Health Tip: Preventing Sibling Rivalry

(HealthDay News) -- A new baby is unlikely to be top of an older sibling''s wish list, especially if he or she has been an only child for a while.

You can help your older children adjust to having a new baby in the house by doing little things that will make them feel loved and wanted. The State of Oklahoma Health Department offers these suggestions:

• When friends and family visit the new baby, ask them to visit with your older children first.
• In case visitors neglect to bring a small gift for your older children, keep aside a few surprises for them on such occasions.
• Provide older children with a "baby" of their own to care for.
• Resist giving older children attention for childish behaviors.
• Devote exclusive time to your older children when the baby is sleeping.
• Have older children offer the baby a pacifier or a wind-up lullaby toy, for example.

-- Felicity Stone

Last Updated: Sep. 4, 2005