Having an older child and a baby can be a lot of fun, but it's important to keep everyone safe. Here are some friendly tips to help.
Don't rely on your older child. Only adults should take care of babies under six months old [1]. While older kids love to help, they aren’t quite ready for big responsibilities. Kids around twelve to fourteen can start looking after younger siblings more independently [1].
Discuss the rules. If your older child understands "yes" and "no," talk to them about what they can and can’t do. Be specific, like:
No giving food or medicine to the baby.
No giving the baby toys without asking.
No picking up the baby if an adult isn’t nearby.
Watch the baby’s sleep space. Older kids love putting toys in the baby’s crib. While it’s cute, it’s not always safe. Soft toys can be a suffocation hazard [2]. Keep the crib in your room and remove any extra items.
Don’t leave kids alone in the bathroom. Not even for a minute. Kids don’t know how to handle emergencies and shouldn’t be left to figure it out on their own [3].
Secure the house. Keep toys separate. Older kids’ toys often have small parts that can be a choking hazard for babies. The same goes for batteries and magnets, which are very dangerous if swallowed [4, 5].
Think about your older child’s safety too. After bathing your baby, always empty the bath [3]. Keep medicines and electrical appliances (like a breast pump and baby monitor) out of reach. Secure furniture like the crib and dressers to prevent them from tipping over.
Don't be too strict! Sometimes older siblings might push or hit the baby. Gently remind them that it’s not okay, but avoid harsh punishments. Being too strict can actually make siblings more aggressive [6].
