Preparing Your Child for the New Arrival

Getting Her Involved

Helping your child feel involved in the process can also make things easier. Here are a few things to try:

• Let her help set up the baby's crib, decide where the furniture will go, and display her artwork around the nursery.
• If your older child will be sharing the room, it's important she has her own space. If your child will be moving into her own room, make the switch at least a month before the baby arrives so she won't feel displaced.
• Look at a calendar together and let your child guess which day the baby might be born.
• Let your child participate in the discussion about names for the baby.

And for extra peace of mind, Sullivan recommends making child-care arrangements well in advance so your little one knows who will be sitting for her while you're away.