4th Trimester Project

A Village for Mothers

Baby & Other Children

Each baby that joins a family can bring joy, new experiences, and the need for family adjustments. Although every family can experience things differently, some experiences are universal. Many women worry that they won’t love their new child as much as the one(s) they have. In reality, almost everyone finds that love multiplies, rather than divides. Your relationships with your siblings (brothers, sisters, or as an only) will color your experience as the mother of siblings. And, every baby is different. What worked with your other child(ren) may or may not work for your new one.

Postpartum recovery can be harder with younger children at home, and helping everyone in the family adjust to a new member takes time and energy. This might be especially true in stepfamilies, where the birth a baby can form new half-sibling relationships in addition to biological sibling relationships. This section offers some tips to help you get through the first few months as a bigger family.

Helping other children adjust when twins arrive can be rewarding and challenging when multiple babies are involved. Here is a link to a great resource for parents of twins.

Topics in Baby & Other Children

Developmental Age and Reactions to Baby

Mar 31, 2023
Everyone is adjusting and will respond differently to a new baby and all the household upheaval that follows. Some of this may be changes in behavior, particularly among younger children, that may look like they are going back in time. Children under the age of four tend to have the greatest difficulty with the birth […]

Developmental Age and Reactions to Baby

Everyone is adjusting and will respond differently to a new baby and all the household upheaval that follows. Some of this may be changes in behavior, particularly among younger children, that may look like they are going back in time. Children under the age of four tend to have the greatest difficulty with the birth […]

Transitioning

Mar 31, 2023
Becoming a parent of more than one child produces important change in your role as caregiver, the experiences of family members, and how the family functions as group. In the midst of all this change, be patient with yourself and the process. For example, don’t put too much weight on your older children’s initial reactions […]

Transitioning

Becoming a parent of more than one child produces important change in your role as caregiver, the experiences of family members, and how the family functions as group. In the midst of all this change, be patient with yourself and the process. For example, don’t put too much weight on your older children’s initial reactions […]

Managing Time and Support

Mar 31, 2023
Going from 1 to 2 children, 2 to 3 children, or 3 to more children while recovering from pregnancy, labor, and delivery is not easy! Finding time for self care with even one infant takes some doing – caring for yourself, baby, and other children is definitely a challenge. Fortunately, you have experience from your […]

Managing Time and Support

Going from 1 to 2 children, 2 to 3 children, or 3 to more children while recovering from pregnancy, labor, and delivery is not easy! Finding time for self care with even one infant takes some doing – caring for yourself, baby, and other children is definitely a challenge. Fortunately, you have experience from your […]

Baby Wearing Basics and Safety

Mar 31, 2023
Baby wearing can be fun and useful, not only for when you are out and about but also around the home. Infants usually feel happy and settled when close to their caregivers. Using a tool like a wrap, sling, or carrier enables that connection while also freeing your arms and hands – hooray! Many families […]

Baby Wearing Basics and Safety

Baby wearing can be fun and useful, not only for when you are out and about but also around the home. Infants usually feel happy and settled when close to their caregivers. Using a tool like a wrap, sling, or carrier enables that connection while also freeing your arms and hands – hooray! Many families […]

Bonding with Other Children

Mar 31, 2023
There is no perfect answer for how to grow a family. Adjusting during the months right after the birth of a new baby is the most intense. There are some things that might help. Try to set aside special time for your older child(ren). Each parent should spend some one-on-one with the older child(ren) every […]

Bonding with Other Children

There is no perfect answer for how to grow a family. Adjusting during the months right after the birth of a new baby is the most intense. There are some things that might help. Try to set aside special time for your older child(ren). Each parent should spend some one-on-one with the older child(ren) every […]

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