Welcoming a new baby may be a joyous time for you and your husband, but for your toddler, it may mean a lot of unwanted changes especially since he has been the star of the family for some time. It is important that he understands this transition. Read on for tips on how you can help your toddler prepare for a newborn.

Introduce Your Toddler To Your Unborn Baby

Explain to your little one that inside mommy’s tummy is a tiny baby boy or girl that he can play with. Introducing your toddler to your unborn baby allows your toddler to adjust with the changes without feeling pressured. Let him stroke your tummy or let him come near your tummy so he can hear the baby and feel the baby kick. This way, your toddler can start developing a feeling of anticipation and gradual acceptance that the family will welcome a new bundle of joy in the coming months.

Tell Stories

Tell your toddler what a baby is like. Toddlers love stories and one of the best ways to prepare your toddler is by sharing stories of when he was still inside your womb and what he was like when he was a baby. Show him his ultrasound photos and his baby pictures. Let him know that as a baby, he used to cry, eat and sleep a lot and that he looked so adorable each time he tried raising his leg so he can reach his toes. The little details will keep your toddler aware what a baby will be like and since this is also a new milestone in his life, this will fascinate and excite him.

Ask For His Help

Involve your toddler when preparing for your new baby’s arrival. Seek his advice. Let him accompany you when you shop for baby items. Allow him to choose the color of the clothes he wants the baby to wear. Give him a task at home. Assign him to put all of the baby’s clothes in the drawer. Put him in charge of counting baby bottles. Asking for your toddler’s participation shows him that you value his opinion and that even if a new baby is coming, your love for him will remain unconditional.

Surround Him With Friends

Invite your friends with babies and toddlers his age to your house. Have him play with your neighbors’ kids more often. If he is old enough, enroll him in a day care center. This gives your little one time to bond with his peers who may have siblings. This will also serve as an eye-opener that while the spotlight may not be centered solely on him anymore, everything is still perfectly fine and it will not hurt to share the attention with others.

Let Him Pick Out A Present

Have him buy the baby a special present. Or get crafty and let him make a banner, collage, drawing or anything that will serve as his welcome present. Your little one can give it to the baby on the day of the birth. Be sure to buy one for him as well, from the new baby.

Spend One On One Time With Him

Set an alone time a few minutes each day with your toddler. Use this time to focus on your toddler and stop doing anything baby-related for the mean time. Help him finish his jigsaw puzzle, prepare his favorite food, talk and cuddle. This time will make him feel special and assure him you are his mommy and he is your baby.

To allow your toddler to welcome the new baby with open arms, he must be emotionally ready. Prepare your toddler as early as possible to make the transition easier for the whole family.

Toddlers develop some sort of fear at one point or another. This is a totally normal part of childhood. But, parents can help ease fear in toddlers more conveniently with a few easy steps. Here is how to do it.

Helping Toddlers Cope With Fears

Know The Reason

What is your toddler afraid of? Darkness? Monsters? Strangers? Crowded places? Doctors? Spiders? No matter how shallow they may seem, recognizing what your toddler’s fears are is an essential step to helping him overcome them. Maybe he is afraid of the dark because he cannot see anything or he is scared of strangers because he feels overwhelmed with their presence.

Do Not Brush Them Off

Do not just laugh and tell your toddler he is silly. Never downplay your toddler’s fears. Instead, take them seriously. Do not make fun or ignore his fears. Reassure your little one that you understand how he feels and that he can always come to you each time he is scared. Remember, the degree of support you give to your child gives him security that it is okay to be afraid and once he understands that, he can properly deal with his fears.

Explain and Expose

The unknown is the root of fear. Your toddler may be scared of the doctor because of the white coat the doctor is wearing or the long needle the doctor uses when giving him shots. Explain to your toddler that the doctor is making sure he is okay. The doctor only checks him up to make sure he is strong and that by sitting still it will be all over before he knows it.

However, reasoning might not completely erase his fears so demonstration is necessary. Buy a storybook about a doctor so you can read it to him during story time. Or, you can show him a picture of a doctor and a little boy smiling. Pretend play also works. Buy him a doctor play set and take turns being the doctor and patient. Eventually, he will be able to realize that there is nothing he should be afraid of and he might even be excited for his incoming monthly check-up.

Solve The Problem Together

If your toddler is afraid of the dark, go to a store and buy him a nightlight. Let him choose the design that he wants. If your toddler is scared of dogs, show him that you are not afraid of him. Let him watch as you and your house dog play fetch. Create a monster chant together so he can say it each time he feels scared. Show your toddler that you are not afraid of his fears, this encourages him to imitate you which will help him overcome his fears.

Offer A Comfort Object

Giving your toddler your old teddy bear, a blanket you used when you were a baby or a special pillow can help ease his fears. Comfort objects can offer your scared toddler familiarity and reassurance. Let him hold on to it at night, when visiting his doctor or when meeting new people.

Give Praise

Facing fears can be hard work so once you notice your little one is making progress commend him for a job well done or offer him a reward like letting him pick out a new toy or cooking him his favorite food. Your optimism encourages your toddler to strive harder.

Fears come and go but it is important that you help him deal with them so he can function better.

Keeping your toddler away from harm is your top priority. However, being a naturally inquisitive child, he will constantly do things beyond your control, hence exposing him to accidents. Learn how to protect your toddler by giving first aid help.

Burns and Scalds

One of the most common childhood accidents toddlers are highly susceptible to. These culprits are a peril to every home especially since toddlers are curious, small and have sensitive skin that require extra protection.

First Aid Help

First-Degree Burns

• Remove your toddler away from the source of the burn.
• Run cool water over the burned area or cold compress it for 10 minutes. If water is not available, use any cold drinking fluid.
• Dry the area using a clean towel and coat it with a sterile gauze pad.
• Do not put butter, toothpaste or powder to the burn to avoid infection.
• Give the correct dose of acetaminophen or ibuprofen to alleviate the pain.
• Apply antiseptic cream once the burn starts to blister. Never try to break the blister.

Second and Third-Degree Burns

• Never treat a serious burn by yourself.
• Seek medical help at once. While waiting for medical personnel to arrive, let your toddler lie down with burned area elevated. Place a clean cloth over the area. Do not touch or breathe on the burn. Do not remove clothing that is stuck to the skin. Cover him with a blanket.

Electrical and Chemical Burns

• Remove your toddler away from danger.
• Rinse the area with cool running water for 10 to 15 minutes. Use soap and water and wash it gently.
• As you continue cooling the burn, remove your toddler’s clothing. Cut them to avoid exposing other parts of his body to the burn.

Nosebleed

This occurs when the nose becomes dry or irritated because of colds, sinus infections, allergies and pressure (e.g. nose picking or putting a foreign object inside the nose).

First Aid Help

• Let him lean forward slightly.
• Use a tissue or a clean, soft towel to gently pinch the soft part of his nose. Do this for 10 minutes and let him breathe through his mouth.
• Release the pressure and check if the bleeding has stopped and cold compress the bridge of his nose.

Choking

Choking is caused when a person’s airway (trachea) is blocked which obstructs normal air circulation. This typically happens when toddlers choke on food or toys.

First Aid Help

• If your toddler is coughing or gagging, encourage him to cough and pat his back.
• If choking continues after coughing, perform abdominal thrusts. Only do this if you have been trained. If not, call for medical help at once. His trachea might have shut down.

Concussions

Concussion occurs when a person obtains a head injury usually while playing or when a person accidentally trips and knocks his head against a solid object. When not treated, this can lead to brain damage or worse, disability.

First Aid Help

• Remove your toddler from the activity.
• To check if the concussion is severe, look for signs of increased alertness, frequent vomiting, headache and convulsion. If he exhibits these symptoms, take him to the emergency room.
• The doctor will ask you how the head injury happened. Give him details (when it happened, its symptoms, etc.).
• Your toddler may need to undergo MIR or have a CT scan to check if there is bleeding.

Heat Stroke

Children are vulnerable to heat stroke as their body temperature tend to overheat easily. This may be due to prolonged sun exposure, dehydration or if they are dressed too warmly. You know your toddler is suffering from heat stroke when – he becomes dizzy, restless, vomits, has a rapid pulse, shallow breathing and hot, red, dry skin.

First Aid Help

• Remove clothing. Go to a cooler area and let him lie down.
• Give him a cool sponge bath to rehydrate his body.
• Talk to him to keep your toddler relaxed.
• Do not offer him anything to drink.
• After he has cooled down, give him a cool bath.

Motion Sickness

Motion sickness is common to children because they are more sensitive to the brain’s response to motion. This can strike during a boat, train or plane ride especially if it is their first time.

First Aid Help

• Let your toddler look afar. Seeing things from a distance helps eliminate your toddler’s queasiness.
• Keep him cool. When on a boat, take him out on deck. Roll down the windows in the car. Use a fan to give him cool air while on the plane.
• Divert his attention. Keep your little one busy to keep his mind distracted. Sing a song or talk about the people and things you see.