Telling 3 Year Old About New Baby

I believe there are kids books at the library about this subject. Taking her to the ultrasound is a great idea. My first was about 2 1/2 when my 2nd was born. They can understand a lot, but it is not something they will think about all the time. So the ultrasound will show her the baby in your tummy and you can talk about it once in a while with her, but as July gets closer you can talk about it more as it will be more real to her as it is only a short way as compared to months. She will probably also like going through the old baby stuff with you to get ready for the new baby and also like feeling your tummy when the baby kicks. Hype up the whole big sister aspect of it and dont flaunt new stuff that you buy just for the baby so she doesnt get jealous. Extra TLC before the baby comes will make her feel secure too.

I haven't had to deal with this situation yet (hopefully soon!), but I saw what I thought was some really good advice on one or another message board, so I will pass it along. To help tell her what's going on, maybe a book that has some good pictures in it of the pregnant belly and then the baby inside would help explain. Then to help prepare her for the arrival, you can get her a baby of her own and teach her how to feed, change, and rock that baby, just like you will be doing with the new baby. Hope that helps! Have fun at your ultrasound next week! =)

I wouldn't be surprised if your daughter already has an inkling - kids are very sharp. She may not understand the ultrasound, but it's great that you're including her. I believe that the more your daughter feels included in what changes are taking place, the more understanding and excited she will be about the baby.

Obviously I don't know your daughter, but my daughter was about 2 1/2 when we were expecting #2. He was born just after her third birthday. She had the bonus of us having lots of friends who were her age whose mommies were expecting and then having babies before her, so she got to see lots of bellies grow and then babies suddenly join our group. At 2 1/2 she got it just fine. We told her right away (she got to tell everyone in our family). She was "part of it" right from the beginning. And we have not had 1 minute of jealousy or anything like that since our son was born almost 5 months ago. She adores him, helps us take care of him. So maybe let her see your belly and explain it to her. Go to the mall and look for ladies who are pregnant, and bigger than you, and new babies. Have fun with it!

Here's a couple good books tor ead for her: the Little Critter "The New Baby" book by Mercer Mayer and then Dora the Explorere "big Sister" book is good too. My daughter was barely 21 months when our second was born and I'm not sure how much she understood. We made certain to carve out JUST mommy and daddy time with her EVERY DAY so she didn't feel replaced. It was usually after supper when the baby was snoozing and we'd all sit down and watch a kid movie (30 minutes or so) and eat a special treat; popcorn or a smoothie together. Good luck & Congratulations!

Hi A. and congratulations! If I've done the math correctly, Cora will be 3 years, 7 months when her sib comes. She should be able to understand most of what you tell her about the baby in your tummey etc (other posters are right, books would be great for her), but I would prepare her for the changes that come after the baby comes. Try a special baby doll (not one she already has)that she can hold etc, but then you hold the doll and coo at it like you'll be doing with the new baby. Give the doll a good amount of attention, walk around with it, feed it, etc. Do this a few times and watch Cora's reaction. Then give her LOTS of attention. Then give her the doll. You'll get a pretty clear picture of how she'll feel about her new sib. Continue playing with the doll every once in a while until you have the baby. Whenever you get out a new baby contraption (stroller, carseat, bouncer, crib, swing.....!)put the special dolly in it.
After the ultrasound, if you're having another girl, bring out her old clothes and tell her that her clothes will be her sister's now. Make it fun and give your daughter lots of encouragement for lending her clothes.
Don't worry about her transition to her new room. If the furniture is really great, she'll have no problem!
My kids are very close in age, and my oldest wasn't really old enough to understand much about my pregnancy, but the dolly trick really worked to prepare him for his brother. Good luck, I'm sure it'll work out fine.

we have a 4.5 year old and a will be 3 in april (year old, lol) I am 22 weeks along and they both know, the 4.5 year old gets it pretty well, he tells me my belly has to get big so the baby can get bigger and ready to come and see us, it is cute.

our younger child, doesn't quite understand, like in one ear and out the other...he knows he is going to have a baby brother and is excited to become a big brother, but only when we talk to him about it...he wants us to name his little brother Spiderman...

children don't understand time frames, but they do understand change, and changes are happening right now for you and her...

maybe when you move some of her things out you could ask her if she wouldn't mind if her old room could be a new babys room...she will probably be very excited with that too...

My sisters oldest was 2 1/2 when she got pregnant with her next baby. She started right from the start showing him things in the books about how the baby grew and the birth, not many people give younger kids full access to that info, but he took it in and retained it, he even started telling people that he was going to coach his mommy and when you would ask him what he would say when it was time for the baby to come he would say "push mommy push the baby out" That is an extreme and if you have not told her yet then you may not opt for that. When you do tell her make sure that you include that you still love her just as much and you will need her to help with the baby, some kids take to it very well and some kids want no part of it. My niece wouldn't speak about or to her little sister for a month after she was born, she was excited up until the baby came though. I think that giving her the "new" fancy room and big bed is a very good way to help her transition. Good luck.