You lie on the sofa with the newborn in your arms while your three-year-old stands in the doorway, asking: "Mama, will you play with me?" Your heart aches – you want to do right by both of them, but the days in the postpartum period feel like a balancing act. The good news: With loving, simple rituals, you can lay the foundation for a deep sibling love that will accompany your children throughout their lives.

Watercolor illustration in soft pastel tones showing a cozy living room scene at golden hour, warm sunlight streaming through sheer curtains. A young mother sits cross-legged on a plush rug, cradling a newborn in a white muslin wrap. Her preschool daughter with curly brown hair leans gently against her shoulder, gazing curiously at the baby. Scattered around them are colorful picture books, a knitted blanket, and a wooden toy basket. The atmosphere is intimate, peaceful, and filled with tender connection. Loose brushstrokes, gentle color washes, dreamy and emotional mood.

Why Rituals in the Postpartum Period Are So Powerful

In the first weeks after birth, your older child experiences a world in upheaval. Suddenly, it has to share your attention, your arms, your time. Rituals provide security – they are like little anchors in the new daily life, showing your child: "You are just as important. You belong here." At the same time, your child learns to perceive the baby not as competition but as part of the family.

Studies show that shared, recurring moments strengthen emotional bonds between siblings and reduce jealousy. The beauty of it is that these rituals do not need to be elaborate – often it is the simplest gestures that have the deepest impact.

Daily Rituals: Small Moments with a Big Impact

Morning Family Cuddle Time

Start the day with a joint cuddle in the parents' bed or on the sofa. Everyone comes together – Mom, Dad, baby, and siblings. Your older child can snuggle up to you while the baby lies on your belly or sleeps next to you. These 10-15 minutes become memorable and signal: "We are a family. Everyone has their place here."

  • Let your older child gently stroke or kiss the baby
  • Share what you are all looking forward to today
  • Sing a song or make some playful noise – laughter connects

Reading with Mom (and Baby)

Establish a dedicated reading moment – for example, after lunch or before naptime. You sit comfortably, the baby is in a wrap or sleeps beside you, and your older child cuddles up next to you. Pick a favorite book together. Reading creates closeness, and your child experiences that even with a baby, there is time just for us.

Tip: Let your child "read" to the baby (even if they cannot read yet) – this strengthens their self-esteem and the bond with their sibling.

Watercolor scene in warm afternoon light, medium shot of a diverse family moment. An Asian mother in a soft gray cardigan sits in a rocking chair by a large window overlooking a garden. Her toddler son with black hair sits on her lap, holding a colorful picture book open, pretending to read aloud. A newborn baby sleeps peacefully in a woven bassinet beside them, wrapped in a cream blanket. Sunbeams filter through lace curtains, casting gentle shadows. Tender, nurturing atmosphere with delicate watercolor textures and muted earth tones.

The Magical Sibling Basket: Engaging with Heart

A sibling basket is a simple yet brilliant idea: You assemble a basket or box with special toys, craft materials, or activities that your older child can only access when you are nursing or changing the baby. This makes those moments special rather than frustrating.

What goes into the basket?

  • New markers, coloring books, or stickers
  • Small puzzles, magnet games, or stacking cups
  • Play dough, beading sets, or crafting paper
  • A special stuffed animal or puppet
  • A children's audio play or music that only plays during this time

Important: Change the contents regularly to maintain curiosity. Your child learns: "When Mom takes care of the baby, it's also my special time."

Encouraging Small Gifts Between Siblings

When visitors come, many bring a gift for the baby – and your older child looks on sadly. Turn the tables: Let your older child present a small gift to the baby (a hand-drawn picture, a rattle, a cuddly blanket). This reinforces the feeling of playing an important role.

Conversely, you can also prepare a "gift from the baby": A small book, a toy, or a sticker set that "the baby" gives to the big sibling. Your child experiences: "The baby likes me. We belong together."

Watercolor illustration with visible text, showing a close-up of a small wicker basket on a wooden floor. Inside the basket: a hand-drawn card with the text "From Baby to Big Sister" in playful handwriting, a small plush bunny, colorful stickers, and a wrapped cookie. Soft afternoon light, warm pastel colors (peach, mint, cream), gentle shadows. The scene feels intimate, thoughtful, and full of love. Delicate watercolor washes and loose, expressive brushstrokes.

Quality Time in the Living Room: The Family Room as the Heart of Home

The living room often becomes the center of your family life in the postpartum period. This is where most activities happen: nursing, cuddling, playing, resting. Use this space consciously to create closeness.

Ideas for shared living room rituals:

  • Build a cuddle corner together with pillows and blankets
  • Have a "family tea party" in the afternoon (with cookies and juice)
  • Spread out a play mat where everyone can spend time together
  • Listen to music and dance gently (even with the baby in your arms)
  • Look at photo albums and tell stories from when the older child was a baby

These moments create togetherness – without pressure, without perfection, just being together.

Monthly Memories: Making Sibling Love Visible

The first months fly by – and often we forget to capture the little milestones. Monthly memories help you consciously recognize and celebrate the development of the sibling relationship.

Here’s how:

  • Take a photo of the siblings together once a month (same spot, e.g., on the sofa)
  • Note in a small notebook: What did the older child do for the baby today? What was a special moment?
  • Create a "sibling treasure chest" with keepsakes: first joint drawing, a footprint, a letter
  • Celebrate small successes: "You gave the baby the rattle for the first time today!"

These rituals give your older child the feeling of being valued – and later you can reminisce together about these memories.

Watercolor illustration in soft, dreamy tones showing a top-down view of a wooden table. On the table: a handwritten journal with the title "Our Sibling Story", a Polaroid photo of two children, a small glass jar filled with tiny paper notes, a pressed flower, and a baby footprint card. Natural light from a nearby window casts gentle shadows. The scene feels nostalgic, heartfelt, and precious. Loose watercolor washes, delicate details, warm and emotional mood.

Your Heart is Big Enough – and So is Your Love

Perhaps you sometimes doubt whether you can really manage everything. Yet, these little loving rituals show your children: Love doesn't get divided – it multiplies. Every cuddle, every story read, every shared laugh is a building block for a sibling relationship that endures.

You don't have to be perfect. You just need to be there – with an open heart, with patience, and with the knowledge that these first weeks are the beginning of something wonderful. Your children may not remember every detail, but they will always remember how it felt: loved, seen, connected.

Watercolor illustration in warm golden hour light, wide shot of a cozy living room. A diverse family sits together on a large sofa: an African mother with braided hair holds a sleeping newborn, her young daughter with curly hair leans against her, and her toddler son sits on the floor with a picture book. Soft blankets, scattered toys, a warm lamp glowing in the background. The scene radiates peace, love, and togetherness. Gentle watercolor textures, soft focus, deeply emotional and heartwarming atmosphere.