When and how to tell 2.5 yo about new baby

[Artyparty]

I was advised to wait until the 20 week scan but I really want to tell dd soon as I'm sure she knows something's up. Am 18 wks now- any tips?

I would tell her ASAP, and involve her in all the preparations, and have her "help" with the baby once its born.

I dont think I actually told DS who was about the same age, but didnt hide it from him either iyswim.

I waited until he startedvasking questions to tell him more aboutbwhatvwas going to happen, and he showed more interest once I had a noticable bump.

He used to sing twinkle twinkle to my bump and still sings it to his little sister who is nearly 2.

I showed DS1 my scan picture when I was having DD, and did the same with DD when I was expecting DS2. I told them it was a baby, and we talked about when it would arrive- DS1 in particular seemed to think that the new baby would arrive soon, so we talked about how it would be Christmas first, so the baby had time to grow big and strong before s/he arrived.

We read 'There's a house inside my mummy' so many times that I think I can still recite it from memory! It did seem to help them understand what was happening though.

We told DD after the 12 week scan, so she could understand why I was tired, sick etc.

After the 12 week scan we told her the sex (took a while for her to accept that it wasn't a girl!) and then kept talking about it.

Absolutely love the book There's a house inside my mummy. DD still likes to read it now.

I think involving her really helped as she seemed to understand and took it all really well. But that could just be her nature iyswim.

I've effectively done this twice - DS1 was 2.9 when DS2 arrived, and DS2 should be 2.7 when DS3 arrives.

Both times we told them after the 12/13w scan - actually DS1 saw DS2's scan for childcare reasons so he worked it out.

The difference was interesting - DS1 immediately understood (was 2.4 by scan) and DS2 still isn't quite sure (coming up for 2.4 now).

We have looked at some pictures of babies in utero in (adult) pregnancy books. That seems to help a bit. Also now at 26w they can see and feel the baby's movements.

Good luck with your pgy!