How to do new sibling meetings after birth during Covid-19

Let's face it - COVID-19 has thrown a heck of a wrench into everyone's birth plans. The one thing I have heard on repeat from expectant mothers is their disappointment in the fact their older children won’t be able to meet their new baby in the hospital. And I completely understand. It’s heartbreaking.

But I want you to know...while it doesn't seem like it, it's actually a blessing in disguise!

Home meet & greets are a winner over the hospital for few of reasons, and you may even love your home meet & greet after you've experienced it.

Let me put my child psychology hat on for just a moment...(you know, the one I got from that ONE class I took back in college 😉) and I'll explain.

I've photographed a lot of post-birth hospital meet & greets over the years and I've observed many different reactions and behaviors from children. For the most part, children generally share similar behaviors upon arriving to your hospital room.

Here's three reasons why your home meet & greet for siblings is the real winner:

1.Hospitals are scary

We all know at least one adult who hates hospitals, right? While most children won't have the same understanding, they are quickly aware that this is a really big place filled with strangers, loud beeping noises, and other such in a place they have never been to.

It's overwhelming, to say the least.

Because of this, many children (even the outgoing ones) tend to be shy and a bit nervous at these meet & greets. While you have this idea in your head of how you want this to go, often it takes kids a minute (or 30) to come out of their shell and get comfortable.

Home, in contrast, is...Home! It is the place they feel most safe and most comfortable. It is their place. Even if you're bringing a new, strange baby into their space, older siblings are already at ease and familiar with their surroundings, and may actually focus more on the new baby than they would at the hospital.

Older sibling meetings after birth of newborn babies are often scary for small children. Coronavirus has canceled child visitors to hospitals for labor and delivery visits.

2. So many new things to explore

To touch a bit more on the unfamiliar surroundings...

Hospitals birth centers have A LOT of new things to explore. From the beeping noises to the buttons on your hospital bed, to closets and yoga balls in birth centers.

Often kids come in, take on look at mom and new baby, and quickly get distracted by all the things. (Like all the light switches on the walls). Seriously...you've never seen a kid so interested in inspecting a bathroom before as they do in your birth space.

Then they remember all the curious things they passed in the hallways and are tugging on dad to go for a walk and explore.

Home has lots of curious things, too, but far more familiar things. The new thing to explore is your new baby - so there will be a greater chance of your older children spending more time with your new baby than would otherwise happen at the hospital.

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3. You've been gone...and you're going to be gone longer

This may be the first time you've even been away from your little one for more than a few hours. That in itself can be a little bit daunting for your children. They will finally be reunited with you, only to leave you for another night away. This alone can be confusing to little ones, and a little heart breaking.

You are their person, their safest place. They're missing you.

With a home meet & greet, you're there! You are home to stay! All is right with their world again and everyone is where they are supposed to be. Your meet & greet will never end with tears or sadness simply because you get to stay right there with them.

*Expect a little clinginess from older siblings - they really missed you.

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But...you feel like that home setting won't be as special...am I right?

I got ya, mama! Here are a few simple ways to make that home meet & greet a little extra special

Have your older children decorate for a fabulous welcome.
Whether it be sidewalk chalk, a painted glass screen door, poster boards, or everyone's favorite streamers... Give kids the task to make it wonderful for your arrival. Not only will this get kids excited for yours and baby's arrival, it will give them something to pass the time as they wait. And you know how well kids like to wait...
Throw baby a birthday party for baby!
Complete with cake and presents. Often "the new baby" gives older siblings presents during their meet & greet to sweeten the moment. No reason why this can't continue at home. Plus, nothing is better than giving while receiving; older siblings can return the gift giving as well. And of course, don't forget to sing happy birthday!
Let them show the new baby their room and the house.
Its silly, but something so simple can give children a sense of ownership, control, and importance in a moment where the attention isn't normally on them.

I know all this COVID-19 stuff has really been a downer, and even though we know its for good reason, it still steels a little joy from your birth experience. You're entitled to have your feelings about it, don't forget that. This post is not meant to discredit them…but to help you find the silver lining and reach for a bit of the joy. My prayer for you during all of this is for good health and joy.