Prepare your Toddler for the New Baby

Your first-born child has been the center of your life for his or her entire life, so it is no wonder that you are going to need to prepare your toddler for the arrival of a new baby brother or sister. In order to make the transition from only child to sibling as smooth as possible, you should consistently talk to your child about what to expect when the new baby comes home. Toddlers are at a tender age, so you have to take the proper measures to make your pregnancy and birth a happy, positive experience.

When you find out that you are pregnant, you do not need to inform your toddler right away. It is perfectly fine to wait until you begin to show so that there is a visible explanation of what you are saying ("baby is growing in mommy's tummy"). Don't expect your child to fully grasp what you are saying right away. After all, it is a confusing concept for a young child. To help illustrate what is going on in mommy's belly, you should purchase one or more children's books on pregnancy. One great book to buy is "What to Expect When Mommy's Having a Baby" by Heidi Murkoff. There is also a fabulous follow-up book to buy called "What to Expect When the Baby Comes Home," also by author Heidi Murkoff. You should also expose your toddler to babies as much as you can. If you have friends or family members with babies, ask them if you can set up some visits so that your child can get acclimated to what a baby is like. Visit the hospital with your toddler to see the newborns. In most instances, exposing your child to babies will help to build up the excitement about the new arrival.