•    Cultivate the relationship between your older child and your husband throughout the pregnancy. When the new baby arrives and you get busy with caring for it, the older child can spend time with dad and not feel left out.
 
•    Encourage your older child’s connection to the baby by taking them with you to the doctor to hear the baby's heartbeat,  letting them feel the baby when it kicks, pondering over potential baby names together ,  packing a bag for the hospital together etc..

•    Get any big changes out of the way well in advance of the birth, such as room changes, weaning and toilet training. Your child needs time to make these new routines into habits without associating them with the baby.

•    Keep your relationship with your older child as smooth and affectionate as possible with minimum conflicts. They need to be secure in your love to handle the arrival of a sibling.

•    Make sure your child understands that babies cry a lot at first and aren't ready to play for a long time, but they will always look up to their older siblings and crave for their attention and care.

•    Talk to your child about your need to stay in the hospital during child birth. Make sure that they get used to spending the nights with someone else like the grandparents.

•    Make them visit you and the new baby, as quickly as possible, before other visitors. Make sure you express your joy at seeing them rather than being preoccupied with the new baby. Help them to hold the baby and allow them to snuggle the new sibling. It will instantly create a bond between them.

•    You can ask family members beforehand, to give "big brother or sister" presents instead of "new baby" presents. Your new baby won't mind wearing hand me downs, and it will help your oldest to feel like there's indeed something to celebrate. And be sure there's a special gift from the new baby to the older sib!