Mommy's Having a Baby

Once Rocky, Always Rocky?

First impressions aren't everything. A toddler who rejects a baby may eventually become her best friend; a child might adore a newborn but grow irritated as the baby begins to grab his stuff. "Like all relationships, this one will change," says Korfmacher. "Often the baby is disappointing because the older one expected an instant playmate."

Show your big kid empathy ("It's hard to listen to the baby cry, I know"), and offer praise when he's kind. Mostly, don't fret. My friend Allison tells this tale: "When Charlotte was born, Lewis wouldn't touch her. When she was about 6 months old, he suggested we take her to the zoo -- so the animals could eat her! I was shocked, but I just said, 'That's not a good idea. That would hurt her.' Somehow that was the turning point." Soon after, Lewis started smiling at his sister, and by the time she was a year old, they were pals.

Copyright © 2007. Used with permission from the November 2007 issue of American Baby magazine.

All content on this Web site, including medical opinion and any other health-related information, is for informational purposes only and should not be considered to be a specific diagnosis or treatment plan for any individual situation. Use of this site and the information contained herein does not create a doctor-patient relationship. Always seek the direct advice of your own doctor in connection with any questions or issues you may have regarding your own health or the health of others.