How do you tell a toddler about a new baby?

[ScarlettButler]

Delighted to be expecting DC2 next year, but rather worried about how DD will take this as she will be not quite two when baby arrives. She's a lovely easy going little babe but - ummm - what's the best way of preparing her that there's going to be another little baby around? Any advice gratefully received....

my 3 ds's are all 2 years apart. when pg with ds2 we just told him that there was a babyvon mummy's tummy. as bump grew bigger he named the bump lumpy. he used to feel baby kick - I used to have to riggle tummy as bump wouldn't kick on demand. he was great when baby was born apart from wanting to smother with cuddles. ditto with ds3. when I was in labour with ds3, ds1 (4) knelt down to ds2 (not quite 2) and told him 'its ok. we are going to stop at grandads tonight and when we come back there will ne a new baby to cuddle' needless to say that made me cry.
congratulations - it will be fine - just keep her involved.

books books books
'waiting for baby' wsas tops
the miffy one is crap

DD1 was 27 months old when DD2 arrived. We did not take her to any scans or appointments and did not mention the baby around her until I was showing - otherwise we felt that she would be wanting this baby to arrive quickly as 9 months is an incredibly ling time!

Then lots of talking and chatting to the bump and reading of books - a favourite was Zaza's Baby Brother which talks about how the baby gets a lot of attention but becomes more fun and does sleep so the big one can still get attention! But is in VERY simple text and very little writing so lots of prompts for chatting with the toddler. We kept on reading it - at DD1's request after the arrival of DD2 as she wanted to keep talking about the changes that had taken place in the family!

Now - with DD2 being 18 months old - they are each other's best friends, play and giggle together and DD1 cannot remember a time when DD2 did not live with us.

Waiting for baby
also a favourite, though our translation calls it Emma's Baby Brother

good thread here

I second the recommendation for zaza's baby brother, lovely book, without being too twee.

3andahalfmonkeys I just welled up when I read that! ("it's ok..." etc)

Watching with interest as trying for a sub-two age gap.

Book ideas are great - I had no idea that there were books like that out there! They think of everything don't they.

I am anxious about this too as have number 2 arriving in August, I have taken dd to all appointments (out of necessity) and she does keep asking about whether or not she can see mummy's baby. I don't think she has the concept of it just yet but is very interested in babies so am hoping that that works ok. Am off to find some of the books you refer to now. The only problem I can see at the moment apart from the normal jealousy is if we have a boy - she is pretty determined that the baby is a baby sister!

The house inside my Mummy book is fab. DS still asks me to read it ven though his little sister is now a year old.