Second child syndrome

Baby #2 is 3 months old and my first born who is 2.7years treats him badly. I’ve tried everything from showering her with hugs and kisses, telling her how much we love her, giving her gifts from the baby, undivided attention, reading books on big sister from the start of the pregnancy to showing her how to love the baby. My husband and I kiss her together every morning before he leaves for work.

She sends stuff behind him when he’s in his crib and constantly hits him on his head every chance she gets. Like for instance we were cuddling, she at my side and baby 2 in my arms, out of the blue she bites the baby on his arm. Or we would be on the play mat with the baby doing tummy time and she would suddenly rush to him to kick or hit him. We’ve noticed that the baby begins to cry hysterically once he hears her voice.

One night I asked her what makes her sad and she said the baby, asked how does baby make you sad, she took a long pause before answering and said when he cries but I know that’s not what she really wanted to say. She didn’t know how to express her jealousy. She also says constantly “I want my mom” even if I’m right next to her of holding her. People tell me it’s just a phase of jealousy and seeking attention but it’s breaking my heart. She was such a sweet and adorable two year old before baby. At times it makes me regret having a second child so close in age.