Books To Read Your Children When Expecting A Baby

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I have one more week till I hit my 3rd trimester mark.  My family is preparing for our new arrival in just a few months. One way our family prepares for our new arrival is by discussing the new baby and what’s is to come with our 5 children.  Maybe it’s the homeschool mom in me but one of the ways we prepare our kids is by reading to them. I have complied some books I have pulled from my book shelves to read my kids during this final stretch.  The selection is geared for toddler to preschool. Some board books while others mildly explain where a baby comes from.

The Berenstain Bears New Baby – A brightly illustrated story which tells of a youngster’s happy acceptance of a new addition to the family and how Mama and Papa Bear assist him with the adjustment. Authors: Stan & Jan Berenstain

 

Where Is Baby’s Belly Button  Babies play peekaboo in this delightful interactive book. With an easy-to-lift flaps for parents and children to share. Author: Karen Katz 

 

Little One, God Loves You – A cute and cuddly board book that let’s children know God made them solely for the purpose of loving them.  Author: Amy Warren Hilliker 

 

If I Could Keep You Little…… –  A sweet book that speaks straight to every parent’s heart, exploring the powerful feeling of wanting your child to grow up while savoring every moment. Author: Marianne Richmond 

 

I’m A Big Brother –  A loving book by Joanna Cole is told through the eyes of a brand new big brother and lays out all the great things about being an older sibling, reminding kids that they’re just as special as ever. Author: Joanna Cole

 

My New Baby –  There is so much to find out when a baby is born! What does it smell like, and when will it walk? When does it sleep, and what does it like to eat? A new addition to any family is exciting, but the experience can alsobe worrying and confusing for siblings. Coping with the new situations and emotions that arise can be very challenging. This books deals with the anticipation of waiting for the new baby, the excitement of the arrival itself, and the beginnings of the special relationship that develops between siblings. 

 

The Story of Me – It’s never too early to begin giving your child a practical understanding of his or her unique, beautiful body and why God designed it to be exactly the way it is. The Story of Me is the first book in the God’s Design for Sex series, written to be read to children ages 3 to 5. With candid, age-appropriate language and realistic illustrations, The Story of Me explains: * God’s love and the goodness of all He has made * The nurturing family as God’s context for love * Why God wants each baby to have both a mommy and a daddy * The specialness of being made a boy or a girl * Proper names for private body parts Spend a few special moments with your child and The Story of Me, sharing the stories of God’s wonderful love and the marvelous body that is His special gift! 

 

Baby, Baby, Baby! –  Little baby does various activities with each member of the family (Mom, Dad, Grandma, Grandpa, Kitty, and Puppy). Then it’s time for bedtime hugs and kisses!  Author: Marilyn Janovitz

 

God Gave Us You –  When a charming polar bear cub climbs into bed one night, she asks her Mama a very important question–one that little “human cubs” often wonder about, too: “Where did I come from?” 
As Mama bear tucks her youngest cub under the quilts, she gently, tenderly, and reassuringly communicates the message loving parents everywhere (bears and non-bears alike) want their little ones to hear: “We wanted you very, very much, and we are so very glad because—God gave us you.” Author: Lisa Tawn Bergren

 

A Blessing From Above –  Every night before she goes to sleep, a kangaroo prays under the stars for a baby to love and hold. One day, as she rests under a tree, a baby bird falls out of its crowded nest—plop!—right into her pouch! 

 

What books have you read to your children while expecting  new baby to prepare them for what is to come? 

 

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Comments

  1. These are good reads, I know with my two oldest we used books as a way to get them to understand and be excited about a new baby.

  2. Such a great book selection. Have you ever heard of You Are All My Favorites? It’s another goodie. It’s not so much a book about becoming an new big brother or sister but it helps little ones understand that love is limitless and even though a parent’s attention will now need to be shared with a new baby in the picture, it doesn’t mean that a child is loved any less or differently. Great post. Thanks!

  3. We read the Berenstain Bears book to my daughter when I was expecting my son. She really liked the Berenstain Bears anyway so it seemed like a perfect way to get her to wrap her mind around the new baby.

  4. Those are great books, and reading to kids is such a great thing to do. I find we bond with our grandson just doing this little enjoyable thing…and he loves it so much.

  5. What a wonderful way to introduce a sibling to being a big brother or sister. Books are great way to help them learn.

  6. I did this with my kids too. It really was great to read a few of these to them as they had way more questions than I thought and it gave us a chance to really talk and answer their questions.

  7. I love this. We read so many books when I was pregnant with my son! Now if I were to ever have a third, my oldest would be old enough to read to us too!

  8. I had read the Berenstein Bear’s book to my son when I was expecting his little brother. I’ve never heard of the rest of these, but the next time I’m going to a mom’s second baby shower, I know what to get her!

  9. Well you should know which books to read after 5! That’s great! We had books for our son when we expecting his little brother! I’m sure it helped with the transition.

  10. Robin (Masshole Mommy) says:

    When I was pregnant with my little one, my oldest was only 2 so he was too young to understand what was going on. We told him, but until the baby was here, he didn’t really get it.

  11. These are all good books to read to a child who will be a big sister or big brother soon. I think it would be a good idea to explain this to them. and prepare them for the arrival of the new baby. Sibling rivalry is a difficult thing to deal with.

  12. Reading books to children to prepare them for new additions to the family is extremely helpful. Where is Baby’s Belly Button is a really good book.

  13. Janeane Davis says:

    It is good to explain to children new arrivals in a way they can understand and appreciate.

  14. laura londergan says:

    ahhhh congrats and these are all such great selections. I especially love the God gave us you book – such a great read!

  15. These are great books! I think this will program that mind of young kids about their upcoming new sibling.

  16. I always read the Berenstain bears book to my kiddos when expecting. This time around I have to see what I can find. My older kids already know and are excited but I’d love to read to my little two and see how they are feeling!

  17. What a great way to introduce a new baby into the family. I use to love reading with my mum as a child so this would have been a great way to educate me about my siblings.

  18. We had the first two, and the Joanna Cole one. The Joanna Cole was my absolute favorite, such a sweet book!

  19. These are some great titles to enjoy when pregnant. I enjoyed reading childrearing books when I was pregnant to get different perspectives.

  20. Oh this is awesome. A great way to prepare the little kids for the new addition!

  21. Some wonderful books to read which will be so helpful in explaining children at home about the new baby arrival, as it is the best easy method to make them understand & prepare for it.

  22. CourtneyLynne says:

    These are some great books!!! Percent for my toddler!

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