DD asking how babies get into tummies and come out again

[dilemma456]

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[LadyPenelope]

There's a book various people have recommended on here called "Mummy Laid an Egg" - Babette Cole I think. I think it's too graphic for a 2 - 3 year old though. In fact, even for my 7 year old I decided against it - it was the "positions" page that put me off! It's a funny book but more information that I wanted!

We have an Usbourne body parts books - last section is on babies - how they are made and how they grow etc. Would be good from approx your DD's age and my 7 year old reads it herself now.

At similar age of your DD, we focused more on how the baby grows in the tummy - starts as a tiny egg and grows into a baby. I told DD baby comes out of special hole called a vagina or birth canal or sometimes is cut out (she was ecs so seen scar etc.) Also said, you needed a grown up Mummy and a Daddy for the egg to grow. (because I thought she might worry it was going to happen to her.) Later, we introduced the fact that sperm and egg meet.

Interestingly, my friend with older kids says that even at 8 or 9 years old when it's introduced at school, they don't focus much on the mechanics of how the sperm gets in!!!

IMO, think it's good to give info bit by bit so that you are giving the right amount at the right time. Recently DD who was about 6 at the time asked me "How are we made?" I was about to launch into a full explanation when she qualified the question and it turned out she was really asking about blood, veins, bones etc!! So, I now check on the question!

[LostGirl]

Try Where Willy Went here, my dd loved this. Willy is the name of a sperm and it talks about where he lives and the journey he takes in the 'Great Sperm Race' so answers all the questions in a matter of fact way without going into too much detail. Agree that Babette Cole is a bit too graphic for this age.

[LostGirl]

Alternatively you could show her this!!! If you click on the pages it takes you through the book, the text is in German but the pictures certainly tell the story!! I think this was a children's sex ed book that was around in the 70's and is no longer published.

[norksinmywaistband]

PMSL at baby smiling as it emerges from fanjo

[claudiaschiffer]

Hahahahahahahaha lostgirl that book is wierd! And SO German. The daddy has the same expression in every picture. And ugh to the sex picture

[LostGirl]

Have vivid recollections of being read this as a child (in English). Seem to recall that I thought the man looked like Jesus!

[dilemma456]

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[ataraxis]

There's also another called 'what's inside your tummy mummy?' here. Used it for my DS's (3&5). They liked the growth bits, especially when the foetus is the size of a baked bean . Agree with LadyPenelope about focusing on growth of baby inside tummy rather than how it got there.

[TheArmadillo]

I think mummy laid an egg is fab.

Have used it with my ds since he was a similar age.

Very easy to understand for them. And it's quite funny as well.

[Slubberdegullion]

Lost girl, that German book is fantastic! The fact that the mummy and daddy look like DH and me is even better.

I have 2 issues with it though, why in birth picture 1 is helful doctor armed with a patella hammer? This is all very wrong.

And why is mummy giving birth in supine? , we need to crack on as early as possible with teaching our daughters to use gravity assisted positions.

Also possibly have issues with conception occuring in classic missionary position, but I guess I could let that go with my 3 and 4 y os.

I have bookmarked it.

[LostGirl]

PMSL Slubberdegullion, I'm guessing that's how it was done in Germany in the 70's! Maybe we should create an up to date version!

[MrsTittleMouse]

I was a bit disappointed with the birth pictures too. Mum on her back and the Dad and doctor paying her (and the baby) no attention at all. I loved the look on the baby's face though.

[LadyPenelope]

Slubberdegullion - if you have issues with conception occurring in classic missionary position, then you should add When Mummy Laid an Egg to your collection. Lots of very inventive positions to share with your 3 & 4 yo!!

[LostGirl]

Can you lend her a space opper MrsPenelope?!

[Overmydeadbody]

First of all, tell her babies don't get into tummies, or get out again for that matter.

Tell her the facts. Babies grow in the mummy's womb from an egg that is already there. They then come out of the vagina.

[LostGirl]

That's what the Where Willy Went book does. Is also another good one called Made With Love, will try and find it.

[LostGirl]

here

[Oblomov]

Overmydeadbody, I don't like the tummy reference wither.
My sil came yesterday and she kept saying tummy. Mind you I have also said baby is growing in my tummy.
Ds(4.7) asked and I told him that "mummy and daddy made love and created a baby".
I didn't know what else to say.

[Slubberdegullion]

[Tinkjon]

I told DD that eggs are inside baby girls from the moment they are born and that when the girl grows up she can choose to grow one of her eggs into a baby. Surprisingly (as she's 5.5!) that's been enough for now and she hasn't queried it further, only queried how they get out (which I answered factually).