Toddlers can very easily become jealous of other kids, especially siblings. This is true especially with siblings who are younger than they are. The main reason they become jealous is that they are no longer the center of a parent’s attention. The younger sibling usually requires much more parental attention, and your toddler often feels left out. As a result, your toddler can throw temper tantrums in an effort to get the attention back on them. While it is good to spend quality time with your toddler without the younger sibling, they don’t always remember that it is no longer their time and don’t always understand baby time. But there are a couple of ways you can try to get to alleviate some of this jealousy.
The first thing you can try is to get the toddler involved in their young sibling’s care. You can do this with a baby doll and a few props such as outgrown or homemade diapers and a bottle. When the baby needs changing, encourage your toddler to change their baby doll’s diaper. When baby needs a bottle, encourage your toddler to feed their baby doll. This is a way to get them involved and make them feel that they are in part of taking care of the baby.
If there is no real interest in taking care of a baby doll, then you can choose some very special toys for them to play with while the baby is being tended to. These toys should be kept in a special box and brought out when baby needs to be changed or fed. This can make your toddler feel like they are getting something special while the baby gets your attention.
This is also a good time to get the other parent involved. They can spend time with your toddler while you are with the baby. This way they will feel like they are still getting the attention. Keep them in the same room so that they also get used to the movements of you and their sibling. If the other parent is not available, a temporary babysitter will work just as well for the transition period.
Jealousy in toddlers with younger siblings is normal. It is also a problem that is not going to be solved in one sitting. The important thing is to try to associate positive things with the baby. Whether it is introducing special toys or asking them to help, your toddler still wants to feel special even if baby is getting the majority of the attention.