Ask Dr. Mona

It’s so common for toddlers to feel jealous when a new baby arrives, even when parents do all the prep work. A 3-year-old’s world changes in a big way when they suddenly have to share your time and attention. What feels like jealousy is really your child saying, “I miss having you all to myself.”

This phase is temporary, but it’s also an important chance to strengthen connection and trust. Start by acknowledging your child’s feelings out loud:

“You wish I could play with you right now. It’s hard waiting when I’m feeding the baby.”

Naming the feeling helps your toddler feel seen and understood, which often softens those big reactions.

Involve your 3-year-old in small, age-appropriate ways, picking the baby’s outfit, singing a song, or grabbing a diaper. When you frame it as “You’re such a caring big brother,” it helps him feel proud of his role instead of threatened by it. While you’re caring for the newborn, narrate what’s happening: “Your sister loves when you talk to her!” so your older child still feels included, even when your hands are full.

And as much as possible, protect a few short bursts of one-on-one time each day. Even 10 minutes before bed or while the baby naps makes a difference. During that time, let him lead the play and give him your full attention. It’s less about how long you spend and more about how connected he feels in those moments.

With time, this jealousy fades as he learns that your love didn’t shrink…it expanded. By naming emotions, celebrating his role, and carving out small but consistent moments together, you’re laying the groundwork for a strong sibling bond that will last well beyond the baby stage.

For more on navigating sibling jealousy, check out this PedsDocTalk Newsletter on why jealousy happens, how to build connection, and scripts for the most common tricky moments.

Every parent who’s had a child start daycare or preschool knows this feeling. It can seem like the minute they get over one bug, another one rolls in.

When babies are born, they carry some temporary immunity from their mom, but by around 6 months, that protection fades and they have to start building their own immune system. Every new environment, like daycare, preschool, or playgroups, introduces a whole new lineup of germs their body hasn’t met yet.

By the numbers, toddlers and preschoolers can catch about 7–8 colds a year, sometimes back-to-back. That’s because there are more than 200 cold viruses out there! Getting over one doesn’t protect them from the rest. And when their immune system is already busy recovering, it’s easier to catch another virus in the mix.

From fall through early spring, we’re also indoors more, where dry air and close contact make it easier for germs to spread. So while it feels endless, it’s really a season of exposure that strengthens your child’s immune system over time.

The good news? It doesn’t stay this way. As your child’s immune system matures, those frequent illnesses space out. And if you’re ever unsure whether it’s still within the normal range, it’s always okay to check in with your pediatrician.

It’s tiring, but every sniffle and cough is your child’s immune system learning.

For more reassurance, listen to the PedsDocTalk podcast episode: Why Is My Kid ALWAYS Sick (and When to Be Concerned). It breaks down why kids catch so many viruses, when to call your pediatrician, and offers a helpful reframe for this tough season.

And if it feels like someone in your home is always sick, check out this PedsDocTalk Newsletter, which rounds up all the sick-day resources in one place, from fevers and ear infections to coughs and colds.

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Dr. Mona will answer these questions in a future Sunday Morning Q&A email. Chances are if you have a parenting concern or question, another parent can relate. So let's figure this out together!