- Helping with the basics – getting diapers, clothes, wipes for your baby
- Playing with the baby – spending time in tummy time, gentle movements like “so big” and making silly faces (sticking out their tongue, big open mouth)
- Talking to the baby / singing to the baby
- Getting feeding supplies – pillows, water for the feeding parent, any supplemental tools such as bottles, SNS, breast pump
- Talk to your big kids – Explain what you are doing, and why. Tell them about when they were a baby and how you cared for them.
- Bathing – Co-bathing can be a great time for siblings to play, if you have the space. Older siblings can also help with wiping down baby’s body or keeping them entertained while you wash them
- Movement – Moving is so important for little ones. Older siblings can help with playing “so big”, touching hands to toes, and gently moving baby around.
- Reading Books – Great for older kids, baby won’t mind. Older siblings can “read” their favorite book to baby
- Work on their own baby – When you are working on feeding, caring for, doing some exercises with your baby, older siblings can do the same with their baby
- Play with baby appropriate toys – Big kids often want their younger siblings to want to play with them, and they find it challenging when the baby doesn’t play like they want to. Finding soft baby toys that the big kids can use can be so helpful. Some of my favorites – O-balls, Noggin Stik, O-ball rattle, Sophie the Giraffe, even your big kids favorite stuffed animal.
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