A newborn baby for an older sibling might seem awing but also a bit strange. He or she might realize the newborn baby can’t do a lot of things. However, there are a lot of ways a big sibling can bond with their newborn baby brother or sister.
Get your baby and kid off to a happy start with these games a big sibling can play with their baby siblings!
Birth to 3 months
Babies at this stage have limited skills but ultimately are ready to listen and learn about the new world they are in.
Toddlers and preschoolers love to play teacher, so let your older child give a lesson plan to your newborn baby. Have them hold a rattle or soft toy in front of your newborn baby so they can track it with their eyes. When your infant later reaches for the object, you can tell your older children what a good job they had taught him to do.
Babies around 2 months old will start to smile. Have an old sibling make silly faces such as puffing his cheeks or popping them with his hands. Funny noises are also a great idea too. Your older children will love being the ones making them smile!
3 to 6 months
During this growth stage, babies start to laugh and become more animated. Your little one will show excitement around their older siblings when he or she sees them.
When your baby starts to coo and babble, have the older child learn to teach the baby the right way to reply. The older siblings will feel proud that they have helped teach their younger sibling learn how to talk!
If your child earlier enjoyed making their young sibling smile, then they sure will love to make them laugh. Have the older sibling play games, such as This Little Piggy with the baby’s toes. Maybe tell a silly joke to the older sibling can make them laugh and the baby might start laughing simply because the older sibling is. Babies are eager to learn and want to have a good time as well.
6 to 9 months
A baby should be able to sit up without support. This makes them a better plate mate, even though he might not be able to do a lot like the older children can.
Give your kids a pile of toy instruments or pots and wooden spoons. Let them have at it to make some noise. Make sure the older sibling starts to make noise softly, so it doesn’t startle the baby.
9 to 12 months
Your baby by name is moving and bouncing. They are crawling, pulling up, and cruising around. They are likely to mimic their older sibling’s play. Chances are the baby will want to do the same as the older siblings are doing.
Have the older sibling play peek-a-boo with the baby. You can have them change the variation of the game by making objects disappear and reappear. The older sibling can cover the toy blanket, hide their face with their hands, or even pop in and out behind the sofa.
Towards the first year of the baby’s life, they might be able to take their first wobbly steps. You can have the older sibling demonstrate how to walk. The older sibling can hold the hand of the baby as they put one foot in front of the other.
