Can a Two Year Old Understand Pregnancy?

They understand to a point so don't give them too much information. One of my children was a worrier and when he was about 2 1/2 a neighbor was pregnant and she told him she had a baby in her tummy, I didn't tell him that. So one night soon after that he was being dried after a bath and started crying and I said what was the problem and he said he thought he was having a baby and didn't know how to take care of it. That thought was because he had that toddler tummy that is a bit protruding at the time that he had the same look at the pregnant neighbor. Poor little boy was so worried so then I had to explain that little boys did not have babies and then he was fine. I laugh about that still.

First, I think it's good your husband is training your son. It may not be a big deal now, but when you are huge ang uncomfortable, a climbing toddler on you will hurt and can be harmful ,putting pressure on nerves, it will effect your breathing, bladder.... So, teaching your son now not to climb on your tummy is very important. You all can teach the child instead to pat or rub mom's tummy carefully.

As for understanding pregnancy, he will not be able to grasp it totally, but you can show him pictures of a baby and say, "A baby is in mommy's tummy. When it is ready, he/she will come out and we will have a new baby brother/sister." Focus less on the baby in the tummy, and more on training him on how to be a good brother. How he can help bring you diapers, or share his room or whatever. There are plenty of cute little big brother books out there you can read him that helps explain things.

I think a 2 yr old can get it on the most basic level. Just keep telling him a baby is in there. If you're comfortable with it, let him watch some birth shows (of humans) where moms give birth. It'll make it make more sense to him. And, he won't be traumatized...at least mine weren't. hehe.

Even if he doesn't get it, odds are he'll be just fine. My son was 19 months old when his little sister was born. I have no idea how much he understood about the pregnancy, but he did great with the baby being here. Also, when that daughter was 22 months old and her little sister was born - same thing. She did great with the new baby (I keep my little ones as my "buddies" and they help me with everything. I do this so that they dont' feel left out.). But I'm not sure how much she understood about the pregnancy itself.

I have let them watch birthing moms on youtube to get a better idea. They find it fascinating.

And, as for your hubby...very cute. Someone else made a really good point, while the baby/you are fine with him climbing on you, when you get bigger, it's not nearly as easy. I'm 35 weeks right now, and my 14 month old and 3 yr old and 4 yr old like to climb on me as though my belly doesn't exist. I mean, the older two enjoy that there is a baby in there, but I am having the hardest time getting them to be more careful about squishing me and such! It definitely gets more uncomfy as you go along...at least it does with me.

That's funny about your hubby, though. I don't know if you can get him to relax. Guys have their own emotional thing they go through with pregnancy:-) hehe.

My girls are 26 months apart. My older one didn't get it at all (at least she seemed totally oblivious) The good thing about having kids with this age spread is you shouldn't have too much jealousy from the older one. We had no issues until my daughter entered the "terrible 3's", and by then her little sister was almost a year old! So I knew it didn't have anything to do with a new sibling being around. I don't think my older was surprised either, it was more just "well OK, now we have a baby in the house". We had to drive by the hospital where little sister was born in order to get to the zoo. Every single time we would drive by it my oldest would point and say, "That's where we got my sister." As if we just went there on a whim and "got" her. Too funny. Enjoy your baby and watching your two little ones bond :)

I dont know!

My second daughter, Lilly, is 2 1/2 and im 15 weeks pregnant and kind of showing. Lilly tells people that she has a" baby in her tummy" every time i'm talking about my pregnancy. Its cute but it makes me wonder is she understands. We've had our talks and she is very bright but her sense of make believe is so whimsical im not sure if she can grasp the idea of growing a child.

My daughter was about the same age when i was pregnant with #2 (was 28months when her brother was born) and it really clicked with her once she could feel him kick. I was on bedrest through a lot of the pregnancy but one of the "games" we played was shining a small flashlight on my tummy and wait for my son to "kick" the light. Honestly though he really got good at hitting near the flashlight by the time I was about 33/34 weeks cause we would do that a couple times a day when he was active. Can't really do that until, I think, 28 weeks or so. He used to also get hiccups that she could feel and she loved that too!

You son does "get it" in some way since his pooh bear is "baby bear". Keep playing with that. Buy some doll diapers, small blankets, bottles?, sling? and show him what mommy and daddy will do with the baby. That way he can help fetch diapers, wipes, blankets, bottles? or what ever when his sibling is born and he will remember and understand what you do with those things for a baby. AND he can "practice" on his "baby" when you have to take care of baby once she/he is born.

And hubby isn't gunna relax completely - that's just normal. Just keep reminding him that baby is in a "water balloon" and if some activity isn't hurting you then the baby is fine.

My daughter is 30 months old we have told her there is a baby in mommys tummy she doesn't bother to ask about it we do remind her daily & if she pounces on me i'am firm with her that she isn't allowed to do that anymore since there is a baby growing in mommys tummy.It all comes down to bringing baby home at this age is when it will finally click that there is a baby in the house.Also it is a hoot when baby kicks & they feel it

The do not understand in a scientific or biological way. If you tell them there's a baby in mommy's tummy, the closest they're going to get is that you ate a baby (and most probably wouldn't even get that.) It's inconceivable to a child that doesn't at least have a rudimentary understand of the human body, which a two year old does not. He knows how to use his hand, not how the muscles in it work together to make it move.

You can best explain in the way you've done...saying that "soon, there will be another baby in our house!" Explain it in practical terms...the baby will sleep here...will eat here...mommy and daddy will hold you AND the baby, etc.

I have no advice for your husband. I always like to "feel" my babies and rub their heads, etc when they are in utero, and my husband seriously thought I was going to brain damage my last one. She's fine. :)