Bringing home a newborn is one of the most beautiful and life-changing moments in a family’s story. But alongside the joy, there’s a quiet question many parents carry:

How will my older child adjust?

I remember the day we brought our daughter home. Our son, Rowan, was so proud to be a big brother. He tried to give her his pacifier. He brought her his favorite toys. His excitement was pure and wholehearted, and just a little overwhelming at times.

As I gently guided his enthusiasm, my heart swelled watching the beginning of their relationship unfold. I hoped they’d grow up close like my brother and I did. Now, watching their bond grow has been one of the sweetest gifts of motherhood. Hearing their giggles and squeals when they are in the other room playing together is such a special sound.

If you’re wondering how to help your older sibling adjust to a newborn, you’re not alone. This season is tender, emotional, and sometimes messy, but it can also be deeply beautiful.

Here are a few things that helped our family during this transition.

Start Preparing Early

Use Books to Introduce the Idea

Books can be a powerful way to help your child understand what’s coming. Titles like I’m a Big Sister or I’m a Big Brother by Joanna Cole help normalize the excitement, curiosity, and even jealousy that can come with welcoming a baby.

Stories create a safe space for questions and big feelings, and can help normalize those emotions.

Involve Them in the Preparations

Give your older child small, meaningful ways to participate, like letting them help choose nursery decor, letting them pick out a stuffed animal for their new sibling, or letting them choose a “big sibling” gift.

When children feel included, they feel valued. That inclusion helps ease insecurity.

Keep Communication Open

One of the biggest things that helps an older sibling adjust to a newborn is simple: listening.

Encourage your child to share how they feel, even if those feelings are complicated. Avoid correcting emotions. Instead, validate them:

“It makes sense you feel sad when I’m holding the baby.”
“I know this is a big change.”

Security grows when children feel seen and heard.

After Baby Arrives: Encourage Gentle Involvement

After the baby arrives, it’s a whole new ball game. During this time, it’s helpful to foster interaction between your older child and their new sibling. Let your older child “help” with the baby; maybe they can pick out the baby’s outfit for the day, or sing them a lullaby, or simply talk to the baby. This can help them form a bond with the baby, and feel included in this new phase of your family’s life.

Protect One-on-One Time

But remember, amid all this, feelings of jealousy might creep in. It’s essential to reassure your older child that they’re still loved just as much as before. This might be the most important tip of all.

Set aside intentional one-on-one time with your older child. It doesn’t have to be elaborate. A walk, bedtime snuggles, a picnic in the park, or reading a favorite book are all some ideas, but the important thing is consistency.

Keep Their Routine

Ultimately, keep in mind that as parents, you’re their compass in this new territory. It’s important to keep as much of their normal routine as possible.

Whether it’s their beloved bedtime story, or that funny face you pull while having dinner, keeping some things the same can provide them with comfort.

And remember, every child is different and will react differently. It’s about guiding them through this process with love, understanding, and patience.

Maintaining familiar routines (like bedtime stories or Saturday pancakes) anchors them in stability when everything else feels new.

Why This Season Matters

The newborn stage is fleeting. The sibling bond, however, is lifelong.

In these early days, you aren’t just managing behavior, you’re shaping connection. You’re modeling patience, empathy, and love.

The adjustment may not always be smooth. There may be tears. Regression. Big emotions.

But there will also be quiet forehead kisses. Toy-sharing. Giggles during tummy time.

Those are the moments you’ll never want to forget.

Capturing the Beginning of Their Story

Those early sibling interactions — the curiosity, the tenderness, even the awkward excitement — are part of your family’s legacy.

If you’re welcoming a new baby in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, I would love to help you document this chapter. Newborn and sibling sessions are relaxed, baby-led, and designed to preserve those authentic connections.

Because years from now, these images will remind you of how it all began.

👉 If you’re expecting or have recently welcomed a little one, reach out to Lindsay O’Quinn Photography to schedule your newborn or family session in Tuscaloosa.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I prevent jealousy when bringing home a new baby?
Include your older child in preparations, protect one-on-one time, and validate their emotions openly.

Is regression normal when a new sibling arrives?
Yes. Potty accidents, clinginess, or mood swings are common during transitions. Patience and reassurance go a long way.

How can I encourage bonding between siblings?
Invite small responsibilities, encourage gentle interaction, and celebrate positive moments between them.

When is the best time to schedule a newborn and sibling session?
Ideally within the first 2–3 weeks after birth, but lifestyle sessions work beautifully at any stage during that first year.

If you’d like to learn more about how to prepare for your newborn session, check out this blog post.