And Baby Makes Four (or More)

A new baby in the family is a joyful occasion, but it can also be a time of concern for young children who are uncertain as to their new role in the family. The following resource list contains items that will help parents prepare the young child for the event, answer questions and worries that the child may have, and celebrate the special bonds that older siblings share with the new baby.

What to Expect From a New Baby

These are books to share with the “big” sibling to introduce the new items and experiences that will be coming into their lives.

A Teeny, Tiny Baby by Amy Schwartz (1994): A two-week-old baby describes the many activities he enjoys, both at home and out in the busy city.

The Baby Dances by Kathy Henderson (1998): Recounts the development of a baby, from birth to rolling over, crawling, standing, and finally walking.

Baby Steps by Peter McCarty (2000): Baby Suki grows from one day old to one year old, squealing, smiling, eating, reaching for her mobile, taking naps and playing.

The Difference Between Babies and Cookies by Mary Hanson (2002): A child's mother compares babies to such things as cookies, puppies, bread, tiger cubs and sunshine.

Everywhere Babies by Susan Meyers (2001): Describes babies and the things they do from the time they are born until their first birthday.

Great Expectations: Baby’s First Year by Sandy Jones (2007): Every nuance of the first 12 years is covered from diapering to finance. Contains a monthly development timetable for physical and emotional development, survival strategies, soothing techniques, first aid, accident prevention tips, baby gear guide, parenting dictionary and helpful internet sites.

I Can't Talk Yet, but When I Do... by Julie Markes (2003): Everyone knows babies can't talk, but if they could....

Let's Talk About Having a New Brother or Sister by Diana Star Helmer (1999): Helps the first-born child understand and deal with what happens when a new baby becomes part of the family.

Love That Baby! A Book About Babies for New Big Brothers, Sisters, Cousins and Friends by Kathryn Lasky (2004): Describes how babies look, eat, talk, play, sleep and more.

The New Baby by Anne Civardi (2000): The Bunn family gets a new baby and learns how to take care of it.

The New Baby at Your House by Joanna Cole (1998): Describes the activities and changes involved in having a new baby in the house and the feelings experienced by the older brothers and sisters.

Now I'm Big by Margaret Miller (1996): Several children reflect on the things they did as babies as opposed to the things they are able to do now that they are a little older and bigger.

Our New Baby by Wendy Cheyette Lewison (1996): Pictures and brief text describe what it's like to have a new baby in the family.

What Baby Needs by William Sears and Martha Sears with Christie Watts Kelly (2000): Emphasizes how siblings can be helpers to both baby and parents.

Getting Along

Few experiences are as momentous in the life of a young child as a new sibling. These stories explore the feelings a child might have and the ways that the new sibling bonds are formed.

A Baby for Grace by Ian Whybrow (1998): When her parents bring home their new baby, Grace must adjust to a new presence in the household.

Baby in the House by David F. Marx (2000): Eve is not sure how she feels when a new baby arrives in the house, but she soon learns that being a sister can be fun.

Bad Baby by Ross MacDonald (2005): Jack finds his life turned upside down by the arrival of a very big, and very naughty, baby sister.

Bad Baby Brother by Martha Weston (1997): Four-year-old Tessa is impatient with her new baby brother, William.

Bear and Roly-Poly by Elizabeth Winthrop (1996): Bear is happily surprised to learn that Roly-Poly, his baby sister, likes to have him give her attention and even sing her to sleep.

The Berenstain Bears and Baby Makes Five by Stan and Jan Berenstain (2000): Sister Bear is upset by all the attention her new baby sister is receiving.

The Best Worst Brother by Stephanie Stuve-Bodeen (2005): A story about an older sister named Emma who tries to be patient while teaching three-year-old Isaac, who has Down syndrome, how to communicate using sign language. Includes questions and answers about sign language.

Dancing by Denys Cazet (1995): Alex's father sings a song to reassure him that he is still loved, even though there is a new baby in the family.

Darcy and Gran Don't Like Babies by Jane Cutler (1993): Darcy and Gran are not happy about the idea of a new baby coming, but they change their minds after the birth.

Dear Baby: Letters From Your Big Brother by Sarah Sullivan (2005): Starting before she is even born, Mike writes letters to his baby sister telling her what it is like to be her older brother.

Ellen and Penguin and the New Baby by Clara Vulliamy (1996): Ellen and her stuffed toy, Penguin, have difficulty adjusting to a new baby brother.

Geraldine's Baby Brother by Holly Keller (1994): Geraldine resents all the attention her baby brother gets, until she spends some time with him.

Goldie Is Mad by Margie Palatini (2001): A little girl is very upset when her baby brother drools on her doll, but during a time-out, she thinks of some of the things she likes about her brother.

Good as Goldie by Margie Palatini (2000): Goldie the big sister lists all the things that she can do that Nicholas her baby brother cannot.

Hi, New Baby! by Robie H. Harris (2000): A father recalls his young daughter's first reactions to her new baby brother.

I Used to Be the Baby by Robin Ballard (2002): A young boy helps his mother take care of his baby brother.

I Was Born to Be a Sister by Dia L. Michels (2001): A girl who felt born to be a sister wants to send her baby brother back after he screams during her birthday party, knocks down her cheese tower, and otherwise behaves like a baby.

I'd Rather Have an Iguana by Heidi Stetson Mario (1999): When her mom brings home a new baby, a little girl thinks she would rather have an iguana until she starts to get to know her baby brother.

I'm a Big Brother by Joanna Cole (1997): A child eagerly welcomes home his new baby brother.

I'm a Big Sister by Joanna Cole (1997): A sister enumerates the joys of welcoming a new baby to the family and the advantages of already being "big."

Mommy's Lap by Ruth Horowitz (1993): To Sophie's distress, her quiet times on Mommy's lap are disrupted by the new baby growing inside Mommy, but once the baby arrives there is room for Sophie on Mommy's lap again.

My Big Brother by Valerie Fisher (2002): This book depicts a big brother from the baby brother’s point of view.

One Round Moon and a Star for Me by Ingrid Mennen (1994): A young boy of rural Lesotho needs reassurance that his father is still his papa, too, when a new baby is born into the family.

Our New Baby by Sue Kueffner (1999): A sister initially resents but then comes to love her new baby brother.

Shirley's Wonderful Baby by Valiska Gregory (2002): Shirley doesn't share her family's sentiment that their new baby is wonderful until Ms. Mump, the babysitter, comes to visit.

Silly Sally by Betsy Franco (2002): A little boy finds different ways to make his baby sister smile.

Something Special by Nicola Moon (1997): Charlie can't find anything to take to school to show for "special" day, until he remembers that he does have a new baby sister.

Sophie and the New Baby by Laurence Anholt (2000): Sophie waits through the seasons of the year for her sibling to be born and then experiences mixed feelings about the new baby.

Waiting for the Sun by Alison Lohans (2001): As she waits for the birth of the baby, Molly plans all the things she'll share with her new brother.

Will You Mind the Baby, Davy? by Brigitte Weninger (1997): Davy, formerly the youngest in the Rabbit family, is not happy about the arrival of a new baby, but he is surprised at what happens when he holds her for the first time.

Videos

A New Baby in My House (1994, Videocassette): Snuffy's little sister broke his favorite toy and to make him feel better, Mrs. Snuffleupagus reads her children a fairy tale about a little prince who feels neglected by everyone in the royal castle when his new baby sister arrives.

Blue's Clues: Blue's Big News the Baby's Here (2001, Videocassette): Mr. Salt and Mrs. Pepper are expecting a baby. Blue shows appreciation for them during a special holiday "Salt and Pepper day." Then it's off to the hospital to deliver the baby. Blue and friends learn more about babies at the baby hospital, all the while helping Paprika prepare for her role as the big sister. Promotes: appreciating friends and family; helping, kindness and generosity; perspective taking; coping strategies; patience/anticipation; prediction.

Caillou: Big Brother Caillou (2003, Videocassette): Even though Caillou's a little boy, he's got a big job: he's Rosie's big brother! This video helps kids learn the importance of sharing and cooperating, and the fun and responsibilities of sibling relationships.

Sesame Street: Three Bears and a New Baby (2003, DVD and Videocassette): Notes from the video package, "Everyone knows the story of The Three bears, so what happens when Mama, Papa, and Baby Bear are expecting a new cub in the family? The three bears become four! And Baby Bear is having a 'wee' bit of trouble adjusting to the new arrival. But with the help of his friends Gina, Big Bird and Telly, he is able to become an expert big brother, and even has fun teaching his baby sister everything he knows."

Wimzie's House: Babies Have It Made (1999, Videocassette): In "Babies Have It Made," Wimzie learns how great it is to be the age she is. In "Bo Goes Bonkers," the kids learn the importance of watching a younger sibling, even though there might be surprises hiding around every corner!

Books for Parents

These items, from our parenting collection, offer information and learning tools to help ease the introduction of the new baby to the family.

The Baffled Parent's Guide to Sibling Rivalry by Marian Edelman Borden (2003): This guide provides parents with quick, sound advice on how to keep relative peace in the family.

Beyond Sibling Rivalry: How to Help Your Children Become Cooperative, Caring, and Compassionate by Peter Goldenthal (1999): Goldenthal, a practicing psychologist specializing in sibling and family relationships, provides thoughtful and informative theory and practice for easing this challenging element of family life.

Kid's Book to Welcome a New Baby: Fun for a Big Brother or Big Sister by Barbara J. Collman (1999): Provides activities for children to teach them how to interact with a baby brother or sister.

The New Baby by Fred Rogers (1985): Explains the needs of toddlers faced with a new baby in the family and some of the changes and disruptions the baby can cause in the life of the older brother or sister.

A New Baby at Koko Bear's House by Vicki Lansky (1990): A practical parenting read-together book.

Oh, Baby!: A Guide for Big Brothers and Big Sisters, Plus Those Baby Blues, A Guide for Parents of New Siblings (1994, Videocassette): With the help of his friends, Gus finds out that babies aren't as bad as he thought. Those baby blues offers advice for parents of new siblings from Dr. Brenda Wade and Dr. Glen Aylward.

Understanding Sibling Rivalry: The Brazelton Way by T. Berry Brazelton and Joshua D. Sparrow (2005): A succinct, practical guide that covers both the short term and long term issues of a new sibling.

Websites

New Baby Sibling: This site from the University of Michigan Health System answers many questions you might have and offers lists of resources.

Parent.com Articles About Sibling Rivalry: Here is a list of articles from parent.com concerned with sibling rivalry that will help deal with all aspects and stages for all ages.

Preparing Siblings for a New Baby: Practical advice from Drgreene.com.

Preparing Your Child for a New Sibling: In-depth article from KidsHealth for Parents on how to prepare your child for the “big event.”

Siblings: Adjusting to New Baby: Sound advice on what to do when jealousy enters into the new sibling relationship, from Child & Family Canada.

Sibling Rivalry: Advice from noted pediatrician, Dr. Sears. Includes 20 tips to stop quibbling siblings and 11 smooth-entry tips for introducing a new baby.

Websites for Supervised Play: The following websites contain suggestions for learning games for babies. They are a wealth of ideas for games you can teach your older child to play with the baby.

• Games to Play With Your Baby (BabyCenter);
• Games to Play With Your Baby (University of Minnesota Extension Service);
• Play and Learn Family Activities (Fisher-Price).