So we're expecting in May and haven't told my LO about the news yet. Just wondering when and how to tell him as he is only 25 months now so I don't know how much he understands. Do I wait till I have a substantial belly?
Anyone have success telling/explaining about new baby to toddlers? Tips?
nectarine / 2641 posts
I'm due in June and LO is just 2. For now, I'm mostly talking about babies and pregnancies in the abstract (pointing them out, talking about what babies do, talking about a friend with a baby brother, etc.) When I get a belly, I'll do more. I also created an awesome personalized book on twigtale.com with pictures of him and info about a new baby. I think it will help a lot.
ETA: Link: http://www.twigtale.com/books/becoming-a-big-sister
blogger / coconut / 8306 posts
Chloe was 26 months when we got pregnant, and we pretty much told her right away. She would jump on us, flop on my belly, climb into our bed and climb over me, etc.
We told her she couldn't climb on mommy like that anymore because there was a baby in my belly. She squealed and said, "a baby?! Baby Charlotte?!" and that was that.
Then the baby became a normal part of our conversation around the house, and she understood what was going on more and more as time went on.
She's 3 now, and our youngest is 3 months. Chloe says things like, "mommy, the baby came out of your belly!" so I know she remembers and gets it!
pineapple / 12566 posts
DS was maybe 28 months when we told him. I was probably 12 weeks. We just told him we were going to have a baby sister or brother and that the baby was in mama's tummy. At first he thought I ate a baby, and that's how it got in there. Then, he said we could use scissors to take it out! I told him the doctor would take it out, and he said the the doctor could use scissors! It was really cute. As time went on we talked about it more, and told him the gender when we found out and talked about his baby sister. We would also look at babies when we got the chance. Also, we had a (French) book about a character he knows that had a baby sister, it was really well done and I think he could relate somewhat and understand in simple terms.
grapefruit / 4663 posts
I'm due in May as well and my son is only 14 months, we just mention the baby and he's gotten big into everyone's belly so we tickle him and let him tickle my DH but when he tries to tickle me say give the baby kisses. He already seems to understand that something has changed. We also got him a baby doll for Christmas
hostess / cantaloupe / 6486 posts
LO knows what a baby is....we told her right away. She's 15 months & I'm 20 weeks. Anytime I say baby she wants me to lift my shirt so she can give her baby hugs & kisses. She also knows what a baby on the outside looks like. I feel that's the best I can hope for at this age.
blogger / pomegranate / 3201 posts
We have been talking about it with Liam since I was 8 weeks or so. We talk about how there's a baby in my belly and he's going to be a big brother. He gets it in an abstract way, but I don't think he can possible understand how his life is about to change. He's a little over 2.5 now.
nectarine / 2641 posts
I did want to note that I told my son (around 19 months at the time) with my m/c and really regretted it. He's too young to really understand, but he would still kiss my belly or talk about baby after the m/c, and it made it so much harder on me. Obviously this isn't relevant for OP, but in case anyone is considering telling earlier, it's something to consider.
pear / 1849 posts
I'm also due in May and my son is 26 months. We told him pretty early on and while I'm sure he doesn't really "get it," he does know there's a baby in mommy's belly. He loves to lift up my shirt, say "Hi baby!" and kiss my belly. He's also been great about understanding that he needs to be more gentle with mommy and that he needs to be a big boy and climb the stairs himself, etc. (He's 35lbs and just too much for me to carry!) We have one book but plan to get him some more for Christmas. His teacher mentioned to me that ever since we got pregnant, he's been much more interested in the baby dolls at school and loves to look in on the infant room.
cherry / 147 posts
@Jess1483: Good idea about creating something personalized he can relate to. I will have to think about it.
@Mrs. Jump Rope: That's a good point. He always like to jump on us and that is one of the reasons why I think I should tell him soon! We've been telling him about being gentle with our cat, so hopefully that will be a warm-up!
@lamariniere: That is pretty cute reaction! So interesting to see them processing information and responding like that.
I was thinking about using dolls too. Probably a good approach is to start simple and see how it goes!
wonderful grape / 20453 posts
E's only 20 months but i don't think she knows what's going on.....not sure if she will by May, when she's 25 months.
honeydew / 7622 posts
Soooo the most interesting thing happened to me this weekend. I was in California for the holiday and I'm pretty sure my sister does not talk about me that much to my nephews. We FaceTime and see them a few times a year. Well they were telling my 18 month old nephew there is a baby in my belly. He completely unprompted pulled up my shirt and kissed my belly. Little dude has a pretty good idea about what is going on. I'm visibly showing at 26 weeks though so I'm sure that made a differnce. It may be normal for hm to kiss babies outside of the belly, but he made the association pretty quick considering he barely talks.
GOLD / wonderful olive / 19030 posts
LO is 26 months now and has known almost from the beginning that "mommy had a baby in her tummy so you have to be careful" and she rubs my tummy and talks to baby sister and gives her kisses (I'm almost 24 weeks.) We were worried at first she would "spill the beans" but she talked about babies all the time before we were pregnant so we had a plan that she was talking about the daycare moms who had babies in their tummies (but luckily she never said anything so it was a mute point!)
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