Sibling rivalry is inevitable, but you can cope with the situation
When you are about to have a second child, your first-born may suffer from the dethroned prince syndrome, which is nothing more than the jealousy you may feel for the attention the newborn will receive.
However, the family environment regarding the arrival of the new baby is the key to minimizing the impact of the older child.
SYMPTOMS
The jealousy, insecurity and uncertainty that a boy or girl may present with the arrival of a new member are expressed in one or more of the following ways:
-Physical discomforts like headache or stomach pain
-Extreme restlessness
-Irritability more than usual
-Need for care
-Sadness
-Demotivation
-Return to stages already overcome (use of diapers, pacifiers, refusing to eat alone and backward movement of language)
– Frequent crying for no reason
-Sleep problems
-Ignoring the new baby
-Physical aggression to the newborn
HOW TO FIGHT IT
In the process of acceptance and adaptation to the arrival of a new brother, it is convenient to anticipate the changes that the little one will feel:
-Avoid telling him that his brother or sister will play with him, because the age difference, however short, will not allow it
-Show him photos, clothes and toys from when he was little
-Explain that the baby requires attention and care, but that does not change how you feel about him
-Involve him in the care so that he feels motivated
-Avoid punishments and bother you when you misbehave, derived from jealousy; but you must correct their inappropriate behaviors
-Find a middle point between firmness and affection
-Ignore the inappropriate behaviors derived from jealousy, with this you will realize that they are useless
– Completely avoid comparisons
-Spend time alone to him
-Avoid as much as you can important changes in your life: such as entering the nursery, leaving the diaper or the pacifier, etc.
-Tell him the advantages of being the older brother