Safe Siblings: Introducing Baby To Older Children

When your first child became a climbing, curious toddler, you did everything to turn your house into a safe haven. Now, gates are latched, outlets plugged and the crystal is out of reach. After all that effort, your next baby must be safe at home, right?

Not necessarily.

An older sibling, especially a toddler, jealous of the time and attention parents give a new baby, may show her emotions by hitting, pushing or biting the baby. "Young children have a hard time expressing their feelings verbally, and tend to act them out," says Dr. Karen Gouze, PhD, director of training in psychology at Children's Memorial Hospital in Chicago.