When a new baby enters the family, the other children, depending on their ages, can be a bit confused. Even if mom and dad explain that mommy’s expanding belly means a baby is coming, some children just don’t put two and two together. When the baby suddenly appears one day after mom has made a visit to the hospital, the older brother or sister may feel a bit disjointed. New babies require constant care, and toddlers can find themselves feeling neglected, even when they’re not. A great solution to both keep the youngster occupied and teach them about their younger sibling is a newborn baby doll.
Most parents naturally feel hesitant about letting a four or five-year-old hold a small infant. The big brother or sis will want to though, so a great first step is letting them hold and care for their own newborn baby doll. The dolls are typically about the same size as an average newborn and they have soft skin and a sweet expression on their faces, just like the real thing.
Bringing the doll home at the same time the baby makes its arrival is ideal. You naturally don’t want to confuse the little tike by telling them that their new sibling is just like the newborn baby doll. You want to explain that the baby is a human being, just like they are and in order for them to understand how careful you have to be with the baby, they need to first show they can take care of the doll. Kids love anything that feels or seems grown-up.
There are all different types of clothes that you can buy for the dolls. If you just had a baby girl, buy a doll of the same gender, along with a few dress-up outfits and a small blanket. Do the very same in blue if you just welcomed a new son into your family. Asking your child to name the newborn baby doll is a lovely idea. They’ll be tickled with the responsibility and you’ll get to see their creative side. They may think it’s cute to name their doll after the new baby or even the family pet. Also don’t be surprised if the name changes day-by-day, some kids just can’t make up their minds.
These lifelike toys aren’t expensive at all and are really a must have for any family with a little one awaiting the arrival of a new baby. As the toddler matures, it’s a nice idea to let them help hold the real baby’s bottle and even hold them in their lap as long as mom or dad are close by to supervise. Sooner or later they’ll likely want to pass their newborn baby doll on to their younger sibling when they are ready to graduate to other toys.
