What are some suggestions for teaching my 13 month old to be nice to his new baby brother?

Question

My baby was born on Wednesday and we brought him home on Friday.  Our older two boys ages 3 1/2 and 13 months stayed with their grandparents in a hotel until yesterday.  Now they are home and really excited about their brother.  However, they really aren't sure what to do with him.  The oldest knows a little better and is a lot better with him but our little one is a little extra rough. I am working on showing him nice touches but I was wondering if anyone else had a good suggestion that worked with their older baby to ease the stress over it.  Currently he tries to pat the baby everywhere, but because he's so big it comes out more of a hit than a pat. I put my hand on his and say gentle or soft and help him rub the baby instead of pat.

rcullen1980 · Accepted Answer

You are doing the right thing. Just continually show him how to touch gently. There really isn't anything else you can do. He has to figure out his own strength and how to control it.

Dr. PHILlis (in training) · Answer

You have to consider something: a child that age is still young, a baby himself. He's just getting to feel his way around the world and his environment and now there's another baby in the mix. Children are very territorial and he's in the middle. He's not gonna be so cooperative yet, but give him attention and love him just as much so he won't feel left out.

Anonymous · Answer

You could try conditioning, every time he's rough with baby you can pop him on the back of the head. Eventually he will learn not to be rough with baby or he going to get popped on the head. This is a serious response that works with dogs lol.

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What are some suggestions for teaching my 13 month old to be nice to his new baby brother?

3 Answers