A nurse is caring for a client who is 48 hours postpartum. The client expresses distress about her older children's acceptance of the new baby. Which of the following statements should the nurse make?

• A. Encourage the older children to help feed the baby.
• B. Present the older children with a small gift and say it is from the baby.
• C. Invite the older children to help with diaper changes.
• D. Explain that siblings must wait several weeks to interact with the baby.

Answer: (B)

Helping families adjust after a new baby means fostering the older child’s sense of belonging and involvement. Presenting the older children with a small gift and saying it is from the baby gives them a concrete, positive role in the newborn’s life and signals that they are valued members of the family. This simple, symbolic gesture helps reduce feelings of jealousy and promotes early bonding between siblings, which is important for family harmony and the newborn’s social environment.

Encouraging the older children to help feed the baby can be unsafe or inappropriate for the infant’s immediate needs, since feeding requires careful supervision and specialist instructions. Inviting the older children to help with diaper changes is a potential form of involvement, but it doesn’t directly address the emotional need for acceptance and inclusion in the family system. Explaining that siblings must wait to interact delays bonding and can heighten distress.