Finding out you’re expecting another baby is a joyful time, but what is the best way to announce your pregnancy to an older child?
Whatever age your children are they may have a mixed reaction to the happy news.
For very small kids they may not really understand what the news means, while other kids may feel excited immediately or a little apprehensive at the idea of welcoming a new baby into the family.
We’ve all seen the funny pregnancy reveal to kids videos on YouTube where the kids just go into total meltdown at the idea of a new sibling.
But none of us want to see our older kids becoming upset at the idea of you being pregnant, so we’re going to talk about ways you can announce your pregnancy to a sibling.
There’s no guarantee you will be able to control your child’s reaction, so we’re going to talk about how to deal with the range of emotions your child might have after you break the big news.
You may also like: Sibling pregnancy announcements
Funny and cute pregnancy announcement quotes
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When to tell your kids you’re pregnant
This is totally up to you and when you tell your kids about your pregnancy may very much depend on your circumstances.
For example if you have a difficult first trimester then it may be easier to tell your child early on so that they understand why you are unwell and it’s nothing to worry too much about.
If you want to keep your pregnancy quiet until 12 weeks then you may wish to not tell a younger child about your pregnancy until that stage. This is because kids younger than 10 aren’t the best secret keepers!
Your kids should be one of the first people that you do tell about your pregnancy, as it’s important for them to hear it from you in a way that makes them feel positive about the news.
Make it fun
This is a big moment for your child and while you cannot predict their reaction, you can make it a happy moment by making it fun.
Use a gift or props to make this an exciting moment. Try drawing out the surprise by giving them something that clues them in your news, and let them figure it out for themselves.
Stay positive when you’re telling them the big news and remind them of their importance in all of this so that they are at the centre of the announcement. This should reassure them and ensure they don’t feel insecure.
Speak in a way they can understand
You know your child best so you’ll know the best words to use when it comes to explaining this to them.
Keep it simple when you explain the news to your child: “We’re going to have a baby. There’s a baby in mama’s tummy.”
If they have questions then explain them honestly, using age appropriate language for your child.
A common question I’ve had from my kids is “how did a baby get into your tummy”.
I’ve always kept this explanation short but honest: “Mama and dad got together to make a baby, the baby is growing inside mama’s womb and when the baby is ready they will come out.”
Some kids may ask a LOT of questions. It’s best to use the correct language in this instance, while keeping your explanations as short and to the point as you can. Baby Centre has some great tips for these type of conversations here.
Accept their reaction
Your child might be happy, sad or a combination of both! Most kids are really excited to learn they are going to be a big brother or big sister.
If they do cry – whether it’s because they’re so happy or because they’re upset – accept this reaction. It’s their honest reaction and they need to be free to feel how they feel about the news.
Comfort them and reinforce that they are still loved and will be even more important in the family because they will have a little baby to look out for and inspire.
And don’t be disappointed if your child is a little sad. This is a totally normal reaction – it’s their honest reaction – and if you keep being positive and reinforce how loved they are then they will come around to accept it and get excited about the news.
Film it for the memories
This is a moment to remember so be sure to capture it by filming on your mobile or with a camera.
You could enlist the help of a family member so that you can all be in the shot together when it comes to telling your kids.
Telling your toddler you’re pregnant
If your child is still very young, age 18 months to three, then explaining your pregnancy probably won’t be as tricky as you think.
By this age children may not fully understand the concept of pregnancy but they will be familiar with babies through socialising with other families or attending daycare.
Tell them that there will be a new baby in a few months and that mummy will be growing a baby inside of her.
My toddler had very few questions, and really didn’t seem particularly interested in our baby news when I was expecting her little sister. My pregnancy was something she came to accept as just a normal part of life.
The most important bit for us was consistently reminding her a new baby would be here soon. So helping your younger child accept a baby is coming goes beyond just this bit where you first break the news. You need to keep the new baby in the conversation.
Creating the new baby’s room, or space, in your home will help younger kids to visualise that this is real.
You can get more tips on preparing a toddler for a newborn baby sibling here.
Telling an older child about your pregnancy
Older kids aged five and above will be a lot better equipped to understand the concept of a pregnancy and mummy having a baby in their tummy.
Parenting expert Dawn Huebner, author of the self-help book for kids What to Do When You Worry Too Much, says she encourages parents to use “correct terminology” when it comes to explaining pregnancy.
So she suggests that instead of using words like tummy, you use words such as uterus. You can explain your pregnancy in a way that is honest without going into mega complicated detail.
In a similar way to telling your toddler, an older child will also benefit from having repeated conversations about what life will be like when the baby comes.
Fun ways to tell your child you’re pregnant
Applying the tips above you can try these fun ways to announce your pregnancy to your child.
Whether you decide to get some props, or just explain they’re going to be a big brother or big sister, this will be a special moment for you as a family.
Wrap up a new toy
A cute soft toy with “Big Brother” or “Big Sister” written on it is a lovely way to let them know your news.
If you tell them it’s a gift from their new sibling this will be a nice way to get them excited for the baby’s arrival.
This is also something they can treasure forever as a reminder of becoming a sibling.
Check out this cute big sibling toy if you’re in the US.
And see this new sibling toy if you’re in the UK.
Show them the ultrasound
Keep it simple by just showing them the ultrasound. You could put it in a frame and wrap it up for your child to open.
Wait to see their reaction and see if they can figure out what they’re looking at.
Say it with a t-shirt
A t-shirt is a great way to tell a child of any age that you’re expecting a baby.
You can find lots with slogans such as “Being promoted to Big Brother/Sister (DATE)” or simply “Big Brother/Sister”.
I love this big sibling “loading” tee from Etsy – check it out here.
Even if they can’t read you can wrap it up and read what it says to them. If they can’t read you could add something like a picture of the ultrasound in a frame to give your child a clue about your news.
Give them a book
There are some amazing books out there about becoming a big sibling that are not only a fantastic way to prepare your child for a new baby but also a great way to break the news.
You could either wrap up the book or just start reading it to them. Explain that they are soon going to be just like the character in the book and be a big sibling too.
Some books for toddlers include:
You’re the Biggest by Lucy Tapper
You Were the First by Patricia MacLachlan
Some great books for older kids include:
Babies Don’t Eat Pizza by Dianne Danzig
Noelle: The Best Big Sister by Mikaela Wilson
Give them some jewellery
A personalised necklace or charm bracelet with big sister or brother engraved on it as a message, along with the date, is a lovely way to treat them.
This can also be a memento that they treasure forever. This one is best for older kids, over the age of eight.
Try a scavenger hunt
I love this idea from this family to do a little scavenger hunt around the house, ending with a big reveal of the news.
The parents hid the photo of their baby scan in the kids’ toy oven which I think is a really cool idea.
Final thoughts on telling your child you’re pregnant
However you decide to go about telling your kids you are pregnant again be prepared to answer their questions and give them loads of love.
They will probably be very excited, but it’s also important to emphasise that their place in the family will not be changing and they will always be precious to you.
Be prepared for your child to go through a range of emotions after the big news as well. They may be excited at first, then have a lot of questions and be a little apprehensive. Roll with it and be available to answer all of their questions when they have them.
Best of luck with your big pregnancy reveal!
