When is a good time to tell 3yo about new baby?

Question

I am 6 weeks along. I suspect my son will be very excited.

Answer 1

We started telling our 2 1/2 year old about 14 weeks into our pregnancy. We told him that it was his baby. As I got farther along, he really got into babies...baby animials...baby anything. He heard the term baby shower and I can only imagine what he thinks it is...he always says to me now...look mommy it's raining, oh, poor baby shower.

We also used a big rubber duckie in the bath and got him a little rubber duckie to go with it, he loves it, calls it the mommy and baby duckie. He didn't really get the ultrasound, he said, oh my gosh mommy, look it's a monster.

We are due in just a few weeks. Right now, Ty yells into my belly button to say hello to his baby brother and lays his ear on my belly to feel the kicks. So far he is still very interested and excited, although I do find him being a bit more clingy to me these days. I certainly don't mind, after all it is my last few weeks of spending with just him to love on.

Good luck to you, enjoy your pregnancy and your time these next few months with your toddler.

Answer 2

Wait till you start to show. Even a month to a 3 year old is forever. So don't say anything until you are at least 5 months along, I'd say. If there are any things that you need to work on him giving up for the new baby, do that now, before he knows. Things like changing his room, finishing potty training, a bigger car seat, sleeping in his own bed at night. That way he doesn't associate giving up things or a change in his routine with a new baby. And congratulations!

Answer 3

For the sake of your sanity, do NOT tell him until the baby comes home from the hospital. Just trust me. Your son has no comprehension of what's going on, doesn't understand the idea of waiting 9 months for the baby to arrive, and will spend the entire duration of your pregnancy asking you ten zillion questions such as "when will the baby get here," to "how did the baby get in your tummy" to "how will the baby get out" ad infinitum. What's more, he will not remember your answers remember ten seconds later.

I know it sounds like a great idea, and a lot of the other posters look on this as a great touchy-feely moment, but I guarantee that none of these people have kids. You just don't want to do this.

Answer 4

I ended up loosing my last baby, probably within a months time as soon as I found out I was pregnant. I would say after your first trimester is best. Even though your son is 3, it will prepare him for one of the biggest events in his life. I was pregnant with my second child when my son was 7 months. He didn't understand it at first, of course. but as my belly got bigger and the baby began to move, he became just as excited as I was about our new addition to the family.

Answer 5

wait until it really starts to show, then tell him that he's gonna get a new bro/sis!! If i were you, i would go out and have t-shirts made up saying things like "I'm a new big brother" and "I love my new older brother" and stuff like that. Give a t-shirt "from your son to the new baby" and have a t-shirt ready for the new baby "from their big brother"

Answer 6

I would definitely leave it til you're at least half way through.. nine months is a long time to you and I, imagine what it is like to a 3 year old! They always want instant gratification!!

Answer 7

NOW!!!! Don't worry about the old "first trimester rule". If by some off chance you did have a miscarriage, it would be something you could explain to him.

Answer 8

You should have told him in the beginning. Be open with your son. He's going to be the "big brother!"

Answer 9

When you start showing. It can be a long anxious wait for a three year old.

Answer 10

I would wait until you're showing or until your in your second trimester. It would be hard for him to understand if something goes wrong.