Is It Appropriate to Take Our 5 Yr Old to the Ultra Sound?

Not only is it ok, you should! I don't have any other children but when I went in for ultrasounds I brought my niece and nephew every time I could. Not only was it good to spend time with them but it is a learning expierience. They got to see thier new cousin and learned about how the machine works. They where so exited every time. And most of the time you get great ultrasound technicians that will show the kids what they are looking at and will explain everything so they understand.

I think it is fine to take him! I took my then 18 month old to mine. Hubby had to distract/entertain her a few times, but overall she did really well!

We brought along my 2 yr old daughter and the 4 yr old boy I care for, because there was no one else to watch them. The 4 yr old was also having a sister soon, so his parents thought it would be interesting for him. My husband was there to oversee them, and it went great. The 4 year old was mesmerized, and was able to pick out body parts as well as we were on the screen. My daughter did not really understand what was going on. She read her books, but behaved for the most part. She did get antsy while we were waiting, but that didn't matter as neither the doctor or the technician were in the room.

we took our 5 year old son with us to our ultrasound a couple months ago it was a great experience he had lots of questions (more than us)and she was able to answer them all for him he had a great time and then brought the pics in for show and tell at preschool. If he is anything like my son he wants to know everything and be included in it as much as possible. We also took our 9year old in with us when i was pregnant with my son she was 4 at the time and she loved it she didn't get to go this time she had school. She was a little upset but got to bring pics. in and they my son and daughter talked about when they went and the difference and everything like young adults for weeks it was so cute to see them bonding that way she was telling him about when she saw him in my tummy and he was asking her questions about it I didn't think she even remembered it but i was wrong. I hope you are able to share this with your son and new one congratulations.
A.

I would definitely take your son, my oldest was 3 when we took him to the ultrasound of our second child and he was great. He was much more excited about the baby after actually seeing the baby. We now know he has ADHD, yet he did very well. So, naturally when we went for the ultrasound of our third child the second child, which was three at the time we to see his baby sister. I would do it all the same if I had to do it all over again. I feel my children were much more prepared for the arrival of the baby, by keeping the involved.

A.,

I took my son along but they made him stay in the waiting room for the ultrasound. He was not allowed in the room. Luckily my husband was along and could stay out there with him too but this meant my husband missed the ultrasound as well! After the technician had completed the ultrasound she called the doctor in to review everything. They let my husband and son in at that point so they got to see a little of ultrasound with the doctor but not much. I would recommend leaving your little one at home or calling ahead and finding out what their policy is so you're not caught by surprise like we were.

I would not bring your child to the ultrasound. They are long and hard to tell what you are looking at. We have a 4 yr old and I am very glad I didnt bring her to ours. They give you lots of pictures and its better to just show him the pictures. He wont know what hes really looking at anyways. We bring my daughter to my tummy checks where they just check the heartbeat and measure my tummy. She loves hearing the heart and it makes her feel special. We also encourage her to talk to her baby sister and she even tries to read her picture books. Sooo cute. There are so many ways to get your soon to be big brother involved. An ultrasound is not one of them.

Hi A.,

I think it's fine to take your son. My son is 15 months and I plan on taking him to the ultrasound. To me, it's a family affair and I don't want him to feel excluded or like he's being replaced. Family time is importantand hard to come by, you got to take it any way you can get it. Have fun!

yes, what a wonderful idea! It will be fun for your five year old to see their little sister or brother! It will teach them about babies.

Hi A.:

I would involve your son as much as possiable and take him along with you. I think it is a great idea and it involves him too, not only being with his momma and daddy, but his little baby that is on the way. My son was 6 at the time and he loved it. Yeh its a little crowded and long at times, but bring him something along to do while waiting. Teach him from an early age how great it is to be involved and just how amazing it is!!

I hav'nt read everyone elses responses yet so I appologize if I'm repeating antyhing that has already been said.
Can you video tape the ultrasound? We had ours taped, and then showed the tape to my son when we got home. Since they only actually "tape" certain parts,(usually the fun stuff) you're child can enjoy the 15 mins or so of footage, without actually going to the appt. Then you don't have to worry about them getting bored while they take measurements and such.
Just an idea, since it worked so well for us. Congrats on newest addition to your family! :)

I work in a clinic where we do ultrasounds and even though it would be great for your son to see his new baby sister or brother I would encourage you to have someone meet you with him after the ultrasound. I would ask for a picture especially for your son. The ultrasound can get very long and unfortunately if your son gets bored with the process your husband would probably have to step out with him. Good luck.

We brought our 3 year old daughter with us because she is totally excited and in to this pregnancy. We just had her bring some snacks and coloring books. It was a little long but she loved it! A 5 year old should do even better than a 3 year old. Good luck!
J.

I am 22 weeks along and last month we had our untra sound. I took my 4 year old daughter but left my 2 year old son with a sitter. Emma Rose had an amazing time, she really enjoyed watching the screen and asking a ton of questions. I feel that was a good bonding experience for her to see he new brother or sister and it helped with some of the questions she had. She was so young when I was pregnant with her brother that it would have been more trouble, but at 4 she really did enjoy it. I hope this helps.

My doctor encourages her patients to bring the kids to make it seem more real and that they are a part of the experience. My daughter is 3 and she is the only one in my family that has seen the baby. I had an emergency ultrasound and was not in a position to see the screen, but they called my daughter over and she was mezmerized. She was so excited and told everyone that she saw her baby. I will be taking her to my next one.

We took our 2 1/2 year old to our ultrasound appointments. We also had a backpack filled with little activities to help entertain her.(stickers and a notebook, colorwonder markers-they only work on the certain paper, etc...) There was a time that my husband stepped outside with her, but she loved being there and felt like she was a part of the upcoming excitement. I would do it all again. Good luck.-H.

We too brought our daughter with us when we went for our second child. When she got to antsy my husband stepped out with her a few minutes, they walked the halls and then returned, and she was great. A friend of mine always brings her kids along (she now has 4)and each time buys them a special present (coloring book, aquadoodle, etc) that when they have had enough she has her husband pull it out for them.
I feel that this is going to be your child sibling, they should be be able to see it too! Good luck!!

I would recommend it.
if you don't bring him to the ultrasound at least let him come on a regular Doc. visit. Our Ob.gyn let my kids try to find the heartbeat themselves - it was great - they got to be part of the experience. and their little eyes would just glow when they'd find the hearbeat on their own.

I would call the place you're having the u/s & ask if kids are allowed. Some places do not allow them. Also, you have to think if he will be well behaved for an hour. If he's not well behaved, then you husband would have to leave the room with him & miss the u/s. Otherwise I think he's at the perfect age to really enjoy it. Like I said, call your doctors office or where you'll be having it to see if they allow children.

Good luck & enjoy!

Congrats on the pregnancy! I think it's wonderful that you want to include your son in the process of finding out about his bro/sister. Is this the ultrasound that confirms a pregnancy, or is it the later one that tells you the sex of the baby? Have you considered how you might handle things with your son there if the US shows you something negative? I had an US show only tissue with no heartbeat, and a friend of mine found out there were 3 babies but only one with a heartbeat. Otherwise, my US was very short - maybe 10 minutes after entering the room - and my 20 month old girl was certainly able to handle it, so I'm sure a 5 yr old could.

Good luck,
T.

I don't think so. I take my daugter with when I had ultra sounds with both of my boys and she thought it was cool to see them both in my belly like that.

We took our 3 year old son with us to our ultrasounds...being that I'm an older mom and because of a heart defect I had when I was born, we had 3 ultrasounds and he sat through all of them well. The hospital we went to also had an area in the room set up for kids with coloring books and stuff for him to do if he got bored. Maybe check to see if the place you are going to has something like that set up. Good Luck!

My ds was 5 when we took him and he was fine, a little mad that it wasn't the girl he was planning on:) but he did fine. Depends on the child though. I had been taking him to church with me for most of his life so he was used to sitting for a longer period of time. One thing to think about, bring someone else with you if you can to take him out he gets restless. I was so glad I took my Ds to the ultrasound, made him more of a part of it.
K. H

I also have a 5 year old and although I'm not pregnant she would very very upset if she missed something like that and jealous. If I have anymore children I know flat out my daughter will have to be involved with almost everything we're just super close like that.

I think it would be a wonderful learning opportunity and bonding experiance. I'm totally for it. You can tell kids all you want that your pregnant and there's a baby in your tummy but I don't think they fully get it. I think a ultra sound would really help them visualize and make it for real for them.

If you want your son to come with and their hesitant or are weird about it just put your foot down. I've been told nicely and rudely at alot of places not to bring my daughter with all over at various places because they "assume" she will misbehave and be a distraction. So not the case with us, I'm strict and on top of my daughter's behavior. But I guess it takes a few bad apples to spoil it for everyone else.

I don't think it is too young. My 2 & 3 year olds came with, and while they didn't really have a clue what was going on, they did fine because my husband was there to help. I think it would be fun for your 5 year-old to see his new brother/sister. A lot of my friends have taken their other children with to the appointments as well.

At my doctors office they would not allow children in for the whole time. They would do the whole ultra sound and then let the kids in afterwards. I would check with your doctors office to see what there policy is. Other then that I would say that no age is to young. My two year old loved the five min that she got to be in the room.
B.
Mom of Mika(2) and Taya (8 weeks). Wife to Jason of almost 4 years.

My son was 2 and my daughter was an infant when we brought them along to not only the ultrasound, but doctors visits.He thought it was pretty cool. Some people will also have siblings with them when they deliver...
I say do it!
C.

I think it's appropriate. :) Having a baby is a life changing affect for everyone in your family, even the little ones. It might be exciting and more real for them to see more than just a big belly. :)

Definitely bring him!!! If you are afraid of restlessness bring along his favorite (travel sized) toy. My daughter went to my sisters ultrasound, and while she was 8 she was just in awe with what she saw...it will be a good learning experience for him (and it will make "the talk" a little easier since he will know "where" babies come from...)

First I would call and see if they will let him in before going because you don't want your husband to have to sit in the waiting room with him and miss it too. Then if they say yes, be sure to bring some toys or a coloring book or something. That way if he gets bored he can sit and color or something. We brought my daughter with and she was only 1 at the time. When I laid down on the table and the lady started, my daughter totally freaked out that someone was hurting me. My husband had to leave with her after a few minutes because she just couldn't handle it. Be sure to talk to your son about what's going to happen so he won't get scared. I realize he's older but you're his Mommy and they're very protective at any age.
Enjoy and best wishes,
J.

we wanted to bring our son to our ultrasound when he was 6 and they said then that it would be to long for him to sit there.

My clinic wouldn't let me bring my daughter. They told me over and over again no kids allowed. I have had 3 ultrasound this time and they were like that each time. Almost rude. I would have liked for my almost 4 year old to be there but didn't have a choice. She does really like looking at the pictures of her brother and carries them around with her. I am 31 weeks along. Good Luck!!!!