There are many ways you can prepare your firstborn for the arrival of his little brother or sister, such as:

• Reinforcing his new role as big brother by referring to your baby as "his little brother or sister" instead of "the new baby" or "mommy's baby".
• Involving her in the preparation of baby's arrival by letting her help choose the baby's name and coming home outfit, helping to decorate the nursery, and helping pack mom's suitcase for the hospital.
• Telling him about his first days as a newborn. Talk about who first visited him in the hospital, gifts he received, how mom and dad cared for him.
• Looking through photo albums of her as a baby. Show pictures of her sleeping, mom feeding her, dad playing with her.
• Letting him tag along on prenatal visits so he can hear the baby's heartbeat or see images of the baby during the ultrasound.

While mom and dad are at the hospital, be sure to keep in touch with your child as much as you can. It will reassure him that everything is okay and that you will be coming home as soon as possible. When he visits the hospital be sure baby is in a bassinet so that mom's hands are free to give him a big hug. Let him a wear a nametag while there that says, "Hi, I'm the big brother." Take a Polaroid or digital picture of him holding the baby in the hospital to show his friends at playgroup or school.

Once baby comes home, it is important to show your older child she holds just as special a place in your heart as her little brother or sister. You and your spouse can do this by:

• Giving her as much love and attention as possible. Sing songs to her while changing baby's diaper, tell her stories while feeding baby, play games while baby is sleeping.
• Making or buying a special gift from baby to your older child and letting her unwrap it when baby comes home.
• Placing a picture of both your baby and your older child by your bedside.
• Creating a special place in your house that is for your older child only. Respect this place by making baby stay clear of that area.
• Giving your child love whenever you notice signs of jealousy or regressive behavior.