How to Introduce a Newborn to the Family

by Michael Meyerhoff

As expectant parents, you might have thought your baby was going to be yours, and yours alone. As you've probably found out, it doesn't work that way.

If you have other children, they share proprietorship with you; they are, after all, of the same generation as their new sibling. When they all get older, you may have the feeling, as some parents do, that it's "them against us." Your own two sets of parents, and perhaps your grandparents as well, have a vested interest in your child; they are his loving ancestors. They probably feel qualified, and perhaps duty-bound, to advise you about every aspect of the care of your baby.

Many other people will also speak to you of "our baby" and offer advice. Anyone who knows you and cares about you felt like a participant throughout the pregnancy and continues to feel that way during the rearing of your child. These people include aunts, uncles, and cousins; old and new friends; neighbors; colleagues at work; and probably the checkout clerk at the supermarket and the teller at the bank. You even share your baby with your pet, whose function in life now is to be the companion of the child.

In this article, we have compiled some useful guidelines for introducing a newborn to your family. You'll learn about:

Perhaps you're wondering when is the appropriate time to tell your children about your pregnancy. Or maybe you'd like some pointers on what to tell them -- how much is too much and how much is to little? In this section, we discuss these topics in detail. We also include some suggestions for preparing your kids for the upcoming changes.
Once the big day arrives, the reality of a newborn in the house sets in quickly. Read about the three schools of thought on bringing your baby home from the hospital. Learn what to expect from baby's older bothers and sisters in the first days and weeks she's home. And finally, study our tips on dealing with sibling jealousy.
When you compare the advice that your parents got from their pediatrician to the directions you get from yours today, you can see that there is bound to be a bit of a generational "baby gap." This section is dedicated to exploring the differences of opinion that may crop up between you and your parents/parents-in-law. We provide advice on dealing with Grandma's -- and your neighbor's, best friend's, and cousin's -- well-intentioned but unsolicited advice.
Especially if this is your first child, your cat or dog may have a hard time adjusting. Not only does is he used to being the center of attention, but he's also unused to the shrill sounds emanating from the bassinet. Fortunately, there are some things you can do to prepare your pet for the impending change, which you can read about in this section. We also discuss allergies, since one in five children develop them, and what you should be on the lookout for.

If you're pregnant or planning to be, move to the next page to begin reading and learning about how to introduce your baby to the family.

This information is solely for informational purposes. IT IS NOT INTENDED TO PROVIDE MEDICAL ADVICE. Neither the Editors of Consumer Guide (R), Publications International, Ltd., the author nor publisher take responsibility for any possible consequences from any treatment, procedure, exercise, dietary modification, action or application of medication which results from reading or following the information contained in this information. The publication of this information does not constitute the practice of medicine, and this information does not replace the advice of your physician or other health care provider. Before undertaking any course of treatment, the reader must seek the advice of their physician or other health care provider.