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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

When did you tell your child that there was a baby on the way?

9 replies

Rebecca41 · 27/01/2009 14:39

I'm 26 weeks pregnant, and haven't yet told my DS (age 3.5). My logic is that he has no concept of time - asks often when Christmas is coming, and says things like "is it later yet", "when will it be yesterday". I'm concerned that if I tell him I'm expecting a baby, he'll wonder every day if today's the day it's coming. He doesn't seem to have noticed my huge belly - boys eh!

I know there's no right answer to this, as all children are different. But I just wondered what everyone else had done.

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

nuttygirl · 27/01/2009 14:44

I'm 13 weeks pg and dd (21 months) knows there's a baby in mummy's tummy. Not sure she understands it though. Actually she says she doesn't want a brother or a sister, she wants it to be a rabbit . Oh and she's calling it Tractor

littleducks · 27/01/2009 14:48

7/8 months when belly was big dd was 21/22 months at that point and still asked me every week if baby was coming so i didnt bother earlier as she wouldnt have coped with the wait!

maybe big up babies a bit, in books and things so he finds them interesting as he is older and then tell him you are having a baby

pooka · 27/01/2009 14:57

I think when having ds I told dd at about 4 months. She would have been about 20 months then. I read some books about babies and pregnancy to her. She didn't ask when he would be arriving. Wasn't really that interested to be honest. Too young I think.

Am pregnant now and not sure when to tell dd (now 5.5) and ds (now 3 and a quarter). Not soon, that's for sure. Probably around the 5 month mark, when happy that things progressing OK and when there isn't too long a wait.

jai38 · 27/01/2009 15:02

I am in about the same stage 27 weeks and DS is 3.5 years. We did not tell him specifically but he know from when we did as we talked about it and everyone asked if he was looking forward to being a big brother.

At first he thought he was getting baby jesus at Christmas but he knows now that the baby will pop out (I wish) at Easter and tells people that.

He is very interested and puts toys aside for the new additon that he thinks he too old for and helped us get out all the baby stuff from the loft and tells us that the baby will sleep in his room after it has slept in our room.

He also talks to the baby through my belly.

pinkspottywellies · 27/01/2009 15:55

Haven't read any other replies just the op. I'm pg with dc2 and dd will be about 2.3 when he arrives (in about a month!)

I talked about it in front of her from about 3 months when we told people but didn't tell her directly until before Christmas so I was about 6 months pg. I had the same concerns as you about the timescale thing but she's never actually asked when he'll be here.

In the last 2 weeks or so she's started to say 'get him out' and wanting her baby brother to come out and play! I just say he's not ready yet and stick with 'one day' or 'soon'.

I had a friend who had a baby so we talked about babies coming from mummy's tummy and I point out who her little friend's brothers and sisters are to put it in context.

HTH

ChablisorSancerre · 27/01/2009 21:30

33 weeks with DC2. DD1 is 2.8. Told her about 4 weeks ago that baby was coming and every day since then all we've heard is "can we go pick baby up today?!"

Aside from all that she now wants to be a baby. Brought out pram and moses basket to clean and she keeps getting in them telling me she's tired!

DontlookatmeImshy · 27/01/2009 21:59

We told ds1 when i was about 20 weeks and just starting to show. He was just over 2. We told him there was a baby growing in mummy's tummy but didn't go into details about when it was coming out. We weren't really sure how much he understood until he saw some new babies at toddler group and pointed at my tummy. We let him talk to the baby and kiss it goodnight etc. When ds2 was born he understood that ds2 was the baby from my tummy and there wasn't a baby in there anymore. I think they understand more than we give them credit for.

cornedbeefpasty · 27/01/2009 22:13

i told my kids each time from the very start....

when its public knowledge, i think the thought of them not knowing about it, and people mentioning to them when they are completely unaware will come as a real shock....its different when your child is still literally a baby, but at 3 1/2 needs to know imo...

he is old enough to understand that it will happen in a long time...

i explained it in terms of events they knew....ie, "not until we've been on holidays, but before father christmas comes", or "after nannys birthday, and after daddy's birthday, but before your birthday...it'll be AGES yet...the baby is only teeny now, and bneeds a long time to grow bigger...." kind of thing...

ciara07 · 27/01/2009 22:25

we told dd sraight away but in saying that she was only 15 mnts when we found out so she didn't really understand. She is 19 mnts now and knows there is a baby in mummys tummy and gives it hugs and kisses, but not sure if she understands that it has to come out at some point!!

I agree with Cornedbeefpasty i was concerened about her overhearing us talking about it, and althought she is young want to make her involved. Also it is quite cute when she tries to lift your top to give baby a kiss!!

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