The prospect of adding a new little one to your family probably has you filled with excitement and anticipation just as it did the first time around. However, for your child the idea can be pretty foreign and scary, particularly if they are becoming a big brother or sister for the first time. Each child’s reaction is going to be different, but it is important to help your child understand what is happening and what they can expect, even if they appear not to be fazed by the new addition to the family.

For a child the idea of welcoming a new brother or sister for the first time can be a little upsetting. They have nothing to gauge this event against. They need their parents to help them understand what to expect, what changes will take place, and what impact this will have on their little world. Here are a few things you can do to help your child get a better understanding of what is happening:

• Discuss what changes will take place during the pregnancy. You can explain the changes they will see in your body and why they are happening. It will be important to tailor the discussion to fit your child’s age and level of understanding.

• Help them understand that there is a baby growing inside of you, and what changes the baby is going through at various stages of the pregnancy. There are several books out there that can help you with this discussion, many tailored to specific age groups. Your pediatrician may also be able to provide you with some tools as well.

• Discuss with your child what changes they can expect once the baby arrives. For example, that the baby may cry a lot and why babies cry.

• If you will be breastfeeding you should talk to your child about what breastfeeding is and what they will see. If you have any pictures of you breastfeeding them when they were a baby the pictures may help them better understand.

• Many hospitals and birthing centers now offer sibling classes. These classes are designed to help kids understand what to expect and to teach them about baby care. They will learn things like how to change a diaper, how to hold a baby, and what being a big brother or sister is all about. Your pediatrician or prenatal caregiver should be able to give you information on the classes available in your area.

A great resource for information and books on how to talk to your child about becoming a big brother or sister is your local library. You can also talk with your child’s pediatrician about how to broach the subject, when to start talking to them about the pregnancy, and what resources are available in your community.

Each child will have a different reaction to the idea of a new baby joining their little family. The more your child knows about what to expect the better equipped they will be to handle the changes they will encounter.