How to tell 3 year old I’m pregnant/ she’ll have a new sibling?

[TwinkleTwinkleX]

Hey!

We are due to have our 12 week scan next week and all being well want to tell our 3 year old we are pregnant/ expecting a new addition to the family.
Any tips or experience of doing this?
Shes very clever, smart and loving and loves babies. She is very much the centre of our attention so not too sure what she will think of the concept initially. Also mindful and actual baby sibling is a way off! Would love to hear your thoughts x

We waited and told mine after the 20 week scan. Couldn't have dealt with her questions if something had been wrong tbh. It's also such a long time for them and there's no physical bump at 12 weeks to help them visualise.

Everyone was pretty discreet about it and most conversations could carry on without her knowing what we were discussing.

We told our nearly 4yo quite early on to give him time to get used to the idea. Lots of books including that “there’s a house inside my mummy” one. He came to one of the scans with us too. Baby was born when he was 4 and a quarter and he’s been lovely with his brother from day one. He’s now 6 and his brother will be 2 in February and they’re so great together.

Way, way too early to tell her imo. It’s such an incomprehensible amount of time to wait for them.

I had a 3 year old and managed to not tell him until I was 8 months. Friends and family were warned to not mention it.

I told my son as soon as I found out. He's 3 next month so was around 2 and a half (due in 4 weeks). It's really helped with bonding and he's felt kicks etc of the baby and commented on how the baby has got bigger etc. I don't talk about it all the time though but he does talk about the baby most days. He knows she's due after christmas.
I just told him there's a baby growing in my tummy, she will be your baby sister. I've showed him scan pics etc too. They take everything in their stride don't they.

We told our three year old straight away. He didn't really get it at first but the constant narrative of the new baby (how he was going to be a helpful big brother, reading books about being a big brother and discussing what it would be like having a baby in the house) helped it become normal so by the time the baby actually came it was a very smooth transition for him.

We told DD at 12 weeks, the same time we told everyone else. It worked for us. Congratulations!

Ohhh this just made me think. I don't think
I ever told dd1 but she was 22 months when I
had dd2.

I think I panicked and had the most therapist response ever ‘ I’m curious why you would be wondering that …’

still a mystery to me how they figure it out!

We have a 3 year old and have decided to wait and let Christmas be all about him. Family members know but he's too busy in his own world with toys and excited for Santa to pay attention. We are going to wait until at least after the 20 week scan, my scan pics from 12 week are awful anyway so he's not really understand. He does want a sibling, he told me last night he wants "3 brothers and 1 sister" and I said to him that's a lot 😂😂