Mommy Is Having A Baby!

Preparing for a new arrival from the beginning of your pregnancy is the best way to familiarize your children with the lifestyle changes a new baby brings. Involving young children as your body grows and changes will build the anticipation of meeting the newborn.

How you involve your children will depend on their age. Here are some ideas to help your family prepare for a new baby:

Explain how babies are made and grow inside their mothers. There are several great books out that will help even little ones understand. Your toddler will wonder about things like where the baby is and if the baby can hear and see him. We think you'll like these picture books for new big brothers and sisters:

Mommy's Having A Baby by Camille Liscinsky

On The Day You Were Born by Debra Frasier

Being Born by Sheila Kitzinger

Show your child pictures of himself when he was a newborn. Take him with you on prenatal visits and to visit the hospital or birthing center. Explain what the ultrasound is and point out the baby and how he moves. Let him listen to the baby's heartbeats and then have him listen to his own.

Explain how small and delicate a newborn baby is. Many moms have found that giving a lifelike doll like the Chou Chou baby to their child helps them practice holding and caring for the new arrival. Our favorite Chou Chou is 19 inches with a weighted body - the size of a real baby and her eyes close when she's laid down to sleep.

Be ready to answer questions that are likely to be asked by new big sisters and brothers, like "Why does the baby cry so much", "Why do babies sleep all of the time", "When can we play together" and "Am I still your baby". Your child is looking for reassurance that that the new baby you've talked so much about will not take his place.

Have your child help prepare for the new baby. You'll be busy painting the nursery, picking out bedding or layette items and it's the perfect time to ask your little one to help. Whether it's folding clothes, selecting a paint color or arranging stuffed animals, little things like this will go far in making your child a part of the excitement.

Understand why your child may be jealous. Not only will the immediate family be captivated by the baby, but even casual friends and strangers will be fascinated and make a fuss. Listen to him when he feels sad or says he wants to be a baby again. It's his way of expressing to you how his world has changed and how it's making him feel.

About the Author

For more great information about expecting and parenting, visit MomRecommended.com, a site for moms by moms. Annie Valle is a freelance writer, web designer and a mom. You'll find product reviews, recipes, baby names, free projects and more, when you visit http://www.momrecommended.com.

---

Labor and Delivery

This is it - the finish line. You and your... Read More

Pregnancy Symptoms

There are many early signs that you may be pregnant.... Read More

The Ins and Outs of Being a Doula

A doula is a Greek word meaning "woman servant." Doulas... Read More

Dealing With Common Pregnancy Complaints

Pregnancy is not without its side effects. During pregnancy your... Read More

Weight Loss After Pregnancy - The Final Word

One point can't be emphasized enough. Weight loss takes time... Read More

Pregnancy and Exercise, How to Stay Fit While Being Pregnant

EXERCISE SAFELYThe first thing to understand when you exercise during... Read More

Finding Time To Exercise After Pregnancy

If exercise is so obviously the answer to losing weight... Read More

Weight Gain During Pregnancy, and Weight Loss After Pregnancy

How much weight gain is normal during pregnancy, and will... Read More

Pregnancy Exercise

One of the best things you can do to prepare... Read More

Pregnancy Fashion - Look And Feel Great During Your Pregnancy!

Have you ever wondered what makes women tick? Well among... Read More

Calcium and Pregnancy

Studies show that most women do not get enough daily... Read More

How Fast Will I Lose The Weight I Gained During Pregnancy?

Remember as with any weight loss and exercise program, moderation... Read More

Exclusively Pumping Breast Milk

It is commonly recognized that breast milk is the best... Read More

Pregnant? Did You Know You Can Begin Bonding as Early as 8 Weeks into Pregnancy?

Maybe someone you know has rented or purchased a fetal... Read More

Fetal Development Month by Month

Month 1: Your first month of pregnancy your baby will... Read More

Start Growing Healthy Children Before Getting Pregnant

When I was in my early 20's, I read Adele... Read More

The Truth About Labor and Childbirth

Labor and childbirth was an amazing, positive experience for me,... Read More

Weight Loss After Pregnancy - The Importance Of Setting Goals

One of the best things you can do is set... Read More

The Developing Child

We know the fetus is experiencing whatever is going on... Read More

You Can Do Exercise During Pregnancy, but Dont Overdo It

Don't get so lazy during your pregnancy. Move your body... Read More

The First Warning Signs of Pregnancy

Pregnancy can be exciting or daunting, depending on the circumstances.... Read More

What is an Ectopic Pregnancy?

Ectopic is another way of saying "out of place". An... Read More

Pregnancy Weight Gain - The Mystery Solved

It is important that you remember that weight gain is... Read More

Help I am Pregnant and an Addict

There are a lot of resources on the internet, in... Read More

After Birth Weight Control

After having given birth; weight becomes a lasting issue for... Read More

Smoking During Pregnancy

If you have been drinking up until the point when... Read More

Problems Associated With Teen Pregnancy

Pregnancy is one of the pivotal moments of a woman's... Read More

Will I Get Stretch Marks? If I Do, What Can I Do?

It doesn't seem possible at the outset of pregnancy, but... Read More

How do Pregnancy Tests Work?

Pregnancy tests identify a special hormone in the blood or... Read More

The Dos and Donts of Pregnancy

With so many people giving their opinion on what to... Read More

Why Pregnant Women Get Stressed and Depressed?

If you are a pregnant mother or soon will be,... Read More

Infertility and Pregnancy

When a couple is unable to conceive a child, it... Read More

How To Prepare For Natural Childbirth

SURROUND YOURSELF WITH PEOPLE WHO BELIEVE THAT BIRTH IS NATURAL,... Read More