Curious Toddler

I would be as honest as possible with her, and use correct terms. I'd tell her that the baby comes down the birth canal from mommy's uterus which is located under your stomach.

Depending on how much she can handle I would tell her that it might hurt but that the doctor will take good care of you, and be sure to read her books about babies and what happens (mercer mayer's the new baby was our favorite).

With our second, she was breech so I told our almost three year old that the baby's head was up instead of down and that they have to cut my tummy to get her out. She was a big help and very caring and is still interested in seeing my scar. She also came to all my doctor's appointments which I think helped it seem less scary. Honesty goes a long way, even with three year olds!

She was very excited to meet her new sister and very proud of her big sister shirt and necklace and her new baby doll she got "from the baby" too! Good luck, two is so fun!

There are some great books written for children about babies and the birth experience. You can get them at the library. YOu could read the book with her and answer her questions using ideas you get from the book. The book could help you relax and provide a language with which you're comfortable.

My daughter told her 3yo daughter that she had a special opening thru which her brother would arrive. That satisfied her at the time. But it's not always appropriate to tell the whole story. Often we're not sure how much to tell or how to tell something without being too blunt. Books written for children have helped me talk with my daughter when she was a child and now with my grandchildren.

My oldest daughter was 4 1/2 when her sister was born and I was honest with her and have never regretted it. She just took it with a grain of salt and never asked again.
But I was very open with my girls as they were growing up. I think that it made alot of trust.....they knew no matter what i was going to tell them the truth. They were always very discreet when talking with their friends and if I was honest with them they just seemed to accept that it washow it happened.
When they wanted to know about babies, there is a great video called "Where babies come from." It tells it like it is but from a child's point of view. They both watched it and understood and that was that.It was never a big issue they just accepted it...I think because it was the truth and they were not getting mixed signals from friends. They knew the facts and just accepted that it was the way it was. It was never a big issue. I love the video and how it portrays the real facts in a kid like way. L.

HAHA..sorry..I am due in a few weeks and have a three year old too...And this question has come up, he made up his own anwser to the question before I could tell him where the baby would come from as clean and simple as I could. I guess he had watched something with my younger sister not to long before he asked me and he came to the conclusion the baby was going to come out of my butt. So now he tells everyone that mommies new baby will come out of her butt. I would tell her that the doctor who you go see or midwife whatever will be incharge of getting the baby out. And that she will help mommy while mommy pushes and maybe show her what the pushing would look like for a toddler you dont have to show her full force. I wasnt going to get to graffic on where and how painful with my son I dont think that is needed but make it seem magical to her. I just gave up because he isnt hearing anyhting I have to say about it now that he thinks he knows where baby is coming from. But just remember she is only three so make it as easy as possible for her to swalllow without scaring her. Good luck and congrats!!!

A.,

My son was almost 3 1/2 when my daughter was born. He got to come to all the doctor visits, and really seemed okay with all of it. He never asked, that I remember, how she would come out. He really liked being able to help find the heartbeat and help the doc measure how big Mommy was getting. His eyes really lit up the first time he heard her heartbeat, and the first time he found it himself.

Answer honestly to the best of your ability. Children only seem to ask the questions that they are ready for the answers to.

Hope this helps,
Melissa

Congratulations! My daughter was 3 1/2 when I had my second and I was totally honest with her. I've always been honest though and call a part what a part is instead of calling a vagina a "hoo hoo" or whatever other stupid names people come up with. I told my daughter that women have a birth canal and that's how he will come out. That seemed to satisfy her so I let it go with that. I don't remember anything else specific but I didn't make anything up or let her think it was coming out of any other area. I really am for being honest about things. I think it's natural and normal and is what it is so why not be honest with them. It's not like I was graphic or anything else, I just answer with simple honest answers. Good luck!