Gentle Tips To Support Your Toddler With The Adjustment Of A New Baby Arriving
- Nosey Toesie
- Aug 10
- 3 min read
Introducing a new little family member is always exciting, but if you already have a toddler, it can also stir up big feelings for them. Toddlers thrive on routine, attention, and knowing their place in your world, when introducing a new baby suddenly everything changes for everyone and this adjustment can be very overwhelming for toddlers. The good news? With a few mindful steps, you can help your toddler feel safe, seen, and still very dearly loved.
Here are some tips from us to you about what has worked when our toddlers were adjusting to becoming siblings, bearing in mind it can be very different for everyone, so what has worked for us may not work for you.
1. Talk About the Baby Before They Arrive
Start the conversations early. Use simple words to explain what's happening: “Soon we’ll have a new baby in our family. The baby will do lots of sleeping, crying, and need lots of cuddles - just like you did.”
Read picture books together about the new sibling on the way. Let them feel the baby move, come along to midwife appointments, help choose clothes, or “talk” to your bump. This creates a sense of involvement and anticipation, rather than confusion.
2. Give Them a Special “Helper” Role
Toddlers love to feel important. Give them age-appropriate 'jobs', like getting nappies, grabbing out baby wipes, singing to the baby, or patting them gently. Let them know, “The baby is so lucky to have a big brother/sister like you!”
3. Create One-on-One Time - Even if It’s 10 Minutes
It doesn’t have to be long - just intentional. Even 10 minutes a day of uninterrupted play or snuggles makes a huge difference. Use that time to get on their level, follow their lead, and remind them that they’re still your baby too. If both are crying, and this will happen and can feel very overwhelming, attend to the toddler first (providing baby is safe), they will remember feeling cared for and supported and then soothe your baby.
4. Stick to Routines Where You Can
Familiar rhythms provide a sense of safety. Keep bedtime routines, storytime, mealtimes, and favourite rituals the same as much as possible. It can feel like a lot to achieve and stick to but it will help your toddler remain more settled if their routines are disrupted as little as possible.
5. Name Their Feelings Without Judgment
Your toddler might act out, regress, or cry more, this is completely normal. Instead of trying to fix it, help them label their feelings: “I can see you’re feeling sad/angry that I’m feeding the baby because you want to show me something. It’s okay to feel that way.” Then gently redirect with love and connection.
6. Involve Sensory Play to Calm & Connect
Sensory play is magic for toddlers in times of big change. It offers calm, connection, and focus. While you’re feeding the baby or settling them, set up simple activities like:
A sensory bin with rice or oats, scoops and toy animals
Playdough
A wooden instrument set for musical play
Lego or stacking blocks
A sensory play mat as a soft zone for floor play with some of their favourite books they like to read
Setting them up with an activity helps regulate emotions and gives them something grounding to return to and do while you are needing to attend to your little one.
7. Remind Them They’re Still So Loved
Say it out loud often: “You’re so special to me”, “I love being your mum", "You make me very happy", "I love you so much"
Little hearts need big reassurances.
Final Thoughts:
Adjusting to life with a newborn and a toddler isn’t easy, for us there were lots of tears, moments of doubt and feeling like a failure - but it can be beautiful. With patience, connection, time, and a few creative tools your toddler can thrive alongside their new awaited sibling.
Need support during this transition? Don't be afraid to ask family and friends for support it is a huge change when you introduce a new member into your family. It really does take a village.
Using some great play resources as mentioned above can be great for keeping your toddler busy while you are meeting your newborns needs.
Explore our BumbleBeats - Wooden Instrument Set, a great way for toddlers to keep busy by making music and discovering rhythm and sounds.
Much love Penny & Nicole
Nosey Toesie

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