Changing baby name older sibs reaction

[Threelittlemonkeyss]

Hi

We named our baby girl (8 weeks old) something that then didn’t feel right for a few reasons. So we have told other kids today we are changing her name from x to y (both straightforward normal names). Dd (6) was quite silent when we told her but she copied me and said hello baby y and all seemed ok but now she has said she feels sad about it (understandably) and keeps calling her the old name which I’ve said she is more than welcome to do. I totally understand she would have this reaction I am just looking for reassurance from anyone whose been in a similar position that this will pass, she will get used to the new name and I’m not scaring her!! One complication is that she knows a girl with the same name so was saying but that’s my friends name (it’s a common name so not an issue to be duplicating it iyswim). I explained the reasons for changing to her but just wonder if there is anything helpful I can say to her to help her through this time.

Thanks

You are over thinking this massively.

You only told her today. Feeling a bit sad about a change is a normal emotion that will pass.

You're not scarring anybody for life and there's nothing special to do to "help her through this time", it's just a name change . Of course it will feel a bit weird at first, she will get used to it.

Take a breath.

Thanks lego - you’re right! I think it’s all been a bit overwhelming in the postnatal period not having much sleep etc.

Having a big breath (-;

To help with the transition you can call her a double barrelled name for a bit so say she is now Hannah and before she was Marie call her Hannah-Marie for a few days then drop the Marie.