how to handle a toddler with newborn

kiwi

Sun, Dec 19 2010, 7:15 am

how do I handle it?
my toddler is jealous at my newborn and doesnt stop hitting.. I left my newborn in the carriage asleep and all of a sudden I hear screaming... saw my toddlers hands in the baby's carriage.. doing who knows what...
the baby face was scratched up... shud I just go with handcuffs?

mom/2

Sun, Dec 19 2010, 7:24 am

I find that yelling at that all the time not to touch, go near child only gets them upset and makes them want to do just that (as is typical for a child). When I talk positively "(child) only makes nice or kisses baby"... they'll stop hitting and do just that. works every time. They get aggravated that they're not allowed to do "anything".... always being yelled at for whatever they're doing, so they do it more to get attention. If you praise them for only doing the right things all the time, and give them attention for it they'll want to do it. (not that they won't do it again, kids will always be kids....)

Isramom8

Sun, Dec 19 2010, 7:31 am

Demonstrate over and over how to touch the baby gently by holding his hand and moving it appropriately. And lock your baby in the bathroom if you have to keep him safe.

SingALong

Sun, Dec 19 2010, 1:49 pm

DD #2 was born when DD #1 was about 2 1/2. people advise dme to include her in everything!!! from feeding, to changing diapers, to baths. I always called her to join me. I had a stool byt he changing table and bathroom while we did stuff "together" I would hold the baby securely in teh bath while she wiped baby's legs with a wash cloth. or by diaper time, she would hand me the fresh wipe or sprinkle baby powder. during nursing, we all sat on the couch together to read a few books.

I found that the more I included her, the less aggressive she was to the baby. ( also after a month or too being a helper wasn't so much fun, and she preferred playing with her toys and leaving me and baby alone!)

she did have her moments when she tried to hurt my newborn, I think its typical behavior for a toddler. I did try to kep the baby in a room that older DD didn't usually go into, I.e. she was in teh playroom while baby was in carriage in living room

Hashemlovesme

Wed, Dec 22 2010, 2:01 pm

I agree w/ mom/2

also I tell my bby (2 yrs younger than dd) things like "we don't hit" or "that's dd's blanket" that way dd doesn't feel like she's the only one being told off all the time.