The second time to bring home a newborn is a little different. With your first child, you are focused on figuring out how to take care of the baby. With your second child, you’re probably wondering how your older child will react to having a new sibling – and how you’re going to meet their needs.

Start by talking to your oldest child about the arrival of his or her new sibling. Explain in age-appropriate terms how the child is growing and ask him or her to help you set up the child’s nursery.

Sign up for a sibling hospital class for kids and parents to learn together what it’s like to be a new sibling. Explain to the older child that the baby will eat, sleep and cry most of the time. The kid will not immediately become a playmate.