It’s a big adjustment when older siblings welcome a new baby into the family.

So the Salem Health Community Health Education Center is re-launching a class to help create a smooth transition for families.

Health Educator Alyssa Gaiser will bring the class back to the Salem Public Library this August for the first time since the pandemic. Parents and soon-to-be siblings attend together.

A welcoming environment for tough conversations

The goal is to treat the class like a story time. Siblings will learn how they can be safe around the baby and how they can help the parents, Gaiser said.

It will also include activities, like crafts and a birthday card for the new baby.

Gaiser said she starts the class by reading stories to facilitate tough conversations.

“All the kids know is having their parents to themselves. It’s a big transition for the parents and the child,” she said.

Creating a plan 

The health educator said to make that transition easier, it’s important to have a plan.

She recommends thinking ahead about how older siblings can be helpers at home, and encouraging involvement.

“Maybe it’s throwing the diapers in the garbage,” Gaiser said. “A good one I always like to use, even with my own son, is he fills the changing table with the diapers.”

Gaiser said making sure older siblings have connections with the baby is important as well.

“Sometimes big siblings like to read to the babies or sing to the babies or find a way to play to interact, make them laugh, make them smile,” she said.

Safety tips

The community classes also cover safety tips, such as why toddlers can’t share snacks with babies.

Gaiser lets toddlers know that while they may enjoy sleeping with a stuffed animal at night, a new baby does not.

At the end of the class, books will be available as another resource to prepare siblings. If families don’t already have library cards, this can be an opportunity to sign up.

Gaiser notes that challenges are inevitable when growing your family, but routines, consistency and communication are key during these changes. How and what those conversations look like can make the biggest difference.

How to sign up

This class is from 10:30 to 11:15 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 22 at the Salem Public Library, 585 Liberty St. SE in Salem.

Interested in signing up? Click here to register and learn more.