Siblings

Having a new baby is exciting, though it means big changes to your family structure. For children, you can help them adjust to these changes by answering their questions on a level they can understand.

Communicating About Baby

Siblings, especially young ones, will need to know about baby’s habits and requirements. You may say:

• Baby will sleep a lot.
• Baby will need mommy to feed him or her.
• Baby will drink only milk or formula.
• Baby may cry a lot. It is baby’s way of telling mom and dad that it is hungry or tired or needs something.
• Baby will need its diapers changed.
• Baby needs lots of care from mom and dad because it cannot do things by itself like you can.
  
  

Children love to help, and you may communicate that as a big brother or sister, they can help by:

• Playing quietly while Mom or baby is sleeping.
• Setting the table for dinner.
• Cleaning up your toys and books.
• Dressing by yourself and putting on your shoes.
• Holding baby, or helping give baby a bath or bottle, but only when mom or dad is with you.
  

Sibling Preparation Class

St. Francis offers a Sibling Preparation Class, which celebrates the child as big brother or big sister through activities and crafts. This special experience is for 3 to 8 year old children (along with their parents) who are about to become Big Brother or Big Sister for the first time. Through stories, video, and activities, the children prepare for baby’s arrival by learning the differences, abilities, and needs of infants. A 4x6 picture of your child is needed for class activity.  Find available dates >> 

Celebrate Siblings

It's a special thing to become a big brother or big sister, and for that reason St. Francis offers a "Sibling Celebration" package. Once baby is born and mom and dad are settled in the hospital, the new sibling can visit and celebrate as the family with a "birthday cake"and their own very special t-shirt. Schedule a Sibling Celebration by talking with your nurse at the hospital.