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Use Dolls To Train Older Siblings

By: Victor Epand

Are you expecting your second child? The pregnancy is time during which you will be making arrangements to accommodate yet another little life in the home. You will prepare a nursery, and perhaps move your older child into a new space. To make this transition easier on everyone, it is important to let the older child know what to expect. You can use a doll to demonstrate all of the ways to take care of a newborn baby, and help them practice being an older sibling. If you show them how they can help you, it will make them feel special and included, rather than replaced.

One of the first things that you can teach your young child is how to hold the baby. Lay a doll down, and show your child how you will pick up the baby, supporting the head and neck gently. Then show them how you will hold it, snuggled in your arms carefully, so it will be comfortable, and you won't drop it. After demonstrating how it is done, give the kid a try. Gently place the doll down as if it was your real new baby, and help them to handle the baby as you did. Guide and instruct them, as well as correct them if they make a mistake. Encourage them that they will be a good big brother or big sister if they do it well.

Another lesson that you can give your son or daughter is feeding. There are some dolls out there that are perfect for this lesson, because they some with bottles. Teach them how to carefully hold the baby while sitting down and feeding them. Remember to show them that the baby needs to burp, too.

Changing a baby's diaper may not be e necessary lesson, especially if your other little is still in diapers. Most likely they will not be performing this task. It is a good idea to go through the motions anyway, and show them how they can help you when you will need to change a diaper. They can hand you wipes or baby powder to help.

All in all, this training time with the doll will give them something to look forward to when the baby finally arrives. They will feel included, and gain a sense of importance. It is a great way to help an only child transition into the responsibility of being an older sibling.

About the author

Victor Epand is an expert consultant about kids toys, stuffed animals, and dolls. You will find the best marketplace for kids toys, stuffed animals, and dolls at these sites for kids toys, stuffed animals, and baby dolls.

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