STM+ toddler questions/answers

Kaylamarie091

DD is 3 and has been asking lots of questions about her brother's arrival. We are quick to assure her the doctor will get him out safely and she has nothing tobworry about. Unfortunately that seems to not be good enough. She wants to know exactly how the doctor will get him out. We haven't even begun to touch the subject of how he will be breastfed (can't wait to try to answer those questions). What did you tell your little ones? Or how do I go about satisfying a 3 year olds curiosities?

pelorunningmama

My DD is 2.5 so a little younger but we have always been very open and honest with her. She knows her private parts are her vagina and she knows she used to drink milk from my breasts and more milk will come when her brother arrives. She hasn't asked about how baby brother will come out specifically, but if she does I would probably say something like "mommy's body is made to have babies. Your baby brother is in my tummy but when he is ready, he will come out of my body with the help of our doctors. The doctor's job is to make sure baby brother gets here safely." 

As far as breastfeeding, I would do the same. if you breastfed her, explain that she used to drink milk from you too. Our breasts are a part of our body and for a certain amount of time produce milk to feed our babies. 

She may not completely understand, but I think just explaining the best you can is best.

cm716

I'm fairly frank.My dd is four and I've told her the baby will come out of my privates.

 As far as breastfeeding, I'm also pretty straight forward.i.e. the baby is going to drink milk from mommy's boobs. We call it mommy milk. 

I think explaining things correctly (at an age appropriate level) is important because I don't want my kids to think there is anything shameful about pregnancy or breastfeeding.

My friends six-year-old noticed me nursing with my previous daughter and asked me how the milk got there. I just told her it came from my chest and that it was there when mommies have a baby and then when babies don't need it anymore it goes away.

PJpeppercorn

We are honest with her and give her age appropriate explanations when she asks. What a wonderful and natural way for our toddlers to learn about bodies!

Duffgurl

DS1 who will be 5 in August. Never really asked DH or I where babies come from. We did buy him books and read those to him. When DS2 was in my belly he just would say and know that his little brother was in there. When breastfeeding DS2..DS1 knows mommy has milk in her boobies and Oliver is drinking his milk. DS1 was in the delivery room when DS2 was born. Now he wasn't right there in the action but was sitting with daddy and when his brother arrived he gave him a kiss and cuddle. DS1 knows he has a penis and balls. With my lady parts though he has never really asked why the difference..he knows I'm a girl/woman. As PPs said we plan to give age appropriate answers with all their questions.

KMeredith82

My almost 3 yo son hasn't asked very specific questions, he just knows that his baby sister is in my tummy.  He is however convinced that the baby's head is one boob, no matter what I tell him.  Does he think she has two heads??  Kids are funny.

tisunge602

@KMeredith82 My son often thinks the baby is in my boob too! I think he's just noticing my boobs and getting curious about them. (He probably doesn't remember BFing bc we weaned right after he turned one and he's 2.5 now.)

DS knows there's a baby in my tummy and he is coming to live with us in August. He hasn't asked any other questions.

lotsofsunshine

Oh goodness. My 5 year old knows all the parts and we have tried to explain to him in the best age appropriate way we can how babies get here. He was totally on board and his mind was at ease until he saw a show at MIL's where a woman had to have an emergency c section .He is now convinced that the doctor is going to cut me up and I will die in a big bloody mess. Thank you discovery channel. 

Kaylamarie091

Thanks ladies! It's crazy how many questions toddlers can come up with even after giving the best possible answer. 

@lotsofsunshine Before explaining in more detail, my daughter thought a hole would appear in my stomach and he would just fall out. She was very concerned that I would have a hole in my stomach " for forever and ever".