after this behavior, the child will relax and can control the anger he feels towards his sibling.

Prenatal Precautions and Solutions to Prevent Newborn Sibling Crying

  • Create special times before the baby is born,
  • Don't do whatever you want and don't make it the center of the world, (valid for every child before 3 years old)
  • Send half-day or full-day kindergarten before the baby is born (3 years and above)
  • Make your love felt with your actions, do not struggle with their stubbornness, (before 3 years old)
  • When your belly starts to become clear, do exercises to love the baby. While doing this, try to establish an emotional bond by telling him what a sibling means.
  • Shop before his sibling is born so that he gets a lot of attention.
  • Reserve the room before the baby is born, not after the baby is born,
  • Make task planning for postpartum responsibilities with your spouse,

How to Prevent Newborn Sibling Jealousy?

Postpartum Precautions for Sibling Jealousy

  • Do not make you feel your anxiety and tiredness, which increases as the time of birth approaches,
  • Make your lifestyle changes and baby preparations in a way that does not cause anxiety for your child,
  • Relieve your worries with a trusted person (father) in the hospital garden during childbirth,
  • See your child not immediately after birth, but after some relaxation;
  • Make sure that the hospital room is not crowded in the first meeting with his brother,
  • Take care that the baby is in the bed at the first meeting with his sibling,
  • Give a hello gift to make the first encounter go perfect
  • Maintain the same closeness with your child while breastfeeding,
  • When you get home, arrange the placement of new items together,
  • While the mother takes care of the baby, the father should play games as before,
  • In the transition to sleep, the task distribution planned before the birth should be followed,
  • While petting the baby, you and your guests should not show excessive affection,
  • Do not make angry warnings about the baby,
  • Do not compare between siblings,
  • Ensure that he takes responsibility for his sibling's care,
  • Do not force him not to share his room and belongings,
  • Do not interfere in every problem between siblings,