In order to understand how brothers and sisters get along with one another, it is important to understand what drives that interaction. The competition this generates can be positively channeled as long as it is understood. In addition, according to one pediatric expert, Dr. Barton Schmitt, skills which require interaction with others, such as sharing, giving and taking, and standing up for one's rights, offer a potentially positive side of sibling rivalry. Sibling rivalry often begins before a new baby is born. It usually starts between the age of one and five years.
Some parents allow the older child to feel the new baby in a mother's abdomen.
Many older siblings will regress in some of their behavior when the new baby arrives. An example is a child who previously was toilet-trained now soils or wets themselves during the day. In anticipation of this, children should be rewarded for mature behavior before the new arrival. The time around when a new baby is due is not the best time to teach a new skill like toilet training or a new daycare program - if possible, these should be put off until after the baby is born. Our hospital allows older children to visit newborns.