Publications
Partners
What seems to be a pregnant Barbie-esque doll has been making the rounds via social media, and is being promoted as an "educational toy" for children who have started wondering where babies come from.
Cute in theory, but in real life it's borderline creepy-looking and perhaps best suited for parents who aren't quite ready to explain the birds and the bees to their kids.
The pregnant doll sports a missing abdomen, removable bump cover and tiny baby doll that fits inside said missing abdomen; but doesn't do much in the way of accurate depiction.
But hey sometimes it's best to leave kids to their hilarious imaginations.
But then there are other times.
Giving a young innocent child a PG version of 'the talk' isn't exactly an enviable task but might be necessary if you're currently expecting, and those why/where/what/how questions are bound to be posed by a curious soon-to-be older sibling.
If you need to gently and age-appropriately teach your first born where babies come from, without saying too much, here are a few resources you might find handy.
- Also see: Mom and dad, stop with the baby talk!
Setting the scene with Princess Polly
Based on the Pirate Pete and Princess Polly series by Ladybird books, this video is a cute basic introduction to what having a baby in the house is like, and what it's like to be an older sibling. From the pregnant belly and first introductions to visitors coming to see the new addition to the family, this sweet short video is a great way to set the tone for more 'in-depth' explanations.
Recommended books
My New Baby by Rachel Fuller
A series of four books, the New Baby series explains pregnancy, baby’s arrival, playtime rules and adjusting to life with a baby all from a toddler’s perspective.
Where Do Babies Come From? by Angela Royston
Where Do Babies Come From? is a photographic story book and focuses solely on the growth of a life inside a mother’s womb.
The images are not graphic in any sense and also includes the development of a sunflower, a baby duck and kitten. The book does not include any images or explanations of reproductive anatomy.
What's in There?: All About Before You Were Born by Robie H. Harris
What's in There? offers age-appropriate descriptions of pregnancy, how the baby develops inside the womb and birth – both natural and caesarean section – without any detail about sex.
What's it like being pregnant with a second one while taking care of your toddler? Has he/she started to ask questions about where the baby comes from? Email to chatback@parent24.com and we may publish your letter.
Read more:
- 10 reasons to love your second pregnancy
- How your second pregnancy will be different
- Pregnancy week-by-week updates
Sign up for our weekly newsletter to receive Parent24 stories directly to your inbox.
